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The John Rylands Library, Manchester

4.8
#3 of 397 in Things to do in Manchester
Library · Traveler Resource
Open to the public since 1900, The John Rylands Library is home to over 250,000 books and over one million manuscripts. Inspired by neo-Gothic cathedral aesthetics, the library's arched buttressed ceilings, ornate windows, and spires make a palatial space. The library merged with the university in 1972, and researchers and students haunt the aisles. Keep your voice hushed as you tour the manuscript exhibits and shelves, then enjoy browsing through a text in the same halls as the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. A visit to The John Rylands Library represents just the start of the adventure when you use our Manchester trip planner to plot your vacation.
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The John Rylands Library reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
5,486 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • By shamsorunited
    Located tlin the center of Manchester, this represent one of the best place you should visit here. A full immersion in history of this city. Ancient library with a unique books, you could be lucky...  more »
  • By Giada T
    The atmosphere is IMMACULATE. Amazing building with a very interesting back history, it is indeed on of the best places to visit in Manchester, no doubt.  more »
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Google
  • By OfficialG Tui
    What an iconic library. The more I look up, the more spectacular it is. Beautiful corridors and statues. Such an amazing time in the library. It would be great to put up signs of "silence" because I saw people studying and families who kept talking out loud in the same room.
  • By Martin Harvey
    One of the finest buildings in Manchester. Gothic style with modern extension done sympathetically to bring you in from Deansgate. Built to the highest standards and opened in 1900 it has been a library from day one and although envisaged as a lending library it is now a reference library only but anyone can register. The interior is almost cathedral like in nature and the attention to detail and level of craftsmanship is phenomenal. Often likened to Hogwarts and easy to see why if you visit.
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