Hotels near Manchester Cathedral and Chetham's Library

Manchester Cathedral dates from 1421 and carries the widest medieval nave in England. The misericords in the quire, carved between 1505 and 1510, are the finest set in the north of the country - look for the backgammon players and the fox preaching to geese. German bombs in 1940 destroyed the medieval glass, and the replacement windows by Antony Hollaway, installed between 1973 and 1995, are unapologetically modern. Entry is free. Two minutes away on Long Millgate, Chetham's Library has been open to readers since 1653, which makes it the oldest free public library in the English-speaking world.

Marx and Engels worked at a window alcove in Chetham's during the summer of 1845, and the desk is still there. Library visits run as guided tours and need to be reserved; expect around GBP 8. Together the two sites take about two hours.

Pro Tip: Book the Chetham's Library tour for late morning and eat afterwards at the Corn Exchange, four minutes south. Tour slots are limited and the library is closed at weekends during term time.