Chetham's Library

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Chetham's Library

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

29/08/2026

A reminder that Chetham's Library will be closed for the August Bank Holiday on 31 August ☀️ Please visit our website to book other available tours 🔗

28/08/2026

Explore the UK's oldest public library 📚✨
Chetham's Library has been open to the public for over 370 years, and the building is even older! We look after thousands of historical books and curious artefacts, with readers and researchers using our collection every day to assist with their work 📖

You can visit us in Manchester's Medieval Quarter by booking a guided tour online. Spaces go fast - book ahead to avoid disappointment! 📣
🔗 Book here: tinyurl.com/chethamslibrary

27/08/2026

👑 What can a book’s binding tell us about its past?

At Chetham’s Library, some of our most remarkable books carry their histories on their covers. From a manuscript once owned by Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, to a lavishly bound volume belonging to Henry VIII and a red velvet treatise intended for Elizabeth I, these books offer a glimpse into the lives, status and ambitions of their royal owners.

Discover the stories behind four royal books in our latest blog 🔗 Read here: library.chethams.com/blog/fit-for-a-king-royal-bindings-in-chethams-library

26/08/2026

1 month to go until Chetham's Medieval Faire! 🏰 Join us for a free full day of fun for all the family celebrating Manchester's fascinating medieval history.

Take a walking tour of the Medieval Quarter, meet birds of prey, browse stalls from specialist vendors, and enjoy live demonstrations of life in the medieval era 👑 Historical re-enactors from Historia Normannis Manchester will bring the sights and sounds of the Middle Ages to life 🙌 Library tours will also be available to book on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of £8.50!

📆 26 September, 11am-4pm
🔗 No booking needed, just come along on the day! Check out our website to find out more: library.chethams.com/whats-on/medieval-faire-2

25/08/2026

Did you know that if you sign our guestbook when you visit the library, your message will become part of our history? 🖊️
We have a great collection of guestbooks dating all the way back to the 1800s, and we have collected many famous signatures over the years! Don't forget to leave a message in our newest guestbook on your next visit 📖

24/08/2026

Please note that from 28 September, the price of guided tours of Chetham's Library will increase by £2. This decision has not been made lightly and follows careful consideration in response to rising costs.

Income from guided tours plays a vital role in supporting the day-to-day running of the Library. Every ticket purchased directly contributes to the preservation of our historic buildings and collections and allows us to deliver inspiring events and learning opportunities for all ages.

Please be assured that we remain committed to providing excellent value and an enriching visitor experience. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

If you would like to support Chetham's Library in other ways, you can find out more about the different ways to get involved and contribute to our work on our website 🔗 library.chethams.com/support-us

20/08/2026

This magical library in the heart of Manchester has many stories hidden within its medieval walls ✨
It's the place where Marx and Engels discussed their revolutionary ideas, where the mysterious Dr Dee supposedly summoned the devil, and where readers and thinkers have been conducting their research for almost 400 years 📚

What stories might you discover on a guided tour of Chetham's Library? Book online today and find out 🔗 tinyurl.com/chethamslibrary

19/08/2026

Calling all knights and peasants alike! 🏰 Our Medieval Faire is back with a full-day take over of Chetham's to bring us back to the middle ages. Marvel at historical reenactments and striking birds of prey, browse stalls from specialist vendors, and immerse yourself in medieval life ✨

📍Entry is free – simply show up at the gate! It will also be possible to book tours of the library on the day at a cost of £8.50 per person on a first come, first served basis.

📅 Saturday 26 September, 11am-4pm

18/08/2026

Our Audit Room has seen some mysterious things... 😲
The impressive timber ceiling of the Audit Room is home to a number of carvings, including this unusual mouth of hell! With our Audit Room's reputation for the supernatural, it makes you wonder if there are other forces at play here... 👻

Come and see this for yourself on a guided tour and hear all about our history and the fascinating stories of this library! Check out our website to book 🔗

17/08/2026

Last few tickets remaining! 📣 Join us this Thursday evening for our final Unbound workshop, this time tackling calligraphy! Learn how to write in a variety of historic calligraphic scripts, as well as discovering more about the fascinating history of the craft 🪶

📆 20 August, 5:30pm
🔗 Book here: library.chethams.com/whats-on/calligraphy-workshop

Address

Long Millgate
Manchester
M31SB

Telephone

+441618347961

Website

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

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