did the queen visit manchester in the 1950s

Memorable visits Queen Elizabeth II made to Manchester during her reign

In good times and bad, Queen Elizabeth II always made time to visit the people of Manchester

During her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II always made time for Manchester.

The monarch made a number of memorable visits to the city during her record-breaking reign, which saw her spend seven decades on the throne – the longest of any reigning monarch in British history.

Celebrating Manchester’s historic moments and offering her sympathies in tough times, from walking the infamous Coronation Street cobbles to visiting injured children who had been hospitalised by the Manchester Arena attack, the late Monarch was always on hand to mark some of the city’s key moments with a kind word or a friendly wave.

Acting as a stabilising and reassuring presence for many years, she could be relied upon to join Mancunians for celebrations on important occasions and support and to commiserate with us whenever tragedy has struck.

The Queen last visited Greater Manchester just a year ago but she paid many a visit over the decades. She was dearly loved – and will be greatly missed by people across Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth. She promised to serve the nation and she kept that word throughout her life. pic.twitter.com/EJLqdyeK5k — Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) September 8, 2022

Following the Queen’s passing on Thursday 8 September, we take a look back at some of the most memorable visits she paid to Manchester over the years.

Do you have a special memory of the Queen visiting Manchester? If so please get in touch at [email protected] , we’d love to hear your stories.

The Manchester Arena Attack

Her Majesty meets Evie Mills, aged 14, from Harrogate, her mum, Karen and dad, Craig at the hospital in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/DK14fFRGQS — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 25, 2017

Following the attack at Manchester Arena in 2017, Her Majesty visited young victims in hospital who had been injured at the Ariana Grande concert and spoke with staff treating victims of the explosion.

On a visit to Royal Manchester children’s hospital, she described the event as “very wicked” and whilst speaking with hospital clinicians, doctors, nurses and porters added that: “the awful thing was that everyone was so young. The age of them”, echoing the thoughts of shocked locals.

The Commonwealth Games

#royal #flashback "JULY 25, 2002: England captain David Beckham and Kirsty Howard hand the Queen's Jubille baton to Queen Elizabeth II after its final leg around the city of Manchester stadium at the opening of the Commonwealth Games. pic.twitter.com/yCOmZ4FUyO — Mace (@RoyaleVision) July 25, 2021

Her Majesty visited the city many times to celebrate positive moments, including the Commonwealth Games in 2002 – something of a momentous occasion for Manchester.

During the opening ceremony at the City of Manchester Stadium, she was handed the Jubilee Baton by none other than David Beckham and Kirsty Howard after its final leg had been completed.

The opening of Manchester’s Metrolink

17 July 1992: HRH Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Manchester Metrolink and six-year old Pip was one of the local school children chosen to greet Her Majesty at the local tram stop. I mean, she didn't actually *get off* the tram but I'm still counting it as a meeting. pic.twitter.com/aZgRA2lD5P — Pip (@pipmadeley) September 8, 2022

The Queen visited the city in the summer of 1992 to open Manchester’s Metrolink and unveiled a plaque on St Peter’s Square, meeting a group of local school children as part of her visit.

A stroll down the Coronation Street cobbles

Royal history. The Nation’s history. Queen Elizabeth II visiting the cobbles of Coronation Street in 1982 and 2021. #CoronationStreet #ERII #Corrie pic.twitter.com/gVI655RBWU — Corrie Art (@CorrieArt) September 8, 2022

In her most recent visit to Manchester in 2021, Queen Elizabeth re-visited the famous Coronation Street cobbles and popped into the one and only Rover’s Return pub to mark the soap’s diamond jubilee.

Her Majesty travelled to Manchester for a tour of the studios, having last seen them in 1982, and was astonished to hear that the iconic cobbles were the very same ones she had walked on during her last visit, despite the set having been moved.

Manchester United’s FA Cup win in 1963

Manchester United Noel Cantwell receives the FA Cup from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1963 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/N5taDZUVNy — 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐰𝐨 (@Class_NinetyTwo) September 9, 2022

Technically this was not a visit made by the Queen to Manchester as the final FA Cup match was held at Wembley Stadium, but this was an important moment nonetheless as the Queen presented the season cup to the club in the summer of 1963.

A huge supporter of many sports including football, a number of events have been called off following her passing out of respect for the late Monarch.

Marking 50 years of the Heinz Factory

Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth on reaching her #PlatinumJubilee with 70 years of dedicated service to our wonderful country. 👑 We are sharing this fond memory of her majesty at our Wigan factory celebrating 50 years since it opened & her 57th year on the throne. #HM70 pic.twitter.com/Xy21Y3sUnU — Heinz (@HeinzUK) June 3, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II visited Wigan’s Heinz Factory in 2009 to mark the anniversary of the official opening of the plant 50 years ago.

The Wigan factory is the largest food processing plant in Europe and the largest of Heinz’s factories around the world. As part of the visit a new Heinz packing operation was opened and started by the Queen.

