Manchester’s streets are littered with curious artefacts of the city’s past – some of which most residents will have never even heard of.
From statues of American presidents to underground rivers and even an island of gnomes, Manchester is a great place to explore for anyone with an eye for curiosities and obscure historical facts.
Here are some of our favourite lesser known attractions Manchester city centre.
1. Gnome Island
This one has less historical significance, but it’s definitely a curious one. Located on a concrete island in the middle of Salford Quays, Gnome Island started off as a single gnome, Gnorman, in 2017 and has grown ever since.
2. Guardian Telephone Exchange
Although this is not something people can visit, it’s still pretty cool knowing that its there. It is a tunnel network that was built in the 1950s to secure communications systems in the event of a nuclear war. The tunnel is underneath what is now Chinatown and one of the entrances is at 55 George Street (pictured. )
3. Andesite boulder
On display outside the University of Manchester’s Beyer Building there is a 20-tonne Andesite boulder made of prehistoric lava, which was uncovered in 1888 during construction work on Oxford Road. It is thought to have travelled here with a glacier during the Ice Age and is originally from the Lake District area. (Photo:David Dixon via Wikimedia Commons)
4. Northern Quarter parrots
The Northern Quarter, and Tib Street in particular, was once known for its pet shops with animals of all varieties on display. There are little reminders of this part of the area’s history thanks to several art projects that have been commissioned over the years, including the John Street birds, the Tib Street parrots and a tiny piece called Mr Smith’s Dream, which is hidden in the wall of the Craft and Design Centre.