Manchester Central Library is not only architecturally impressive with its neoclassical style (shaped like a pantheon), it also houses a huge collection of publications on various media.

The shape of the building is circular so, when you are on one of the upper floors and you walk along, before you know it, you find yourself where you started without realising you're going round in a circle.

The building also houses the Library Theatre which regularly hosts high profile productions.

St Peter Square (tram stops there too) next to the town hall. www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries/central/index.htm

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This is a very interactive and informative museum, charting the history of the working classes in Britain. Lots to do for people of all ages, and a good cafe and bookshop too.

www.phm.org.uk
Bridge St, off Deansgate.

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Most interesting book on Manchester. Richard Francis’s biography of Ann Lee, the female messiah who was thrown out of Manchester Cathedral and became leader of the Shakers.

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Take your pick from Jeff Noon, Anthony Burgess, Nicholas Blincoe, Howard Jacobson. And for the suburbs (especially Stockport) Stevie Davies and Richard Francis. And don’t forget Mrs Gaskell and Howard Spring, whose Fame Is The Spur may not be great art but it begins in Manchester with the Peterloo massacre and keeps going at a gallop.

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Most infuriating book on Manchester. How the Industrial Revolution paved the way for the Haçienda and all that. Opinionated, tunnel-visioned but a good read.

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Bring back any one of photographer Len Grant’s books charting the renaissance of Manchester over the last 15 years. Or a tin of Uncle Joe’s mintballs.

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