How to visit the John Rylands Library in Manchester: opening times

In your Manchester sightseeing tour, to the north of England, you should not miss visiting the John Rylands Library.

Furthermore, it is one of the essential visits in Manchester if you like the gothic style architecture, the same architectural style of the city's main monument, the Town hall.

This building is currently the headquarters of a university library.

But in this respect it stands out for the impressive collection of books of great historical value that preserves, and specifically, one of the most important papyrus collections of the United Kingdom, which once belonged to John Rylands, a Manchester textile industry magnate.

You should know that, in reality, the building is a relatively recent construction, as it was inaugurated in the year 1900, but it is another example of the late gothic style very common in Great Britain.

La John Rylands Library You find it in one of the most interesting areas of the city, the street Deansgate,

Specifically, near the very interesting MOSI Museum of Science and Industry, and next to Spiningfields financial area.

Externally, the building will not attract much attention, as it is also surrounded by modern buildings.

What's more, the entrance to the library is located in a modern annex building, from where you will access the neo-Gothic building, in a curious contrast of environments.

What to see when visiting the John Rylands Library

Already walking the stairs and corridors of the John Rylands Library You will be surprised by the Gothic decoration, with sculptures, stained glass windows and even domes.

But the most spectacular corner is, without a doubt, the main venue of the university library, whose central room is dominated by two large stained glass windows that at times transport you to the central nave of a Gothic cathedral.

In the room you must move with total silence, because I remind you that you are in a university library, which you can see by seeing numerous students in different corners of it.

Since 1972 it became a library open to university students.

In the John Rylands Library there is usually exhibitions and you can also participate in guided tours in groups. You can also do the visit with an audio guide.

Visiting hours of the John Rylands Library

The Visiting hours of the John Rylands Library in Manchester They are, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m., and Sundays and Mondays, from 12 p.m. to 17 p.m.

To visit the library Admission is free, and you can do the visit with the help of a audioguide.

Photos from the John Rylands Library

Below you have some photos from the John Rylands Library in Manchester.