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Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour

33 Reviews 4.45 out of 5 stars Based on 33 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Manchester, England
Book online or call us

from $12.32 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour Image 1
Manchester Bee
Central Library
Town Hall
Deansgate
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.
2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Spanish
Instant confirmation

Overview

Forget about crowds, schedules or lines! With this self-guided experience, your smartphone is your new private guide.

Stroll around Manchester at your own pace, having the opportunity to take astonishing pictures and enter any attraction you fancy.

You will learn about Manchester's history; from when it was founded as a Roman Fort until it became the amazing city it is today. As you walk through these streets, you will learn about its industrial past, encompassed mostly through its innumerable canals and storehouses all over. You will also learn the role this city played (and still plays) in football, culture, music, art, science, architecture, international relationships and even war; where you’ll get to know every important figure in this tale. Plus, you get a unique list of recommendations so you get the most out of your visit.

PS: when booking, you will get an email with instructions on how to download our app and how to unlock the tour

What's Included

  • Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need
  • You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour
  • Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
  • Any entrance fee for the attractions mentioned during the tour
  • In-person Guide
See 2 moreSee 2 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Manchester M1
UK

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Rice Street
Manchester M3 4JR, UK

The tour finishes at Deansgate, near the Roman Fort.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

A Monument To Vimto

Here is where the tour starts. This is the first stop of 18! You will get a brief description of the whole tour and particularly at this stop, you will discover the amazing history behind the most famous soft drink the North has ever made, which was originally produced in this location.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Alan Turing Memorial

In this stop, we will tell you who was Alan Turing and why was (and still is) so important for the city. Also, you will learn some practical things about Sackville Gardens and all its monuments. You will start to get some perspective of the Gay Village and all its past in Manchester.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Gay Village

We will guide you around this beautiful and emblematic area of Manchester to teach you all about its history. Strolling around Canal Street you will hear about the dark past of the street and how people helped to turn the odds and worked to build the lovely sidewalk it is today.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Chinatown

Walk around the archway and discover the amazing shops and restaurants of this ethnic enclave. You will learn who's city is Manchester twin in China and why the archway was built here.
Read more

10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

St Peter's Square

We will guide you through the famous St Peter Square and you will learn everything you need to know about this place and its emblematic buildings: Manchester Central Library, the oldest free library in the country; The Midland Hotel, one of the first luxury hotels in the north; Manchester Town Hall, one of the most beautiful town hall in the country; and more. You will also hear every exciting story that happened here in the past and understand why it is called St Peter Square.
Read more

15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Bridgewater Hall

Discover the incredible Bridgewater Hall and all its surrounding area charged with vivid history. We will also tell you two of the north's most horrible stories that happened in the past that haunts citizens until today: The first in 1819 and the second in 1963, both in the premises of Manchester Central Station.
Read more

15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Royal Exchange Theatre

Here you will learn all about the Cotton Industry, how it developed so strongly in Manchester and what were the consequences for the city. You will understand the pivotal role that this building played in the industrial past of Manchester. Here, we will tell you the story of the IRA Bomb as well and how it affected the entire city.
Read more

15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Shambles

Definitely the most beautiful square around the city centre. Here you will see the oldest pub in town and learn about its history, so you understand why it is typically full (and relatively cheap). Also, you will learn about the boom of the cotton industry and how it made an opportunity to exploit the trade of other markets through the Royal Corn Exchange (another astonishing building in this square).
Read more

10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Manchester Cathedral

We will guide you around the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Manchester, the seat of the Bishop of Manchester and the city's parish church. Manchester Cathedral is one of the many emblems of the city, and it's a must-visit for every passer-by.
Read more

5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The John Rylands Library

Discover one of the best-kept secrets of Manchester, and probably one of the nicest libraries in the country, the Harry Potterish - John Rylands Library. We will tell you everything you need to know about this extraordinary building, which is grace is on the inside, so if you have time our recommendation is to venture inside.
Read more

30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Castlefield Urban Heritage Park

In our final stop, you will learn about the beggings of the city: its Roman Heritage. Feel like a roman exploring the reconstructed buildings of this amazing park. You will learn why the city is called Manchester. Then, we will let you stroll around the beautiful canals of Deansgate with a list of recommendations for things to do and places to eat around the city.
Read more

15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Guardian Telephone Exchange (pass by)

Another interesting landmark of this area is The Guardian Telephone Exchange, called the "Best kept secret in Manchester". We'll help you unveil this secret hiding in plain sight.
Read more

The Midland (pass by)

Discover the magnificent landmark of the city centre, The Midland Hotel, which has been part of life in Manchester for over 118 years, is worldwide renown for its beautiful architecture. We will tell you all about it, plus some incredible stories that have happened here during the years.
Read more

Manchester Central Library (pass by)

Hop into the legacy of what once was the first public lending and reference library of the UK, provided by Manchester local council after the passing of the Public Libraries Act 1850. Of course, this isn't the original building, but we will tell you everything about its history and how it became the beautiful Greek structure it is today.
Read more

Manchester Central

What now is a convention centre, once was used as Manchester Central Train Station by The Midland Railway. Join us to discover everything that happened in this place, from one of the worst massacres the north has ever seen (before the train even existed) to the mysterious story behind a suitcase left in this same station in 1965.
Read more

10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Corn Exchange (pass by)

Come to discover what once was one of the most exciting market exchanges around the north, where the commercialization of other goods thrived thanks to the cotton industry in the city. The first Corn Exchange was built on this site in 1837 and we will tell you how it became a Listed Building which now houses a Food Court, a Hotel and more.
Read more

The Old Wellington (pass by)

Discover probably the most famous and oldest pub in the city centre: The Old Wellington and Sinclair's Oyster Bar. Once famous for housing John Shaw's Punch House, during this tour you will understand why so many people visit this Pub on a daily basis.
Read more
Show 16 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-329930P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.45
33 reviews

Average 4.45 out of 5 stars based on 33 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
25
4 stars
4
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
3
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour?
A:
This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need.
  • You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour.
  • Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour.
  • Unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app.
  • Jake will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!).
The following is NOT included:
  • Any entrance fee for the attractions mentioned during the tour.
  • In-person Guide.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 5..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour is as follows:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need
  • You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour
  • Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
  • Unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
  • Jake will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
  • Any entrance fee for the attractions mentioned during the tour
  • In-person Guide

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Report Product Issue

Activity name