Jonathan Schofield presents Two cities, huge stories, big revelations
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- Date
- 8 - 15 Jul 2023
- Venue
- Ticketing Hub, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
- Tickets
The tour started at the Ticketing Hub at Aviva Studios, located just outside the venue.
The tour started at our Ticketing Hub, in Aviva Studios' outside spaces and had step-free access. The tour will cover a maximum distance of 2.5km. Please find access provision below.
Age Guidance: Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult over 18
Running time: 1.5 - 2 hours approx.
A tour that took in two cities – looking at the centre of old Salford and returning via Manchester.
Beginning with the new footbridge across the River Irwell, this tour blended fine buildings, development areas, a Cathedral, two museums, a library and a cemetery with a tale or two to tell.
Led by writer and guide Jonathan Schofield, the tour blended stories of conflict, harmony, love, music, the Cold War, vegetarianism, infrastructure and big characters with curious histories. We heard about Fanny Kemble, James Prescott Joule, Ewan McCall, Enriqueta Rylands, Frederick Douglass, Lydia Becker, Len Johnson and the first ever named Mancunian.
This was a chance to learn about two cities and their contribution to global history with a pinch of humour and plenty of stories along the way.
Itinerary
Ticketing Hub, Aviva Studios-Middlewood Locks-Salford Cathedral-Bexley Square-Chapel Street-People’s History Museum-Spinningfields-John Rylands Library-St John’s Street-St John’s Gardens-Ticketing Hub, Aviva Studios.
Access information
Here you can find access information about the venue, our access performances and advice on content. For more information about the different types of access performances we offer, please visit our Access page. If you have specific access needs that aren’t yet addressed, please email access@factoryinternational.org and we’ll do our best to help.
Our Ticketing Hub is located in the outdoor spaces at Factory International's new home, Aviva Studios. The full address is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ and what3words is chop.feeds.chase.
There is step-free access to all outdoor areas of Aviva Studios. There are a range of seating options around the space, including wheelchair accessible tables. The bars have a lowered accessible service area.
Toilets are available inside Aviva Studios. Accessible toilets (a mixture of wheelchair accessible cubicles with right- or left-hand transfer, as well as ambulant accessible cubicles with grab rails) are located in the brick arches in the Social.
There are additional accessible toilets located in both the Hall Foyers.
You do not need a key to use the accessible toilets.
Assistance dogs are welcome, and we can provide mats and water bowls on request.
Travel information
Below you can find information on how to get to the venue.
The Ticketing Hub at Aviva Studios can be approached along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).
Our closest stations are:
Salford Central station: 0.4 miles
Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles
St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles
Manchester Victoria station is approximately one mile from Aviva Studios
Manchester Piccadilly station is approximately 1.3 miles from Aviva Studios
Click on the links above to find detailed access information for each station.
Free bus services stop at all city-centre stations, and near to Aviva Studios along Deansgate, Bridge St and Quay St. Buses on these free routes are wheelchair accessible. For full details of the free bus routes, please visit the TfGM website.
There is a car park approximately 0.6 miles from the event entrance at Water Street Car Park, New Elm Rd, Manchester, M3 4JH.
There is also a NCP car park (Manchester Spinningfields) approximately 0.5 miles away from the venue at Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE. It has 35 accessible bays.
There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces along Water St and Quay St. Otherwise head towards Liverpool Road, Great John St and Lower Byrom St – close to our neighbours, the Science and Industry Museum where there are a small number of additional Blue Badge spaces.
For a list of other parking bays available in the area, visit Manchester City Council website.