A visit to Harpurhey’s Youth Zone

From the MEN today. The Queen visits Harpurhey. The car came up Rochdale Rd and stopped outside McDonald’s for the Youth Zone visit. Royal Harpurhey. pic.twitter.com/GLqAAugP9C — Pat Karney (@patkarney) June 1, 2022

In 2013, she visited Harpurhey’s Youth Zone for a guided tour of the building’s boxing facilities.

As the Monarch left, she was surprised by hundreds of people who had flocked to meet her outside of the facility on Rochdale road.

Do you have a special memory of Queen Elizabeth II that you would like to share? If so, please get in touch at [email protected] .

Feature image – Tiwtter / Flickr

Soho House Manchester is surely one of the city’s most hotly-anticipated (and long-awaited) new openings.

The luxury members’ club has been slowly transforming the Old Granada Studios in the city centre into a multi-storey hub that will include restaurants, bars, bedrooms, event spaces, a gym, and – notably – a rooftop pool.

At one point, its grand opening was locked in for 2022 – but now we’re in 2024 and still no official opening date has been announced.

But there’s good reason for that – you cannot rush perfection. And you can expect perfection when annual membership costs close to £3,000.

We may still be looking at the same set of artist impressions for Soho House Manchester, but after a whistle-stop tour of several other of their UK locations, we finally have an idea of what to expect from their first venture north.

One thing you’re guaranteed to find is attention to detail. 

Not one inch of Soho House is overlooked when it comes to their design – every corner, nook and cranny has been considered and made beautiful.

Every site is different from the last, lifting inspiration from the building it takes over and the history of the local area.

For example, White City House, constructed within the iconic, circular former BBC HQ, has collages of nostalgic programmes, analog TVs stuck to the walls, and mid-century modern furniture that tastefully nods back to the building’s most significant era.

But then you head to the very first Soho House location, tucked in a tall townhouse in the heart of bustling Soho, and it’s all about elaborately patterned wallpapers, plump colourful cushions, chintzy curtains.

With Soho House Manchester taking shape inside Old Granada Studios, we can expect a nod to our city’s broadcasting heritage, probably some 1960s-inspired interiors (this building held the Beatles’ first television performance in 1962), and hopefully not a Hacienda stripe in sight…

You want another example of attention to detail? Every Soho House even has its own stripe , used on its towels and stationery and other items dotted around the spaces. For Manchester, it’s going to be a navy and ochre wave pattern.

So while there are similarities between every location, this is far from being a copy-and-paste brand.

The same applies to the customer service. It’s quite remarkable to sit and watch how staff at each House will greet members by name at just a glance, very much like that scene in The Devil Wears Prada but I can’t see a panicked Emily Blunt whispering in anyone’s ear here.

Another recurring feature at Soho House will be total privacy. There’s a strict no-photos policy that means even the most A-list of guests (yes, including Harry Styles) can relax and enjoy the space without the fear of having their picture sold to a tabloid.

If you whip out a phone, you’ll be told politely but firmly not to take photos or videos… not that many people even try. The application process to become a Soho House member is rigorous, so once you’re in, almost everyone plays by the rules.

And it really is private. One does not simply walk into Soho House, even if you do have cash to spend. In fact, the only way you can set foot into these hallowed halls without being a member is to be invited as a guest of an existing member.

Memberships are generally offered to those working in the creative industries, so you’re never more than a few metres from artists, music industry bigwigs, actors, dancers, writers, designers and more.

Inside any one house, you probably will spot a famous face or two (on our trip to Soho Farmhouse I clocked a legitimate Hollywood A-lister), but you might not notice – they’ll be treated the same as every other guest, and will be relaxing safe in the knowledge that they’re not about to be pestered for a selfie.  

Restaurants for Soho House Manchester haven’t been confirmed yet, but our tour of existing locations included several signature restaurants that would be very welcomed in our city.

We could get Pen Yen, a vibrant Japanese restaurant; or Little Berenjak, a sister site for the Persian restaurant in London that is so popular, it’s nigh-on impossible to get a table.

One thing we’re sadly not likely to experience here in Manchester is the peace and tranquility enjoyed at Soho Farmhouse, where features include a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs sunk into the lake, pretty green bikes you can cycle around on, and cosy rooms built into wooden cabins or ‘piglet’ style huts.

But if you sign up for the ‘Every House’ membership, you can at least pay it a visit.

But what is on the cards for us is a rooftop pool with sunbeds and a bar; an enormous gym space (Soho House has said this is a priority, and after seeing how busy the gym at White City House is, I can see why), fitness studios; a steam room and sauna; a ninth-floor late-night bar and live music space; casual lounge areas serving food and drink; a formal restaurant; an events space with a bar and DJ booth; 23 bedrooms of varying sizes; and an 80sq metre two-bedroom private apartment. Phew.

Set to be the first Soho House site in the north, it will join other UK sites across London, in Oxfordshire, in Somerset, in Windsor and in Brighton.

