Inside Manchester’s beautiful hidden gem library with a secret entrance behind a pub

Hidden away on the side of Moseley Street and Charlotte Street in Manchester city centre lies a door leading to one of Manchester's landmarks. The Portico Library is an independent subscription library home to 25,000 books and is one of the city's oldest buildings to still be being used for its original function. It was built in the early 1800s.

Its original entrance and ground floor has been taken over by a pub, after several renovations were made to the building in the 1920s. The library now only occupies the top floor, and to make your way there you must navigate a winding staircase hidden behind a side entrance.

As far as hidden gems go, this historical library is certainly one many people could miss as they go about their day in the city. However, the tall, domed ceiling and shelves stacked high with first editions and fragile manuscripts make this a must-see place in Manchester. We visited to see some of its highlights for our video report.