Manchester remains Britain’s premier Northern city, the great cottonopolis, inland seaport and transport centre of the Industrial Revolution, cultural home of the Hallé orchestra and Coronation Street, host to a wealth of ethnic and religious groups from all over the world, vibrantly re-creating itself for the twenty-first century. Within its boundaries are some of the most remarkable historic and cultural sites in the North of England, and some particularly unusual and enjoyable experiences for visitors.
This lecture sets the major sites of architectural and historic importance – Alfred Waterhouse’s Town Hall (1867), Edward Welby Pugin’s Monastery of St Francis, Gorton (1863), Basil Champneys’ John Rylands Library (1900) – alongside less prestigious but equally fascinating structures such as the Liverpool Road Station (1830), Watts’ Warehouse (1858) and the Victoria Baths, Chorlton-cum-Medlock (1906), and compares them with the best of modern British architecture in the city and its environs, including the Lowry Centre, Salford (Stirling Wilford/Michael Wilford & Partner, 2000) and the Imperial War Museum North (Daniel Libeskind 2002).
Views: 1346 | Enquiries: 4I am a freelance history lecturer specialising in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries with a background in university extramural education.
I offer distinctive, life-enhancing insights into the past, particularly the recent past, for people who enjoy visiting places and recognising the human stories behind this historical heritage.
I lecture for the Arts Society (formerly the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies [NADFAS]) in the UK, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
Whether lecturing, writing or guiding tours, I provide detailed information in a lucid and entertaining way. My publications and lectures are copiously illustrated, as much as possible using my own photography.
Mike Higginbottom Interesting Times is the brand for my history education work – tours, lectures and publications. My blog is a fund of interesting, sometimes quirky insights into places, people and historical events.
I'm based in Sheffield and willing to travel anywhere in the UK or further afield.
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: