Walking tours
Choose from four walking tours – three led by Invisible Cities and one by 360 Degree Society. Find out more about the routes and sites below.
Invisible Cities walking tours
Experience three unique and memorable walking tours, hosted by local guides who have been affected by homelessness, and who live and breathe their cities.
Organised by Invisible Cities, a social enterprise, the three tours provide an opportunity to experience Manchester beyond the postcard, and hear about the gritty stories that truly define a city. All of the tour guides choose their topics, themes and stories based on their own experiences.
Invisible Cities is a multi award winning social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city. They run walking tours of 6 locations including Manchester. Awarded Best Community Tour in the world by Lonely Planet in 2021, they run training programmes on transferrable skills such as public speaking, customer service or storytelling and employ people directly to deliver walking tour.
You can find more information on www.invisible-cities.org
Tickets cost £25.00+VAT each to support Invisible Cities – you can purchase whilst registering for the Congress.
Tour 1: Marvellous Manchester Memories: Andy’s History of Pubs
Date: Monday 13 October
Time: 17.30-19.00
Meeting Point:
In the 1980s, Andy and his pals fell in love with Manchester’s bustling nightlife and rock music scene. Today he leads you on a guided tour of Manchester, taking the very same route of his nights out in the 1980s, but this time reflecting on how the venues have played a significant role in shaping Manchester’s history. Andy shares personal stories from his own nights out from years gone by and retells tales of how the scene has changed dramatically and some notable decisions and historical moments that came with it. This fact-filled tour blends fascinating historical insights with heartfelt recollections – as well as some brilliant but silly one-liners from Andy’s catalogue of quick witted jokes.
Tour 2: Wonderwalk Through Manchester with Nic
Date: Thursday 16 October
Time: 09.00–10.30
Meeting Point:
This tour of Manchester maps the city’s illustrious history of music and art, focusing on the venues and musicians which have helped to shape Manchester’s music scene. ‘Wonderwalk’ will be led by Nic, a friendly and entertaining tour guide, who wants you to fall in love with the music of Manchester as he did from an early age. With every turn, and every stop, Nic will brighten and enlighten you with tales and stories that combine the city’s and his own rich musical experience. You’ll be taken on a journey through the Rave Revolution, sparked by the hacienda, to the presence of reggae at Thirsty Scholar, and not forgetting the classical opera scene at the Royal Northern College of Music and Bridgewater Hall. The tour champions the legacy of Madchester that will never be lost, but also supports and empowers our smaller venues (which is now more important than ever) who play a huge part in the city’s never-ending, unique music scene.
Tour 3: We Built This City From Depression
Date: Thursday 16 October
Time: 11.00–12.30
Meeting Point:
This tour transports you back to a time where Manchester looked very different. We Built This City From Depression uncovers the tombstones that the Northern city’s roots have grown over. With each step that Stephen takes, the city’s past starts to live and breathe again, unveiling the cobbled streets and working people that made Manchester what it is today.
Ever wondered why Manchester is proudly associated with the symbol of the bee? From the Great Depression, to the artistic work of Lowry. From the industrial revolution, to the IRA bombing that led to the regeneration of our city. This tour captures the hurdles Manchester has overcome. By sharing the darkness and shadows of Manchester’s past, Stephen’s stories show that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
360 Degree Society
Tour 4: Stories of the Quays: Places shape people, and people shape places
Date: Tuesday 15 October
Time: 18.00–19.00
Meeting Point: The Lowry
Return point: Imperial War Museum North
Organised by 360 Degree Society
Take a moment away inbetween the conference and the evening reception to explore the streets, stories and social spaces of Salford Quays.
Led by the 360 Degree Society team, this guided walk invites you to experience the city’s landscape through a different lens — uncovering the people, histories and ideas transforming local places into healthier, more connected communities. A space to walk, talk and reflect together.
The walk will start at the Lowry and end at the Imperial War Museum North, making it convenient for delegates to join the evening reception.
This tour is free to attend. To register email info@salus.global