An exact opening date for Soho House Manchester is expected to be confirmed soon.

Soho House Manchester – memberships and application process

The full membership gains you access to all 41 Soho Houses globally, and costs £2,950.

But if you want to just use Soho House Manchester, that will cost £1,925.

There are cheaper memberships available for under-27s.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to supply a headshot, information about your work and industry, links to your online profiles, and several other titbits about yourself.

It helps if you already know a couple of existing Soho House members who can refer you, too.

And you must confirm that you’ll abide by the house rules, which you can see here .

Soho House Manchester memberships are open now and you can apply here .

• What’s on at Co-op Live, Manchester’s huge new arena with packed programme of gigs and shows
• One of Manchester’s largest hotels has reopened after an ‘extensive’ £33m renovation
• Manchester’s Club de Padel claps back at ’embarrassing’ copycat ASOS product

Featured image: The Manc Group

The Co-op Live finally opens its doors in April 2024 and it already has a huge list of shows planned for this year and all the way into 2025.

Manchester’s newest arena, entertainment venue and arts space, which is the largest indoor arena in the UK, is set to host some huge musicians over the next year or so.

No surprise considering Harry Styles is an investor .

The massive venue officially opens on 23 April, with Greater Manchester legend Peter Kay lined up for the first performance.

Then it will be the Black Keys who take the honour of being the first music act on stage – and this venue has been built with music in mind.

Take That have also signed up for a frankly ridiculous SEVEN shows – but there’s sure to be plenty more revealed in the coming months.

Here’s the full list of artists confirmed for Co-op Live thus far.

What’s on at Co-op Live – gigs, comedy shows and other events

In chronological order, here all the Co-op Live gigs on the schedule over the next two years:

Peter Kay – 23-24 April, 2024

Bolton’s finest export Peter Kay will be the official opening act for the Co-op Live Arena, after selling out shows for literal years into the future at the AO Arena. He’s promised to keep tickets the same price they were when he last toured more than a decade ago too. You can get yours here .

The Black Keys – 27 April, 2024

This rock duo are behind massive hits like Lonely Boy and Gold On The Ceiling, and are stopping off at the Co-op Live for a very special gig. They’ll be performing not long after they release their twelfth studio album, Ohio Players, which features collaborations with names including Noel Gallagher, Beck, Greg Kurstin, Dan “The Automator” Nakamura and more. You can get tickets here .

A Boogie Wid Da Hoodie – 1 May, 2024

Known for his collaborations with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Chris Brown and Meek Mill, rising star rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie will be one of the very first to perform at the Co-op Live. He’s on his way to being one of the biggest names in hip-hop.

Olivia Rodrigo — 3-4 May, 2024

Olivia will be hitting up Manchester during her GUTS World Tour. It’s in support of her second album of the same name, which was released back in September. The last time she was in Manchester, fans were shocked to see her casually singing and having a drink in Bunny Jackson’s after the show. Let’s see where she ends up post-gig this time in May.

Keane – 5 May, 2024

They’re back and they’re celebrating 20 years since their landmark debut album Hopes and Fears . They’ll be playing songs from throughout their career, performing the best of the best and to make things even better, they’ll also have support from Manchester’s own, The Lathums .

As if this wasn’t joyous news enough, wait until you see the supports… 👀 Find out more about @keaneofficial 's Hopes & Fears anniversary tour here. 👉 https://t.co/JNh8PAcISF pic.twitter.com/toFQno4esA — The Manc (@TheMancUK) September 9, 2023

Take That — 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 May AND 11-12 June (wow…)

They announced a new tour alongside the announcement of their ninth studio album, This Life . We obviously thought these big hitters would be doing a couple of shows here but no one expected their return to involve them ramming seven massive Manchester Co-op Live shows down our throats — not that we’re complaining.

Take That ticket prices labelled ‘crazy’ as band add fifth Manchester date

Elbow – 14 May, 2024

It’s hard to believe Elbow have been going since 1997 since it wasn’t until 2008 they brought out their magnum opus  The Seldom Seen Kid . Now here they are about to head on their first arena tour since 2018, celebration their tenth album, due for release early in the year.

Eric Clapton – 18 May, 2024

Adding one last show in Manchester to his UK tour, this is Clapton’s first performance here in over a decade. Expect him to be performing all his classics like ‘Tears In Heaven’ and ‘Layla’, as well as reminding everyone why he’s still at it so many years later.

Eric Clapton announces first Manchester gig in 10 years, at brand-new Co-op Live arena

Barry Manilow – 19 May, 2024

With a huge legacy that includes multiple awards including a GRAMMY and a Tony, as well as officially surpassing Elvis for the longest-running residency in Las Vegas, our Barry has had quite the career. As for how he intends to spend next year, at least one chapter will include him coming to the Co-op Live for an exclusive Manchester-only show.

Nicki Minaj – 24 May, 2024

The ‘Queen of Rap’ Nicki Minaj is heading to Manchester as part of the Pink Friday 2 World Tour – her largest to date. The Starships and Anaconda singer is performing in celebration of her fifth studio album and will make the Co-op Live the first stop on her European leg of the tour.

