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.
5. The undamaged post box
Many Mancunians will have walked past this without knowing its significance. This red post box on Corporation Street was one of the only things left standing following the 1996 IRA bomb attack. There’s a plaque on the post box today that explains that it was removed during the reconstruction of the surrounding area but returned to its original spot in 1999. | Google Maps
6. Underground river
The River Tib only underground these days as it was culverted in the 18th century. You can still see some reminders of its existence, however, along the river’s namesake street in the Northern Quarter, marked out with quotes from Lemn Sissay’s poem “Flags ” (pictured). | ManchesterWorld
7. Angel Meadows
It’s now a quiet inner-city park, but Angel Meadows was once a slum that housed the employees of the numerous nearby mills. Living conditions here were so dire that after visiting the area and spending time in Victorian Manchester, German industrialist Friedrich Engels described it as “Hell on Earth.” | ManchesterWorld
8. Abraham Lincoln statue
Manchester has a historic connection to President Abraham Lincoln, which is why there is a statue and square dedicated to him just a stone’s throw away from the Town Hall. It was a thank you present to the city for its financial support of Lincoln during the American Civil War. | Google Maps