Chetham's Library

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Chetham's Library was founded in 1653 and is the oldest surviving public library in the English speaking world 📚✨

21/10/2026

A guided tour with a twist 🕯️For a limited time only, you can take a guided tour of Chetham's Library after dark, with new early evening lantern tours! Grab a lantern and discover a different side to the UK's oldest public library 🌙
What secrets will you discover by candlelight? ✨

📅12 November, 26 November, 10 December
⌚5:30pm

🎟️ Visit our website to book tickets!

20/10/2026

Imagine spending an autumn afternoon marvelling at towering shelves of books and exploring a medieval library 🍂

We welcome visitors to the Library Monday-Saturday through guided tours. This is the perfect opportunity to learn all about the UK's oldest public Library, and discover interesting quirks and stories from our extensive collection and centuries of history 📚

Visit our website to book a tour today 🔗

18/10/2026

Today marks 178 years since the publication of Elizabeth Gaskell's first novel, Mary Barton 📚

One of the most famous writers to come out of Manchester, Elizabeth Gaskell's work is a time capsule to Victorian life in the city, often exploring the hardships experienced by the working class. At the Library we hold lots of material relating to Elizabeth Gaskell, including five unique copies of Mary Barton 🖊️

We recommend literature lovers to visit our friends at Elizabeth Gaskell's House to find out more about her life and work! From 15 November at the House you can experience the splendour and atmosphere of a Victorian Christmas for their theme this winter 🎄✨

14/10/2026

📚 The librarian who stole the books…

For centuries, libraries have fought to protect their collections. But what happens when the person stealing the books is the librarian? 😲

In this blog, we uncover the extraordinary story of John Edward Tinkler, once Librarian at Chetham’s Library. Dismissed for dealings with rare-book dealers, he later returned to steal a priceless Book of Hours before becoming involved in the theft of 215 rare books and pamphlets from Peterborough Cathedral!

🔗 Read here: library.chethams.com/blog/tinkler-tailor-librarian-thief

13/10/2026

We wish we could be turned into medieval Manchester every day... 🏰
September's Medieval Faire was our biggest event to date, with a record number of visitors - thank you! We saw thrilling battles, drank plenty of mead, learned all about the lives of medieval people and had lots of fun! What were your favourite activities at the Faire? ⚔️🛡️

📸 Drew Forsyth

12/10/2026

Fancy spending Halloween at the UK's oldest public Library? 🎃 Join us for two spooktacular events this October:

Magic Makers 🧙‍♀️ 29 October, 2pm-4pm
We're inviting young witches and wizards to join us for a day of magical arts and craft activities and explore our magnificent medieval building and Library. Fancy dress is encouraged! ✨

Library After Hours 🌙 30 October, 5pm
Join us for an exclusive after hours chance to explore the medieval stone passages, secret staircases and richly panelled rooms of Chetham’s Library 😲

🎟️ Visit our website to book tickets!

07/10/2026

Step out of the hustle and bustle of modern Manchester into a medieval oasis hidden in the city for hundreds of years... ✨
Chetham's Library is the oldest public library in the UK and can be found just a stone's throw from Manchester Victoria station! Explore the mysterious corridors and marvel at the towering shelves holding hundreds of historical books 📚

Book a tour online and discover Chetham's Library 🔗

06/10/2026

Halloween is looming, and we have a few gruesome tales of our own 🎃 From a real human skeleton once displayed in the Library to death masks, mummies, mourning jewellery and the earliest gothic novels, Chetham’s collections reveal a centuries-old fascination with death and the macabre 💀

In this spooky blog, discover the sinister stories hiding in our archives and explore how our enduring fascination with the morbid has shaped literature and culture.

🔗 Read here: library.chethams.com/blog/morbid-curiosities-gothic-stories-in-the-library

05/10/2026

We think the oldest public library in the UK might just be the perfect spot to spend Halloween 😉 Join us for two ghastly events this October:

Magic Makers 🧙‍♀️ 29 October, 2pm-4pm
Calling all young witches and wizards! Join us for a day of magical arts and craft activities and explore our magnificent medieval building and Library. Fancy dress is encouraged! ✨

Library After Hours 🌙 30 October, 5pm
Our fan-favourite event is back! Explore the library after dark and discover secret rooms and passageways usually hidden to the public 😲

🎟️ Visit our website to book tickets!

02/10/2026

What better way to spend autumn than exploring the UK's oldest public library? 🍂

Guided tours of Chetham's Library run Monday-Saturday and are led by our expert staff and volunteers. Step out of the hustle and bustle of the city and learn all about our history while taking in the magical atmosphere ✨📚

🔗Visit our website to book a tour!

Address

Long Millgate
Manchester
M31SB

Telephone

+441618347961

Website

http://www.chethams.org.uk/

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