Eagles – 31 May, then 1, 4, 7 and 8 June, 2024

Legendary US rock, country and folk band the Eagles have announced their last-ever UK gigs and Manchester’s Co-op Live arena has been given the honour of bidding them a British goodbye. One of the most successful and seminal bands of the 1970s and beyond, the LA hitmakers best known for tracks like ‘Hotel California’, ‘New Kid in Town’, ‘Desperado’ and countless others, are rounding off their global Long Goodbye tour with five final shows here in Britain and our city’s newest venue. Tickets are available here .

Pet Shop Boys – 9 June, 2024

Iconic UK duo Pet Shop Boys are bringing their incredible live Dreamland show to Co-op Live in June. The show’s already received a flurry of 5-star reviews and is a celebration of all of their greatest hits.

The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer – 13 June, 2024

Two absolutely massive names will come together to co-headline Manchester’s newest – and biggest – arena. Multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning, alternative rock pioneers, The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer will gig alongside each other at Co-op Live.

James – 14 June, 2024

One of the longest-running Manc bands , James will be putting on a huge summer hometown show and have chosen to be one of the first artists at the Co-op Live next year to do it, with a little bit of help from Noughties icons Razorlight as support acts, no less.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JAMES (@wearejames)

Liam Gallagher – 15, 16, 27 and 28 June, 2024

Liam Gallagher is back and he’s heading out on a massive UK tour next year, with not one but THREE Manchester dates on the lineup. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of Oasis’s massively influential debut album,  Definitely Maybe , Liam will be embarking upon the ‘Definitely Maybe 30 Years’ arena tour in 2024.

The Killers – 18, 19, 21 and 22 June, 2024

The Killers have announced four massive arena shows here in Manchester for next summer on their Rebel Diamonds Tour. The Las Vegas indie rock legends have announced the tour to celebrate 20 years of hits together, and will release a brand new compilation album of the same name next week.

Pearl Jam – 25 June, 2024

These Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will be another huge rock name playing the Co-op Live, bringing their Dark Matter World Tour to the city. They’ll be supported by special guests The Murder Capital.

Megan Thee Stallion – 5 July, 2024

Megan Thee Stallion is visiting Co-op Live as part of her 31-city world tour, called the Hot Girl Summer Tour. She’ll be heading across the US and Europe with her first-ever headline arena tour, which will feature a special Chicas Divertidas VIP section. The star will visit several major cities in the states before beginning her international leg here in the UK on 4 July.

Stevie Nicks – 9 July, 2024

Rock legend Stevie Nicks, famed for her work with Fleetwood Mac as well as her impressive solo career, will be in town in summer. These will Stevie Nicks’ first UK shows in almost seven years, and she’ll be one of the first rock acts to perform at Manchester’s shiny new Co-op Live arena.

Kings of Leon – 10 July, 2024

Kings of Leon have announced a new run of UK shows as part of their 2024 world tour, and they’ll be coming to visit us here in Manchester. Following on from the announcement of their brand-new album, as well as a headline performance at BST Hyde Park this summer, the beloved American rock band have now revealed details of their long-awaited Can We Please Have Fun World Tour that’s kicking off later this year. Tickets are on sale here .

Justin Timberlake – 8 August

Mr Sexy Back himself is indeed back, with the so-called Prince of Pop announcing a Manchester date on the European leg of his massive The Forget Tomorrow World Tour. He’s the voice behind songs like SexyBack, Mirrors, and Trolls hit Can’t Stop The Feeling.

Arijit Singh – 11 August

India’s undisputed superstar Arijit Singh will be delivering a night of massive Bollywood hits when he arrives in Manchester this summer. The multi-award winner has become one of the most sought-after playback singers in the Indian film industry, lending his voice to numerous hit songs.

Noah Kahan – 13 August, 2024

Singer-songwriter sensation Noah Kahan is heading to the Co-op Live next summer, showing off his incredible music from three full-length albums as well as his collaborations with Hozier and Julia Michaels. He had his highest album position in the UK to date with last year’s Stick Season.

Niall Horan – 27 August, 2024

He’s already announced he’ll be playing in Manchester at the AO Arena in March. He’ll be back though after his world tour ends as he’s also announced he’ll be playing at the Co-op Live in August. With Harry Styles an investor in the new arena, One Direction reunion when?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE MANC AUDIO 🎙 (@themancaudio)

Jonas Brothers – 12 September, 2024 (RESCHEDULED from 17 June)

They’ve been doing their own solo stuff for so long that we almost forgot they were a highly successful boy band in the 2000 and 2010s. In case you weren’t aware, they’ve been back making music together since 2019 and in May released their sixth studio album, but we’re looking forward to them playing all the hits, of course. Alexa, play ‘Burnin’ Up’…

Jonas Brothers first act announced to headline Manchester’s new Co-op Live arena

Melanie Martinez – 21 September, 2024

Pop phenomenon Melanie Martinez has just announced arena gig here in Manchester as part of her The Trilogy Tour. The singer is currently performing as her alter-ego ‘Cry Baby’, which involves her wearing an other-worldly mask that transforms her into a cat-like creature with four eyes and gigantic ears.

