Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Johnny James, Managing Editor

With its rich industrial past, iconic architecture and vibrant arts scene, Manchester is a city that begs to be explored step by step. It’s the only way to truly connect with the place. But one better than strolling solo is to book onto a walking tour, led by a guide who knows the city like the back of their hand.

Enter Jonathan Schofield, Manchester’s top walking tour provider and a registered Blue Badge Guide since 1996. What Jonathan and his team don’t know about this city isn’t worth knowing, and the mix of information and entertainment they bring is pitch perfect.

Led by a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide, you’ll get closer to the sights, sounds, and feel of the city. You’ll also uncover more than meets the eye. After all, this is a city of stories. Of people who shattered convention. Of ideas that changed the world. Of workers, of thinkers, of dreamers.

The walking tours below will place you at the heart of these stories, while Jonathan Schofield and his team bring them to vivid life. Some take place in the city centre, others leafy suburbs, and there are even a few walks near Manchester, for those wishing to nip beyond the city limits.

Whether you’re a history buff, culture enthusiast, or just looking to uncover the soul of Manchester, these Manchester walking tours are the perfect way to get to know the city a whole lot better.

Our top picks

The Manchester Music Walkabout

The Manchester Music Walkabout at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Until 6 December 2025, from £25.00 - Book now

Manchester’s famous musical legacy comes to life in this walking tour around the city, which will take you from the 1960s to the present day as you tread in the footsteps of everyone from Joy Division to Oasis.

Walking Tour Stock imagery
istock.com - Iryna Melnyk

The Manchester Pub Walkabout

The Manchester Pub Walkabout at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, Until 6 December 2025, from £25.00 - Book now

Stagger across three hundred years of Manchester’s drinking history in one of the city’s most fun-loving walking tours, packed with fascinating stories, brilliantly bizarre facts and hilarious fun and games.

Bars
Band on the Wall

Secrets of The University of Manchester with Interior Visits

Secrets of The University of Manchester with Interior Visits at The University of Manchester, Manchester, Until 9 October 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

Epic architecture, hidden green spaces and ideas that changed the world. The University of Manchester is home to some incredible stories, and this walking tour places you at the heart of them.

The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester

Truly Madly Brutal

Truly Madly Brutal at New Century, Manchester, 6 April 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

Explore the fascinating history of Manchester’s love-hate Brutalist buildings, while also learning about the movement’s wider intentions and ideals.

Manchester Town Hall
Manchester Town Hall

Worsley – The Delph to the Old Hall

Worsley - The Delph to the Old Hall, 13 April 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

Take a stroll around the internationally important village of Worsley, taking in a superb canalscape and a Scheduled Monument that was pivotal to infrastructure during the Industrial Revolution.

Bridgewater Canal
Bridgewater Canal

Secrets of Ancoats and New Islington

Secrets of Ancoats and New Islington, 12 April–12 July 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

From years spent languishing in post-industrial decline to being crowned one of ‘the coolest neighbourhoods in the world’ in the blink of an eye. What’s the story here?

Cutting Room Square
JJ.

Secrets of Chapel Street, Salford

Secrets of Chapel Street, Salford at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, 26 April 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

At the centre of Salford you’ll find Chapel Street and Greengate, areas that have come vibrantly to life in recent years. But they’re also packed with a history of pioneering achievement in art, architecture and absurdity.

The Kings Arms - Bloom Street
Jonathan Schofield

Chetham’s Medieval Buildings

Chetham's Medieval Buildings at Chetham’s Library, Manchester, 7 May–10 September 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

With a history stretching back to the 1420s, Chetham’s Library and the surrounding school are among the most venerable buildings in the North West. Exploring their interiors is a rare privilege, and one granted to Jonathan Schofield Tours.

After Hours at Chetham's Library
Chetham's Library

The Secrets of Heaton Hall and Park

The Secrets of Heaton Hall and Park at Heaton Park, Manchester, 8 June 2025, from £25.00 - Book now

James Wyatt was one of the great architects of his day and Heaton Hall is one of his masterworks, built in phases between 1778 and 1789. This guided tour includes a rare visit inside the house where you’ll explore its glorious interiors.

