Visited here a few times when I worked near Manchester, but Nigel has never been. It was founded by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband John Rylands, who died in 1888 and was one of Manchester’s most successful industrialists with a personal fortune of £2.75million.
In 1889 Enriqueta commissioned the architect Basil Champneys to design the Library, which took 10 years to build and opened on 1 Jan 1900. Enriqueta was closely involved in the design and construction of the building, in particular, she was personally responsible for purchasing two collections: the collection of printed books assembled by the 2nd earl Spencer (which she bought for £210,000 in 1892 – £23m today) and the Earl of Crawford’s collection of manuscripts (costing £155,000 in 1901 – £16m today).
The collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment. Other treasures include illuminated medieval manuscripts and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
The Reading Room is stunning, with statutes of many literary & scientific greats including Shakespeare, Chaucer and Isaac Newton. With alcoves in which you can study, some wonderful radiator covers and stunning stained glass windows.
They even had a 200 year old printing press which is still in working order and is demonstrated from time to time.
There was also a special exhibition on Cottonopolis, in the 18th century Manchester was a major part of the cotton textile industry. Yet the cotton plant could not be grown here!
The Library is a fabulous example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe and one of the great libraries of the world and the third largest academic library in the UK.
Although Harry Potter wasn’t filmed here, the film crew took many photos from which they used for inspiration in creating Hogwarts.
Well worth a visit especially as its free.
Obviously we had to finish off with a drink in the Sawyer’s Arms, in a Grade II listed building, it’s said to be one of the oldest pubs, having first gained its licence in 1730.