Glass Animals – 2 November, 2024

Glass Animals have announced details of their long-awaited global tour, including a gig here in Manchester. The Grammy and BRIT-nominated British band already have three studio albums to their names and smashed into the UK Singles Chart with their biggest hit, the four-times Platinum certified Heat Waves. That song? Oh yeah, it’s just the biggest international hit from a British band in almost 30 years.

Hits Radio Live – 23 November, 2024

This night will bring together the biggest current names in music – previous years have featured Ed Sheeran, Busted, Sam Smith, Anne Marie, Lewis Capaldi, Rita Ora, Becky Hill, Tom Grennan and many, many more.

Sleep Token – 26 November, 2024

The fast-rising and genre-bending rock group Sleep Token have announced their biggest-ever headline tour in the UK and will be coming to Manchester later this year. The masked outfit is probably providing one of the most unique and sprawling sounds in the industry right now.

Charli XCX – 27 November, 2024

British singer Charli XCX has announced the tour in support of her forthcoming album BRAT, her sixth studio album. Charli XCX was discovered through Myspace way back in 2008, hitting the big time in 2012 with the release of the two-time platinum single I Love It. She went on to have huge success with tracks like Boom Clap and Doing It, as well as featuring on huge songs like ‘Fancy’ with Iggy Azalea and ‘Girls’ with Rita Ora.

Slipknot – 17 December, 2024

Heavy metal legends Slipknot will visit the Co-op Live on a massive European tour, which will celebrate 25 years since they first played on the continent. They’ll also bring Scottish heavy metal group Bleed From Within on the tour as support.

Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium – 30 January, 2025

Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium have announced a huge joint arena tour, including a date in Manchester, where they’ll be playing their respective albums in full to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Both bands will be performing at the Co-op Live arena as part of The Poisoned Ascendancy UK Tour in 2025.

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – 6 April, 2025

Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds will be coming to Manchester as part of a monumental new arena tour. The much-loved musical spectacular, based on the dark Victorian tale by H. G. Wells, will feature a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.

Simply Red – 27 Sept, 2025

We don’t know what we’re doing next week, never mind in winter 2025. Mick Hucknall does though as he already has ‘playing in Manchester’ on his calendar for September 2025 to celebrate 40 years of Simply Red.

Jason Manford – 24 October, 2025

Lastly, Jason Manford was the first comedian to be announced to perform at the Co-op Live. Jason Manford fans will be beaming to see the local funny man performing on such a big stage. Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait two whole years to see him — but at least you’ve got plenty of time to sort tickets!

And that’s your lot: top acts for you to enjoy in 2024 and 2025 already with plenty more to come.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a brand new venue of this kind of size and calibre open anywhere in Greater Manchester , so we’re looking forward to seeing what it looks like in the flesh once it’s open.

In fact, The Manc even had the pleasure of popping inside earlier this year to take a glance at how it’s coming along.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,  subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE .

Featured Image — Take That (via Facebook)/ Co-Op Live /Jason Manford

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Years of celebrations and Greater Manchester visits from The Queen shown in Memory Lane special

These fascinating images will transport you back in time

• 14:22, 21 FEB 2022

Queen Elizabeth II has been a statesperson, ambassador and figurehead for the country for 70 years.

Throughout her reign she has travelled across the UK and Commonwealth - and has paid many a visit to Greater Manchester.

And these images capture everything from street parties and celebrations to Her Majesty on our streets talking to Mancunians in years gone by.

Read More: The amazing things you may not know Greater Manchester gave to the world

Some images show The Queen walking through the Manchester Evening News precinct in Spinningfield or silver Jubilee celebrations taking place in areas such as Hulme.

Whereas others show Her Majesty and husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on the set of the famous ITV soap Coronation Street.

To celebrate this year, we've produced a standalone Memory Lane special available to order in the online shop.

This limited collectors’ edition of Memory Lane is packed with pictures from those majestic 70 years on the throne, from the coronation and other major events in the country’s history to visits to our region. You can get a sneak peek of some of the images below.

The cover price is £3 and it goes on sale Wednesday, February 23, available in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents. Pre-orders are available via our online shop here .

Don't miss out. You might even spot someone you know in these fascinating, historic images!

You can order the Manchester Memory Lane special online here.

