Our Awards & Recognitions
Welcome to Invisible (Manchester)! We offer friendly walking tours of Manchester that showcase some of the city's historical landmarks and explore the social projects that make the city what it is.
Our experienced tour guides, all of whom have been affected by homelessness, simply live and breathe the city, and offer their own personal insight into the past, present and future.
Tours available on Saturdays at 11am and Sundays at 2pm, on request for larger parties
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.
Each stop on the tour intelligently weaves elements of his memories, the story of that specific venue, and how it is contextualised in Manchester’s history. He touches on music, the suffragettes, football, Peterloo, Little Ireland and art in Manchester. You will be amazed by the transformation of the city today as you glimpse into the past, perhaps even learning about some buildings that have vanished to make way for Manchester’s new skyline.
The great British pub is a hallmark of British society and culture, serving both positive and negative connotations. Please note, the tour discusses themes of drinking and alcohol but there is no drinking whilst on the tour. We hope that instead, the tour will help spread awareness about the links between alcoholism and homelessness - it is simultaneously ‘caused by’ and ‘a cause’ of homelessness.
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.
Nic strongly believes music is for everyone. Within the tour he takes you to corners of the city’s community that inspire and introduce music, art and dance to those who are isolated or anxious.
Nic lives his life by these words: music is medicine, music lifts your spirit, softens your heart and brings people together.
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.
Stephen came to Manchester as a young boy, and became homeless as a teenager. His tour takes you on an extraordinary journey of other young people from Manchester’s past that have also suffered. We Built This City From Depression is an insight to the issues surrounding class and social deprivation from the 18th century to modern day. Stephen connects the tour together by sharing his own memories of homelessness and poverty. From sleeping on the streets at a young age, Stephen shares his first-hand experience of how Manchester has radically changed.
We’re a social enterprise. We love to hear from you. We’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Come and say hello.
For booking and tour enquiries please contact us:
info@invisible-cities.orgFor general or press enquiries please contact Zakia:
+44 (0) 7500 773 709
zakia@invisible-cities.org