Nadezhda Gorkunova | Feb 5, 2018

Love this place, been here with all my friends visiting Manchester. Always enjoying it as for a first time. Love the shop too, got a massive umbrella with world map on for no money! Great location and Amazon architecture blend.

Pavan Rao | Feb 10, 2018

Excellent place to spend about an hour at least. Wonderful architecture and lots to learn. The Reading hall is the highlight Ofcourse. The shop is pretty well curated and the cafe though contemporary is a nice place to drop in for a coffee after

Ian Hartnell | Nov 26, 2017

Fantastic place to explore, wander and just scan the titles. The exhibitions change regularly and are interesting and well thought out. There is a dash of technology (touchscreens etc) to explore information about the exhibitions, which is a nice contrast to the old. The gift shop is extensive with some really interesting books and gifts, and all the staff were attentive and welcoming. Would highly recommend.

Wayne Ng | Mar 4, 2018

Beautiful example of gothic architecture. What a visual spectacle. The stained glass is gorgeous and detailed. The gothic arches are sublime. The outside architecture is just the start. Get inside for a closer look. It is a somewhat functioning library in that therenare desks to quietly go about your work. But, bring headphones as the tourists will distract you otherwise. Didn't see any books you could loan or reference though so you'll have to be pegged to the net for your info.

Be Happy | Nov 5, 2017

Constantly revisiting this place, they always host fresh new exhibitions but the building itself is simply nice to explore. I could spend hours scanning the titles of this book collection and still want to go back for more. Gift shop has some interesting titles and quirky gifts for book lovers too. :) Should definitely be on every tourists to-do list!

Wayne Ng | Mar 31, 2018

Beautiful example of gothic architecture. What a visual spectacle. The stained glass is gorgeous and detailed. The gothic arches are sublime. The outside architecture is just the start. Get inside for a closer look. It is a somewhat functioning library in that there are desks to quietly go about your work. But, bring headphones as the tourists will distract you otherwise. Didn't see any books you could loan or reference though so you'll have to be pegged to the net for your info (didn't notice any wifi though). Pop up the stairs so you get a good luck of the high ceiling and its architecture.

Marc WALTER | Apr 1, 2018

A wonderful place. An active old library who had kept is ancient look. Long wall of book,callm and serenity. Maiby an HP looklike but its a really plesant place. In bonus, the ancient toilet are always functionnal.

David Kenny | Apr 24, 2018

An excellent Neo Gothic sand stone building housing the John Rylands library collection. People can join and able to read on request the books therein. Regular tours are available (book in advance) both general and behind the scenes where you gain privilege access to the book depository in the cellars that have glass floors and the upper reading rooms. Staff are helpful and informative. The tours are well worth booking.

Kira Mansfield | Apr 24, 2018

The library is absolutely magnificent. If you took away the books you would swear you were in a very ornate Gothic church. This library is well worth a visit. Free entry - donation box at the entrance.

James Eaton-Brown | Apr 27, 2018

An historic and truly incredible piece of architecture, crammed to the rafters with fascinating items. A guided tour (starts at 3PM in the entrance lobby) is highly recommend.

Patricia Perez | Apr 1, 2018

I visited the library several times and it is beautiful and the people is lovely. Unfortunately, today Google says that it is open and we are outside the building and it is close. Quite disappointed.

Emils Cirulis | Jul 2, 2018

Great library to be visited while in Manchester. The design is amazing and support much history lays into it. Inside is wonderful and has many great historical items you are allowed to look at. Entrance is completely for free and library is op-ed every day of the week but only between Christmas and New Year is closed. Don't hesitate and check out this library, it's one thing to see once you in Manchester.

Ben Morris | Jun 28, 2018

This is not so much a 'working library' during the day which is probably best as it allows the visitor to walk around knowing that they are not disturbing others. A beautiful building, hard to believe it wasn't a church. There are several displays on the theme of books (unsurprisingly). Free to enter and it's location means that it's easy to visit. The contrast of old and new outside is also impressive.

Mayookh Lad | Jul 18, 2018

A must visit, if you are a tourist in the city or if you want a few hours out with children. The architecture is magnificent and takes you back in time. As a local you can have access to the library books. It is more of a museum of books than a library. Afternoon tea in the cafe is recommended, as it was a nice experience; but have heard of it being nice at times as the place can get very crowded.

Alvin Wong | Jul 14, 2018

This was one of the places I wanted to see while visiting Manchester. It's a beautiful library blending the architecture of the new modern building with the older heritage library. What's also nice is that there isn't any admission fee, you can wander around as long as you'd like.

Peter Marosan | Aug 17, 2018

Amazing library, must see if you visited the town. You could register online before your visit to read/see rare books from their fantastic collection.