The Queen visits Bolton, Greater Manchester, December 1, 1988

The Queen visits Manchester, December 1, 1994. Pictured: Indoor Climbing Wall

Queen Elizabeth II visits Manchester. The Queen walks through the Manchester Evening News precinct in Spinningfield. June 23,1971

Queen Elizabeth II visits St Peters Square, Manchester. July 17, 1992

H M the Queen Silver Jubilee celebrations Dancing in the Streets. Residents of Millington Walk, Hulme, Manchester. June 7, 1977

Visit by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to the set of the famous ITV soap Coronation Street set in the fictional town of Weatherfield, July 1983

Street Party in Pinnington Road, Gorton North, in celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. May 1953

Queen Elizabeth II opens the Oakwood Cheshire Home at Offerton, Stockport. March 22, 1991

The Queen visits Manchester. May 16, 1968

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Windsor open the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester with Kirsty Howard and David Beckham in close attendance

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Visit of Queen Elizabeth II, Crowds in Albert Square, 1955

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1950s Manchester: photographs from the Guardian’s first picture library

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From children at play to couples at lunch these photographs give a snapshot of Manchester life in the 1950s, as seen by Guardian photographers. The Manchester Picture Library was set up in 1910 to manage the newspaper’s growing collection of photographs. The Library’s unique prints and negatives are now preserved in the Guardian News and Media (GNM) Archive.

Philippa Mole and Elisabeth Thurlow

Wed 7 May 2014 09.44 BST First published on Wed 7 May 2014 09.44 BST

Photograph: Guardian

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Queen victoria, manchester and a ship canal.

It was in October 1851 that Manchester first welcomed Queen Victoria to the region – the first monarch for 150 or so years – and both Manchester and Salford went to great lengths to host a memorable event. The escort for the royal party included a Guard of Honour of the Yeoman Cavalry who accompanied them as far as Cross Lane, the boundary between Pendleton and Salford. At this point the cavalry were dismissed “for fear of disturbances, as Peterloo was still fresh in the minds of the people.” 1851 had already been a significant year for Prince Albert with the Great Exhibition in London’s Hyde Park, an event which celebrated industry and technology, an important connection with Manchester. On Friday 10 th October the Queen and Prince Albert processed through Salford to Peek Park, where a suggested 80,000 Sunday school children performed the National Anthem, a moment which was considered to be the most celebrated of the visit: “One of the great moral features of Manchester – of the manufacturing districts generally – is the extent to which the Sunday-School system is carried… educating thousands who would otherwise have grown up in utter and deplorable ignorance”

From Peel Park the royal procession continued into Manchester which the Times described as, ‘a population new on the soil, very mixed, very laborious, accustomed to hear all sides of political questions and to decide them on Utilitarian principles’ .

In May 1857 Prince Albert arrived in Manchester, one month before the Queen, to open the Art Treasures Exhibition and also inaugurate one of the first portrait statues to be erected of Queen Victoria during her reign – a scene which would be replicated on a much grander scale in 1894.

With Albert’s death, Queen Victoria’s visits became fewer but – on Monday 21 st May 1894 – she visited Manchester to perform the official opening of a new Ship Canal. It had taken seven years to construct the canal and it now stretched for 35 miles, creating the city’s link to the open sea and independent shipping. In the years up to the visit, the city had experienced periods of both hardship and prosperity, with the depression of the 1870s and the continuing cycle of the cotton trade, thus the ship canal symbolised the future of not only cotton, but also trade in general for Manchester.  The Queen knighted the mayor of Salford, William Henry Bailey and the lord mayor of Manchester, Anthony Marshall at the opening of the Canal.  For many it was said that: “The strain of purely joyous sentiment suggestive of youth and high hope and bright anticipation, scarcely perhaps to be looked for in those more recent years” .

The Manchester Guardian hailed the importance and success of the visit, in which the Queen saw a Manchester that ‘did not exist in 1851 or 1857’ and quoted the Morning Post ’s claims that the ceremony was one of ‘exceptional interest and importance’ . Not only did the Queen officially open the canal, which represented technological and engineering advances, but she also viewed a city changed in appearance since her last visit. The Queen rode past the stately warehouses like that of Messrs. Watt on Portland Street; the newly built Manchester Town Hall and the Albert Memorial, in Albert Square – Manchester’s tribute to her late husband.

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Explore UK and More!

When Did The Queen Visit Manchester In The 1950S?

“When she visited Oldham in 1954, we stood on Manchester Road as her car came up. “I was 10 years old”, she said.

Did the Queen visit Manchester in 1950’s?

The Queen visits Oldham, Lancashire 22 Oct 1954 The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, arrived at Oldham Town Hall where she was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd who had waited patiently, undaunted by the appalling weather.

When did Queen Elizabeth visit Manchester?

The Queen visited the city in the summer of 1992 to open Manchester’s Metrolink and unveiled a plaque on St Peter’s Square, meeting a group of local school children as part of her visit.

Where did the Queen visit in the 1950s?

Her Royal Highness was at a safari lodge in Kenya, en route to Australia in 1952, when she received the news of her father’s death. She made haste back to England and by the time she came to Australia in 1954, the princess was our queen.

Did the Queen visit Manchester in 1960?

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit Manchester, a large city in the north of England, in May 1961 .

Did the Queen ever visit Manchester?

