United Kingdom Manchester Manchester Library

Chetham’s Library & Medieval Buildings

About

Chetham’s Library & Medieval Buildings in Manchester form one of the most atmospheric and historically significant sites in the city. Founded in 1653 by local philanthropist Humphrey Chetham, the library is the oldest free public reference library in the English-speaking world and has remained open to readers ever since. Housed within a remarkable complex of sandstone buildings dating back to 1421, originally built as a college of priests, the site includes a Baronial Hall, cloisters, and domestic quarters that have survived centuries of upheaval2. The library’s interior retains its 17th-century fittings, including chained books, carved oak stools, and the alcove where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels studied in 1845. The buildings also served as a residence, prison, and arsenal before being restored for educational use. Today, Chetham’s is shared with the renowned School of Music and offers guided tours that reveal its layered past—from medieval scholarship to revolutionary thought.

Manchester United Kingdom

Location

Chetham’s Library and its medieval buildings are located on Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB, in the heart of Manchester’s Medieval Quarter. The entrance is through the Gatehouse on Long Millgate, directly opposite the lower end of the National Football Museum and close to Manchester Cathedral and Victoria Station, making it easily accessible by public transport, including tram and bus routes. Founded in 1653 and housed in a beautiful sandstone building dating from 1421, Chetham’s Library is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world and is part of the Chetham’s School of Music complex. The site is renowned for its historic reading rooms, atmospheric cloisters, and the alcove where Marx and Engels worked together in 1845. Nearby, visitors can explore the National Football Museum, Manchester Cathedral, The Stoller Hall, and the bustling shopping and dining areas of the city centre. The area is rich in history and culture, making Chetham’s Library an essential stop for those interested in Manchester’s heritage and its vibrant urban surroundings.