Clock this! Town hall tower tours are Manchester's latest attraction
10 November 2011
Members of the public are being given the chance to be among the first to visit Manchester’s most striking attraction – the town hall clock tower –from next week.
Although it is a prominent feature of Manchester's most iconic building, the 134-year old clock tower has only been open to the public on a handful of previous occasions.
Now visitors will be able to accompany official tour guides up the iconic 280-foot (85m) high bell tower from which they will be able to see a spectacular panorama of the city and beyond to the Pennines and Cheshire Plain.
The fascinating tour will also offer the opportunity to get a close look at the mighty Great Abel, the town hall's eight tonne clock bell, as well as the tower's mechanical and bellringing rooms while learning about the history of the Grade I-listed town hall, considered one of the finest achievements of Victorian architecture.
Tours will initially run from Thursday 17 November through to 22 December, coinciding with the dates of Manchester's famous Christmas Markets and giving visitors the chance to have a bird's eye view of them. It is hoped that clock tower tours will then become a permanent fixture which will be on the 'must do' list for any visitor to Manchester.
They will take place at 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm Monday to Sunday. Children aged under 12 are not permitted.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: "Over the years many Mancunians and visitors to our city must have wondered what the view is like from our iconic clock tower, and pondered its inner workings. Now they really can see for themselves in what promises to be a unique and popular visitor attraction, and yet another reason to spend time in Manchester."
Bookings can be made by calling 0161 2344433 between 10am and 5pm or at the main reception desk of Manchester Town Hall (Albert Square entrance). Tours cost £7.50.
