Invisible Manchester Walking Tours
Invisible Manchester Walking Tours is based in Manchester, Greater Manchester, and offers a professional and friendly team to help you have a great time and enjoy the experiences available.
Welcome to Invisible (Manchester)! We offer friendly walking tours of Manchester that showcase some of the city's historical landmarks and explore the social projects that make the city what it is.
Our experienced tour guides, all of whom have been affected by homelessness, simply live and breathe the city, and offer their own personal insight into the past, present and future.
Activities at Invisible Manchester Walking Tours include:
- Ales & Alleyways: Andy's Stories of Pubs
- Wonderwalk Through Manchester with Nic
- Stephen’s Tour: We Built This City From Depression
We have also included their opening times and contact details. If you have any questions, you can contact the venue directly.
Facilities
Activities available in this location
Open Times
Contact
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M3 1SX
Gallery
Ales & Alleyways: Andy's Stories of Pubs
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Outdoor
In the 1980s, Andy and his pals fell in love with Manchester’s bustling nightlife and rock music scene. Today he leads you on a guided tour of Manchester, taking the very same route of his nights out in the 1980s, but this time reflecting on how the venues have played a significant role in shaping Manchester’s history.
Each stop on the tour intelligently weaves elements of his memories, the story of that specific venue, and how it is contextualised in Manchester’s history. He touches on music, the suffragettes, football, Peterloo, Little Ireland and art in Manchester. You will be amazed by the transformation of the city today as you glimpse into the past, perhaps even learning about some buildings that have vanished to make way for Manchester’s new skyline.
The great British pub is a hallmark of British society and culture, serving both positive and negative connotations. Please note, the tour discusses themes of drinking and alcohol but there is no drinking whilst on the tour. We hope that instead, the tour will help spread awareness about the links between alcoholism and homelessness - it is simultaneously ‘caused by’ and ‘a cause’ of homelessness
Tour Highlights
If you are looking for a general history tour of Manchester, encompassing all things from specific personal tales to historical facts, then Andy’s tour is for you! An added bonus is that his corny humour will leave you chuckling as you navigate to and from each stop.
Useful Information
What to expect?
Your experience starts by the front entrance of Manchester Cathedral. You will be able to spot Andy with his green hoodie on. You'll stop at some of the following pubs along the way, we won't list them all as we want to keep some surprises:
- Old Wellington and Sinclairs Oyster bar
- Sam’s Chophouse
- Mr.Thomas Chophouse
- Old Nag’s Head
- The Briton’s Protection
- Pevril of the Peak
- Little Ireland
The tour will end outside The Salisbury, which is directly in front of Oxford Street Station.
Wonderwalk Through Manchester with Nic
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Outdoor
This tour of Manchester maps the city’s illustrious history of music and art, focusing on the venues and musicians which have helped to shape Manchester’s music scene.
‘Wonderwalk’ will be led by Nic, a friendly and entertaining tour guide, who wants you to fall in love with the music of Manchester as he did from an early age.
With every turn, and every stop, Nic will brighten and enlighten you with tales and stories that combine the city’s and his own rich musical experience. You’ll be taken on a journey through the Rave Revolution, sparked by the hacienda, to the presence of reggae at Thirsty Scholar, and not forgetting the classical opera scene at the Royal Northern College of Music and Bridgewater Hall. The tour champions the legacy of Madchester that will never be lost, but also supports and empowers our smaller venues (which is now more important than ever) who play a huge part in the city’s never-ending, unique music scene.
Nic strongly believes music is for everyone. Within the tour he takes you to corners of the city’s community that inspire and introduce music, art and dance to those who are isolated or anxious.
Nic lives his life by these words: music is medicine, music lifts your spirit, softens your heart and brings people together.
Tour Highlights
If you’re passionate about art, music and all things Manchester, this tour ticks all of the boxes. Manchester is the beating heart and music capital of the UK, and Nic’s extensive knowledge does it complete justice. With his cheerful attitude and light-hearted nature, you’ll be sure to leave the tour with a smile on your face.