Queen Elizabeth II was no stranger to the North West during her 70-year reign. Throughout her life, she visited Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region to open buildings, visit the set of Coronation Street and even see the sites from a duck boat.

What towns did the Queen visit in 1954?

Sydney streets and buildings were decorated in preparation for the Royal Visit. The New South Wales portion of the tour included visits to Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Newcastle, Katoomba and Bathurst .

When did the Queen visit Salford?

1954 – Royal visit The block at the centre of the image has now been demolished. Royal visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Salford.

When did the Queen visit Stretford Manchester?

“The one that most sticks out in the mind was in 1977 on her Silver Jubilee tour,” says Goddard. “She was travelling from Leigh to Stretford, where we had a garden party in Longford Park attended by about 2,000 people. It was the first time a royal garden party had been held outside London.

When did the Queen visit Hyde Manchester?

The occasion of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Hyde, Ashton and Bredbury in 1967 when she came to plant trees on Werneth Low. Robert Cavill Robinson (2nd from right) was at that time leader of the local Labour Party and chairman of Bredbury and Romiley Council. His wife (far right) was chairman’s lady.

Where did the Queen visit in 1955?

In August 1955, Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh embarked on a tour of Wales. The royal party visited Brecon during this tour, including Newton Park , where the Brecknockshire Agricultural Society were hosting a show.

Where did the Queen go in 1959?

In the summer of 1959, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, embarked on a 15,000-mile, 45-day tour of all the Canadian provinces and four of the Great Lakes .

What did Queen Elizabeth do in the 1950s?

In October 1956, Queen Elizabeth became the first monarch to personally open the Canadian Parliament , and the following year continued her travels, visiting Portugal, France, Denmark and the United States of America, where she addressed the United Nations General Assembly.

When did the Queen visit Manchester in the 1960s?

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Where did the Queen visit in 1953?

To see the Queen For those New Zealanders who experienced it, the visit of the young Queen and her dashing husband, Prince Philip, to New Zealand in the summer of 1953-54 was a never-to-be forgotten event.

Where did the Queen visit 1956?

Coventry visit 1956 Eight years on from her first visit, Elizabeth was back in Coventry and by this point she had been crowned Queen. During her visit she inspected members of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and met with South African War veterans.

Did the Queen visit Salford?

Images show the last time Queen Elizabeth II was in our region, when she visited Salford and Manchester Cathedral. On July 8 2021, Her Majesty was guided around the Coronation Street set in Media City to celebrate the shows 60th anniversary.

Did the Queen visit Bolton in the 1950s?

The Queen first visited Bolton in 1954 , a year after her Coronation, when the royal train pulled into Trinity Street Station for the start of her tour of Bolton.

When did Queen Elizabeth visit Stockport?

The Queen visited Withington Hospital in 1982 – and Stockport in 1991 , taking a look around the shops at Merseyway.

What did Queen Elizabeth do in 1954?

12 January 1954 marks a historic moment in the centennial year of the New Zealand Parliament. It was the day on which Queen Elizabeth II opened a special session of our Parliament – the first time a reigning monarch opened the New Zealand Parliament.

What did the Queen do in 1955?

In 1955 The Queen’s Christmas Message was broadcast live from her study at Sandringham . Her theme was the opportunities arising from membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. No doubt you have been listening, as I have, to the messages which have been reaching us from all over the world.

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What club does liam neeson support, what are the top 3 russell group universities, how did salford city get on today, what do red devils do, how many care homes are in manchester, was salford lads club used in peaky blinders.

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Catalogue description Queen Victoria opening the Manchester Ship Canal on 21st May, 1894. The Mayor of Salford and the Lord Mayor of Manchester are presented to Her Majesty

This record is held by greater manchester county record office (with manchester archives).

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A look back at Her Majesty the Queen's incredible visits to Yorkshire

The Queen visited a number of towns and cities across Yorkshire during her remarkable reign

• 05:00, 9 SEP 2022
• Updated 06:32, 8 SEP 2023

During her time on the throne, Her Majesty the Queen attended countless public engagements, visiting towns and cities across the globe.

Her Majesty made many visits to Yorkshire during her 70-year reign. Her first visit to the county was in July of 1949 shortly after her wedding to Prince Philip. She began a three day tour of the West Riding where 50,000 people gathered to welcome Her Majesty at Roundhay Park.

The visits continued over the years and she returned for many openings, centenaries and anniversaries. Here we take a look back at the visits Queen Elizabeth II paid to our region.

Read more: King Charles marks first anniversary of the Queen's death by paying touching tribute and releasing favourite photo

King Charles III released the message to mark the first anniversary of his mother's death

The Queen visited Doncaster in 1953 during her Coronation year. She was accompanied by then Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. During her visit she attended Doncaster Racecourse and was also welcomed at York Racecourse and the Harewood Horse Trials.

The Royal Family were no strangers to the Great Yorkshire Show. On three occasions, The Queen visited the show in Harrogate. The first occasion was during her 1977 Silver Jubilee year.

