🚶🏽What is the Manchester History Club Meander?

Explore the less-travelled routes through the city centre with this new series of posts exclusively for paid Manchester History Club subscribers

Ever since I was old enough to start exploring Manchester on my own, I’ve been finding new walking routes through my home city.

Sleek cut-throughs to avoid the commuter traffic on my way to work, a backstreet beeline between Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations to try to beet the train.

And, in my 20s, navigating a direct line for my drinking pals between the islands that were our favourite pubs.

Tacking my way through the crowds of shoppers at the corner of Fountain Street and Market Street the other day, I realised that all of us will have a personal route map of the city in our heads.

Shortcuts, buildings we regularly visit, places we avoid — hidden routes that are not imposed upon us by roadworks and public transport timetables.

They are based instead on a deeply personal and instinctive understanding of the streets we’ve built up over decades.

And they are made up of memories of people we have gone to meet and things we have done and seen.

So I’ve decided to start writing down and mapping my favourite journeys through Manchester in a new series of extra posts for paid subscribers to my newsletter.

I’ve called it The Meander.

In each edition, you’ll find a route through Manchester with photos and a map.

You can find route below — an exploration of the ginnels or passageways off St Ann’s Square.

And you can see my full archive by clicking the tab on the homepage of my website www.manchesterhistory.uk

Click the button below to see your subscription options. I currently have a 30% sale on my standard subscription offer.

A note before you set off…

I’ve explored these off-beat routes so you can read and enjoy them from the comfort of your own home.

If you do decide to go for a walk in Manchester, please stay aware of your surroundings, especially in quieter or less-travelled areas.

Consider walking with a friend or during busier times of day if that feels safer, and definitely don’t go wandering at night.

There may be obstacles on some of the routes and the walks are not wheelchair friendly.

Trust your instincts, take your time, and enjoy the journey. Just a reminder: you’re responsible for your own safety as you explore.🚶🏻