Freedoma's Blog

Manchester’s libraries are the best places to hang out in when the rain sets in. You can sit there for hours, and go in when it’s light and come out when it’s dark-a bit like the pub but only cheaper… I’m a big reader myself and like to read fiction books, and Manchester libraries have thousands of books to read or borrow for free. I’ve written a blog on a few libraries in the area. See if it whets your appetite for reading………

John Rylands Library-150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH

John Rylands has recetly been renovated andis free to go in. The grandeur and detail is amazing. Strangley it’s best seen on a sunny day as the light comes through the windows in main hall. It also contains the earliest fragment of the New Testament known. The second best Manchester library, closely following Manchester Central. With stunning architecture and the best library in terms of book selection, John Rylands certainly stands out from the rest of the Manchester libraries, with Central library being probably the only exception.

Central library- St Peter’s Square, City Centre, Manchester, M2 5PD

The main Manchester library is Manchester Central, located in St Peter’s Square in the centre of town. It has it’s own coffee shop and theatre, but perhaps the best part of it is the Manchester archive library, the local history section. Me, being the geek I am, has spent ages in there looking at the books on Manchester’s history-and there’s an extensive records section for those of you who are into their family genealogy. There’s also software available where you can search the 1880 census- see who lived in your house back then, what they did, what their servants were called………it’s quite fascinating. There is a general reader’s library with a big reference book section, and a huge computer cluster. As mentioned it does have it’s own theatre and theatre company, (for the more refined amongst you!) and the two times I’ve been it’s been an enjoyable night. Manchester Central library is worth a visit.

Chorlton Library- Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9PN

Chorlton library was the saviour of last summer for me because I was bored and this was a good place to come in and spend the day reading. The fiction and reference sections are both quite big, and since the refurb they now have toilets which was something they were lacking before. This is probably the best library in terms of interior, as I find Central quite gloomy. The library building itself is nice and is located a short bus ride away from Manchester city centre or a walk away from the centre of Chorlton. Chorlton library have an audio book section, and even a small foreign languages section with Urdu and Polish books available to borrow. Once a week the children’s book section has a reading. And there are a dozen or so computers for people to use as long as they book in advance. Some customers are on first name terms with the library staff, which is a sign of good customer service. Not as good as Manchester central but for it’s size, Chorlton library is still a good local library.

Withington library- 410 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 3BN

Like Chorlton, Withington library has not long been refurbished. On the busiest bus route in Europe, the library is easily accessible by car or public transport. One of the lesser-known Manchester libraries, Withington still has everything you want from a local library-with basically the same facilities as Chorlton library but with a bigger reference book section. All Manchester libraries offer free newspapers to read and I have often sat at a table in Withington library with a huge mound of papers ranging from tabloid to broadsheet and been kept entertained for a couple of hours- because that’s what libraries are about essentially, somewhere to go to pass time as well as being a borrowing service.

Didsbury library-692 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2DN

Out of the suburban Manchester libraries, this has got to be the best library in terms of architecture. Located in a grade II listed building which looks more like a church than a library, Didsbury library has all the standard facilities of local Manchester libraries, however, only a handful of computers compared to the others.

So if any of you are bookworms, then I suggest you get down to a Central, which I crown as the best out of the Manchester libraries. Most facilities are free or only for a small charge, and it’s a good investment to make because you will have bed-time reading as well or an audio book to listen to when you’re having a bath…….if that’s what floats your boat…..

Jamie Doherty

A Sunday stroll is always a good thing after a long week. Somewhere green and beautiful, or indeed somewhere of historical interest, and a picnic, and that’s your day complete. A perfect way to round off the week….

Urmston Meadows

This stretch of meadow is right by the River Mersey and is perfect for walking dogs, horse riding and other activities. Accessed by a bridge over the Mersey, I’ve spent many a day here as a kid collecting berries and looking at the butterflies. There’s an old Victorian rubbish dump on the meadows and I’ve often seen people digging for old bottles there (although the farmer doesn’t like it much!)Not only makes it a place of relative natural beauty it’s also a place of historical interest, because going round picking up the old bottles, you can really piece together some of the social fabric and local history of the area. Good fun as long as it’s not chucking it down.

Sale Water Park

Sale water park is a beautiful place, tucked away behind the Manchester orbital motorway. In summer it’s great to stroll round the perimeter of the lake and watch the fishermen and boatmen at work. I’m also told that Decker’s restaurant is nice, which is by the car park. There’s a play area for children. It’s almost like a makeshift track, so perfect for running, walking or cycling around. It links well with Chorlton meadows and Stretford and Sale Ees, other local places of natural beauty. The more sprightly among you can rent a powerboat and zip across the lake, although I prefer to stand on the jetty and watch…

Wythenshawe Hall

Wythenshawe Hall was built in the 16th century. Standing in the grounds of Wythenshawe Park, I have been many a time on visits to the park. Of significant local historical interest, Oliver Cromwell’s army besieged the hall in the 17th century. Half-timbered, and Grade II listed, the hall has been a museum since 1930. Decadently furnished, you could almost imagine yourself living there and being lord of the manor…Only open one day a week for three months of the year though, it is however free, and the staff are friendly. They actively encourage you to sign the guest book and tell them of your experience of the hall, and mine is always a good response.

Castlefield

Castlefield is the old centre of Roman Manchester and a place of significant local interest. There’s a Roman fort here and I’ve been on numerous school trips to it, hearing from the guides about the history of Manchester. The modern mural on the wall of Roman soldiers is quite something and it’s also the location of the oldest surviving railway station in the world. Much redevelopment has made it a swanky area of flats, bistro bars and the like but it will always maintain its history and charm It used to be an area of warehouses and canal basins back in the day, but now looks modern and cutting edge. The fort does look out of place but it’s refreshing to get a bit of history and culture away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Castleton-

A tiny but vibrant village in the Peak District is about an hour’s drive from Manchester, but well worth it as it’s a place of natural beauty and historical interest. A place that holds memories school field trips and family outings for me, Castleton is really worth a visit. The focal point is the castle on the hill, which attracts many a crowd on a summer’s day. The fish and chips are nice from the takeaway, and when you’re done climbing mountains there’s the lovely Castle Hotel pub for a refreshing drink. Perhaps the most interesting place is Cavedale, an old river valley where lots of fossils can be still found. I remember as a youngster picking up small slabs of rock with animals and crustaceans fossilised inside-amazing, eh?! There is also a lead mine where you can take boat trips through, and a small amount of the rare Blue John lead is mined locally.

Now you know the places to go. If you’re ever bored on a Sunday or half-term you can take the kids out and enjoy these places of natural beauty and historical interest of Manchester (and beyond).

Jamie Doherty