It was during her visit to the show in 1977 that she went on to make a number of appearances across the county visiting York, Hull, Wakefield and Leeds where she made a special visit to Elland Road Stadium to watch a Youth Festival in her honour with 40,000 people. Most recently, the Queen made a visit 12 years ago on the show's 150th anniversary.

Being the Monarch, Queen Elizabeth was in attendance at a number of major openings often seen up and down the country. In Yorkshire, The Queen officiated the 900th anniversary of Selby Abbey in 1969 and the opening of the Humber Bridge in 1981 - in which she distributed the Royal Maundy money seven times.

Starting in 1949 the Queen made her first visit to Huddersfield, along with her husband Prince Philip they visited Ramsden Street and then in 1990 the Queen visited again to open a rugby club. In 2007 crowds met her again in St George's Square.

In 1950, The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, visited Beverly Minster. Her Majesty later returned on July 12, 2002 and attended a service at Beverley Minster and visited the racecourse.

On April 4, 1985, The Queen met with the Lord Mayor of Harrogate for a walk along Station Parade. The day after she visited Fountains Abbey, no stranger to Royals as the Queen Mother would often visit these historic, ancient ruins.

In 1993 she visited Hull to board the Royal Yacht Britannia which arrived in King George Dock during her visit. In June of 1999 the Queen made another trip to Hull, arriving at Paragon Station to be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Richard Marriott.

The people of Bradford were witness to Royal visits from the beginning of her reign right until her Diamond Jubilee. Often crowds would gather in the city's Centenary Square, the first occasion was just a year-and-a-half into her reign.

18 months after her coronation on Thursday, October 28, 1954, the Queen visited Bradford as part of a nationwide tour which followed months of state visits to Commonwealth countries. This was Bradford's first Royal visit since 1942 when King George VI Queen Elizabeth toured the city in the wartime.

The Queen also visited the cricket ground at Bradford Park Avenue, and was sang to by 30,000 school children. She and Prince Philip returned on November 12, 1974 to officially open the city's police headquarters.

On March 27 - 1997 - with Prince Philip - the Queen visited for a third time for the centenary of Bradford's royal charter, she distributed Maundy money and visited Centenary Square to unveil a plaque and pay respects at the Bradford City fire memorial.

Their fourth visit came on May 24, 2007 when the Queen and Prince Philip returned again to Centenary Square, arriving at Bradford Interchange where they were introduced to Yorkshire dignitaries with hundreds of cheering people. She was given flowers by the daughter of murdered Bradford policewoman Sharon Beshenivsky.

On July 19, 2012 Saltaire was draped with red, white and blue when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the World Heritage Site as part of their Diamond Jubilee tour of the nation. Her Majesty also visited South Yorkshire a number of times. In October of 1954 she and Prince Philip visited Sheffield to attend schools and walk the streets to greet the people, only a couple of years after she was crowned Queen. In 1975 during a Royal tour, The Queen opened Barnsley's new markets and visited Cannon Hall.

In 2010, Her Majesty was back in Sheffield watching a 3D display at the University of Sheffield Research Centre. She and Philip returned again in 2015 to attend an Easter Service, once again handing out Maundy Money.

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Queen Victoria opening the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894

The Queen at Manchester: Her Majesty, in the Admiralty Yacht "Enchantress," Opening the Ship Canal.

By Reginald Frontispiece Ltd

On leaving school in 1960, I worked in Fleet Street, in press photography. My interest in the printed image expanded to include vintage and antique prints. What was a collection became a business!

On this day May 26 in 1894 'The Illustrated London News' carried our antique print above the caption:

The Manchester Ship Canal is a man-made inland waterway, passing through Cheshire and Lancashire, and linking Manchester to the Irish Sea.

Manchester as a landlocked city believed itself to be held at ransom by the charges imposed by Liverpool's docks and railway companies as excessive, as a result it campaigned for, and achieved, an Act of Parliament authorising a ship canal.

Construction began in 1887 taking six years, costing £15 million, and resulting in a canal 36 mile long.

Soon after opening the Port of Manchester establish itself as the third busiest port in Britain notwithstanding its location 40 miles from the sea!

Barton Swing Aqueduct carries the Bridgewater Canal across the Ship Canal.

As well as the aqueduct, the Manchester Ship Canal has seven swing road bridges, five high level railway viaducts, four high level road bridges and several locks to raise ships the sixty foot rise from sea level to Manchester.

Edward Leader Williams, chief engineer, of the Manchester Ship canal, and the Barton Swing Aquaduct, was  knighted by Queen Victoria on 2 July by Letters Patent.  

After the opening of the ship-canal, Sir Edward took charge of the canal until 1905, before becoming its Consulting Engineer until ill-health led to his retirement.

He died in 1910.

View our image from the collection of Frontispiece Ltd here: https://www.mapsandantiqueprints.com/shop/antique-prints/manchester-ship-canal/#.XsvLmzpKg2w

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