Useful Information
What to expect
The tour begins at the Whitworth Art Gallery, where you’ll be greeted by a welcoming Nic (you’ll recognise him instantly, wearing a green hoodie and a big smile!) Embarking on your adventure, you’ll head up Oxford Road towards the city centre, learning about historical art and music along the way. Expect to have your eyes opened to the less-well-known corners of the city, as Nic invites you to uncover the forgotten stories that shape Manchester; the stories that have made it what it is today.
During the walk (which is just under two miles) you’ll visit places including:
- Big Hands - The first venue on the tour, a small place with a BIG reputation.
- Contact Theatre - With a focus on introducing the arts to members of the community who otherwise may not get to experience it, this is a key stop on Nic’s tour.
- Royal Northern College of Music - The globally renowned conservatoire that hosts an incredibly diverse range of public performances.
- Deaf Institute - A grand gothic-style building with a fascinating history, Nic explores the intricate architecture of this classic Manchester venue.
- Dance House - Like stepping into a time machine, this building transports you back to 1930 when it was opened as the world’s first twin cinema. Nearly a century later it has transformed into a reputable venue for dance, comedy and theatre.
- HOME Liberal Arts Centre - Adding a personal touch to the tour, Nic shares his personal claim to fame as he starred in the film Traidout that premiered at this prestigious venue. This was part of an 'Acting on Impulse' collaborative project which Nic heard about through his involvement with Back on Track. https://www.actingonimpulse.net/
We’ve left some of the less-well-known stops off this list, so if you’re intrigued - you’ll have to join us on Nic’s tour!
The tour ends at Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street. This spot is bang in the middle of town, with easy walkable access to major tram routes and Oxford Road, Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly Train Stations.
Stephen’s Tour: We Built This City From Depression
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Outdoor
This tour transports you back to a time where Manchester looked very different. We Built This City From Depression uncovers the tombstones that the Northern city’s roots have grown over. With each step that Stephen takes, the city’s past starts to live and breathe again, unveiling the cobbled streets and working people that made Manchester what it is today.
Ever wondered why Manchester is proudly associated with the symbol of the bee? From the Great Depression, to the artistic work of Lowry. From the industrial revolution, to the IRA bombing that led to the regeneration of our city. This tour captures the hurdles Manchester has overcome. By sharing the darkness and shadows of Manchester’s past, Stephen’s stories show that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Stephen came to Manchester as a young boy, and became homeless as a teenager. His tour takes you on an extraordinary journey of other young people from Manchester’s past that have also suffered. We Built This City From Depression is an insight to the issues surrounding class and social deprivation from the 18th century to modern day.
Stephen connects the tour together by sharing his own memories of homelessness and poverty. From sleeping on the streets at a young age, Stephen shares his first-hand experience of how Manchester has radically changed.
Useful Information
Tour Highlights
Stephen will collect you from Victoria Train Station and lead you to start of the tour at the C.S.W Tobacco Factory, directly northeast of the city centre. You will be welcomed by Stephen and his big smile (he’ll also be wearing a green hoodie!)
During the 1 and a half hour walk you’ll visit places including:
- C.S.W Tobacco Factory - A building that resides in the heart of the city, is key to our history, but has been forgotten about… until now.
- Angel Meadows - “The depot for the dead”. Ste will lead you into the Victorian underworld of one of the most dangerous slums of the Industrial Revolution.
- Victoria Train Station - Unveiling the spirits of Manchester, the stories from this stop will stay with you long after the tour has finished.
- Corn Exchange - This stunning building will captivate your imagination as you’re transported back in time to the old markets that used to exist here.
We’ve kept a few stops secret, so you’ll have to come on the tour to find out more!
The tour ends on Chorlton Street, a stone's throw away from Canal Street, with easy walkable access to major tram routes and Piccadilly, Oxford Road, Manchester Victoria Train Stations.