Heaton Hall
Heaton Hall

Secrets of Stockport

Secrets of Stockport, Until 1 November 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

The ‘new Berlin’, which it’s been dubbed recently, might be a bit of a stretch, but Stockport is most certainly on a meteoric rise, with so much of interest to see and learn here.

Stockport Plaza
Stockport Plaza
Photo of the exterior of the Palace Hotel
Spotlight on

Hotels in Manchester

To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to Manchester's best hotels.

Take me there

More things to do in Manchester

Free Activity at Aviva Studios
ComedyManchester
Free Activity at Aviva Studios

From comedy nights to drop-in family craft sessions, Factory International bring an accessible and inclusive programme of event this winter – the best thing, it’s all free.

free entry
Set Dressing Press Image
MusicManchester
Set Dressing at P3 Annihilation Eve

An exciting new project is born as Scott Fair – the guitarist and producer of Manchester’s hyped noise band Mandy, Indiana – announces a new musical venture in Set Dressing.

free entry

All Jonathan Schofield Walking Tours

Stockport Plaza
Until
TourManchester
Secrets of Stockport

Join Jonathan Schofield Tours and explore the fascinating stories and stunning architecture of a town on a meteoric rise.

from £20.00
Southern Cemetary Chorlton by Tom Jeffs
TourChorlton
Southern Cemetery Tour

Within Chorlton’s Southern Cemetery lie fascinating stories, beautiful architectural details, and the inspiration behind one of The Smith’s best songs.

from £20.00
Manchester Town Hall
TourManchester
Truly Madly Brutal

Explore the fascinating history of Brutalism in Manchester, while also exploring the movement’s wider intentions and ideals.

from £20.00
The Kings Arms - Bloom Street
TourManchester
Secrets of Chapel Street, Salford

Uncover the fascinating stories that lie beneath two vibrant Salford areas, packed with a history of pioneering achievement in art, architecture and absurdity.

from £20.00
Ego Death
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Hidden Bars in Manchester

Manchester's best secret, hidden and hard to find bars - here's our guide.

Take me there
image shows pinned butterflies and pretty paper with frames
Spotlight on

Tours and Activities in the North

Boozy tours, art workshops and a 'hobby house' that champions all things DIY, get the creative cogs whirring with our latest batch of tours and activities.

Take me there

Culture guides

  • A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
    Cinema in the North

    Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

  • Theatre in Manchester and the North
    Theatre in the North

    Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

  • the artist
    Music in the North

    The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

  • A large sphere floats in a dark room with an ornate wall pattern, flanked by two arched windows and a checkered floor.
    Exhibitions in the North

    From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.

  • Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
    Literature Events in the North

    It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

  • Classical Music in the North

    Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

  • image shows pinned butterflies and pretty paper with frames
    Tours and Activities in the North

    Boozy tours, art workshops and a 'hobby house' that champions all things DIY, get the creative cogs whirring with our latest batch of tours and activities.

Hotels in Manchester

ABode Manchester
Manchester
Hotel
ABode Manchester

ABode Manchester is a boutique hotel. With a signature restaurant and bar. Conveniently situated Near Piccadilly Station.

Manchester
Hotel
Hatters Hostel Newton Street

A hostel in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Ideally located just minutes away from Piccadilly train station, the hostel offers guest free breakfast and Wi-Fi. Beneath the hostel sit Hold Fast Bar, a Jules Verne inspired bar which stays open late.

Velvet Hotel
Canal Street
Hotel
Velvet Hotel

Elegantly designed and packed with character, Velvet Hotel is a 4* boutique hotel on Canal Street, the heart of Manchester’s famous Gay Village.

Manchester
Hotel
Dakota Manchester

Dakota is a top tier luxury hotel near Piccadilly Station, featuring the largest suite in Manchester, a Champagne Room and Cigar Garden.