Manchester Town Hall & Albert Square
A Victorian Gothic town hall designed by Waterhouse, with an 85-metre clock tower overlooking Albert Square. In winter, it is the centre of the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Manchester Town Hall was completed in 1877 and designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of London's Natural History Museum. It is a landmark of the Victorian Gothic Revival, and its great hall has a mural by Ford Madox Brown depicting the city's history. The building has undergone a major restoration since 2018, so check official announcements for interior access, but the exterior and clock tower can still be admired. In front, Albert Square has a monument to Prince Albert, and it is the main venue for the Manchester Christmas Markets in November and December.
Opening hours
Exterior visible all day; interior under restoration
Nearby sights
- Manchester Central Library
- Manchester Art Gallery
- St Ann's Square & St Ann's Church
- Royal Exchange Theatre
- Manchester Chinatown
- John Rylands Library
- Manchester Cathedral
- National Football Museum