Last chance to book the 2023 SAHGB Study Tour to Manchester

The city of Manchester has few parallels in its evolving success story of heritage regeneration, a key strength of the urban development taking shape in so many of its neighbourhoods. The SAHGB warmly invites members to enjoy a 2.5 day tour this September, led by expert historians and architects, that we hope will reveal the best of these projects at the stages they have reached today, while keeping alive the traces of many periods, people, cultural and campaigning influences.

The study tour will begin on Thursday 21 September, with an optional itinerary offered for the afternoon, to allow our party to visit unique sites including Murray’s Mills, in the Ancoats Conservation Area, and Chetham’s Library, the oldest public library in Britain, housed in premises dating back to 1421. Marking the official welcome to the study tour, an evening drinks reception and the keynote lecture, given by Art and Architecture historian Professor Mark Crinson, will take place in the elegant surroundings of the Portico Library. Professor Crinson has also contributed one of our latest podcast episodes in the ‘Constructing Coloniality’ mini-series.

Friday 22 September will be spent in the heart of Manchester, with a walking tour devoted to the central thoroughfares to glimpse the perspectives offered by the city’s churches; its civic buildings; the monuments to wealth and industry, nudging open doors to the halls of retail and entertainment - designed in daring new styles; and, yes, another astonishing library, the John Rylands Institute and Library. The afternoon will be spent in a visit to the Manchester Town Hall Extension and Archive, part of the six-year ‘Our Town Hall’ redevelopment project that is transforming the very centre. In the evening, a special dinner will be served at the former Freemasons’ Hall, Manchester Hall.

On Saturday, a choice of itineraries is on offer. Delegates may go by coach to Heaton Park, for a morning visit to the Park and the C 18th Heaton Hall, the work of architect James Wyatt. The Park is home to the portico of Manchester’s first Town Hall, saved from demolition and rebuilt next to the lake by the efforts of Edgar Wood, an avant-garde architect whose work in Middleton will be shown in more depth, on the next stage of the coach tour.

Others may prefer to explore the south of the City Centre in the company of Professor Richard Brook and Architect Mark Watson. The former London Road Fire Station, venerable survivor of dereliction and years on the Buildings-At-Risk register; a tour of the Modernist campus of UMIST; and a guided walk within the Victoria Park Conservation Area, will be some of the areas covered in this itinerary.

While we endeavour to offer access to all planned locations, this programme is provisional and may be subject to changes beyond our control.

Header Image: St. Peter’s Square © @chriscurry92 via Unsplash

Accommodation and meals:

Delegates are requested to book accommodation for themselves, if needed. The tour registration will include dinner at Manchester Hall on Friday; entry tickets where necessary; some catered light refreshments and lunch while on tour on Saturday, but no overnight accommodation. There will be opportunities to buy other refreshments if you wish.

Manchester offers a wide selection of hotels to suit many needs, and has good transport links to other areas in the region. Visit Manchester may be able to assist with the local accommodation selection.

Travel:

You should make arrangements for travel to attend the tour. Local journeys by coach essential to the itinerary on Saturday will be arranged by the SAHGB. Those travelling should be able to gather at meeting points in good time for boarding and departure.

For drivers: many car parks in Manchester are ticketless and use automatic number plate recognition. Information on car parks, including maps and pre-booking options which may be cheaper than on-the-day, is available from https://www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/cities/manchester/.

All bookings must be made in advance. Bookings may not be made for single days. Please register for the tour using the form below.