The Monastery, also known as Gorton Monastery, is an imposing Franciscan church sporting impressive architecture that's now used as an event venue and heritage site. This church is considered an endangered heritage site, putting it in a similar position to the ruins of Pompeii.
Anyone interested in architecture or churches will enjoy their visit to this monastery. Its High Victorian architecture and Gothic elements make it stand out from the surrounding area. Most visitors spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours here depending on whether or not they're attending an event.
The Monastery in Manchester - one of the highlights of 15 Instagrammable Places in Manchester (Read all about Manchester here)
The Monastery highlights
One of the best things to do at The Monastery is to take a tour of its neo-Gothic splendour. With the guided tours here, you can walk in the steps of the legendary Franciscans and discover the fascinating history of their works as they built this church themselves.
When you're here, you don't have to think about where you want to grab lunch for the day as there's a cafe located conveniently on-site. You'll find it in the welcome wing where it offers sweet scones and cakes along with speciality teas and soups. Sandwiches and salads are available as well.
photo by Pete Birkinshaw (CC BY 2.0) modified
Good to know when visiting The Monastery
When you visit The Monastery, you don't have to worry about an entrance fee. Entry is always free, but they do accept donations as the building is technically still endangered. Additionally, you'll find that this church is fully accessible via wheelchairs and buggies, and it features accessible toilets throughout.
Travelling to this church is fairly easy whether you're coming by car, train or bus. It's located about 15 minutes away from the city centre by car, and there's a car park on-site you can take advantage of where parking is free. Alternatively, you can take the train or bus to Manchester Piccadilly Station.
photo by Pete Birkinshaw (CC BY 2.0) modified
The Monastery in Manchester
Location: 89 Gorton Ln, Manchester M12 5WF, UK
Open: Sunday–Friday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Saturdays)
Phone: +44 (0)1612 233211
Start planning your trip
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