Art Nouveau & Art Deco in Manchester
Great British Heritage
Art Nouveau & Art Deco Tour in Manchester
This fantastic tour looks at the wonderful architectural world of Art Nouveau and Art Deco through the prism of Manchester, with enthusiast and expert, Professor Anne Anderson.
As with so many other cities around the world, fuelled by the golden age of Hollywood and mass cinema and theatre attendances, Manchester was one of the UK cities that embraced Art Nouveau and Art Deco with the most vigour, leaving a legacy of outstanding buildings, which have survived the post-war building boom, both in the city centre and outlying suburbs.
From civic and commercial buildings to churches, cinemas and galleries, Anne will take you on an inspirational journey back to the heyday of Art Nouveau and Art Deco a century ago.
From
£999
per person
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Professor Anne Anderson
Anne is an author, broadcaster and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, with a first degree in archaeology and a PhD in English. She was a senior lecturer in Art and Design History for fourteen years, specialising in the Aesthetic Movement, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism.
An experienced international speaker and published author, Anne has inspired Travel Editions travellers for more than fifteen years with her wit, wisdom and enthusiasm. Her tours reveal the connections between architecture, interiors and design, bringing the artistic revolutions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries vividly to life.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Arrive at the Malmaison Hotel, Manchester Piccadilly
This evening there will be a welcome drink, dinner with wine and talk from Prof. Anne Anderson: ‘An Overview of Art Nouveau and Art Deco Buildings in the Greater Manchester Region’.
Day 2: Manchester City Centre, Burnage & Wythenshawe
Our day of architectural immersion starts with a guided walk, led by Anne Anderson of the North and East districts of central Manchester, which will take in the exteriors of several significant Art Deco landmarks, including the Daily Express Building, reminiscent of their London office in Fleet Street, King Street Bank, the Town Hall extensions including Central Library and Rates Hall, St Peter’s Square Cenotaph and Charles Sargeant Jagger’s Memorial Sentry statue.
After free time for lunch (not included), we head out of the city to see two extraordinary churches. The first being St Nicholas at Burnage, the first church designed by the architect Nugent Francis Cachemaille Day, built in 1931 and described by architectural historian Sir Nicholas Pevsner as “a milestone in the history of church architecture in England.” From here we head west to the church of St Michael and All Angels at Wythenshawe, another of Cachemaille Day’s creations, this time from 1937, star-shaped with impressive stained glass windows and a chandelier. Dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: Plaza Cinema Stockport & Manchester Art Gallery
Our first visit of the day is to the Art Deco cinema masterpiece: Stockport Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre, that has been lovingly restored, with regular film showings as well as plays, pantomime and other performances. We’ll get to hear its famous organ as we tour the building. Next we drive to Victoria Baths, one of Britain’s finest historic swimming pools with beautiful stained glass windows, mosaic floors, and iconic green tiles.
We enjoy a guided tour here to learn about the history of the building and its many decorative features. We will have free time for lunch in Manchester (not included) before our final visit of the day to the excellent Manchester Art Gallery to continue our study of the art and design of this period by viewing the superb 1920s and 1930s paintings and sculptures on show. Second talk by Anne: ‘From Arts & Crafts to Art Nouveau: Edgar Wood to Tiffany’ followed by dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Middleton & Accrington
Our first visit today is to Middleton to visit The Arts & Crafts Church, a stunning masterpiece designed by Edgar Wood. We will also have a guided walking tour of the other Edgar Wood experimental buildings and see how he gradually changed the Arts & Crafts into art deco. Our final visit of the day and the tour will be the Haworth Art Gallery, Lancashire’s finest Arts & Crafts house and garden.
Designed by the architect, Walter Brierley it houses the internationally important Tiffany Glass Museum, home to the largest collection of Tiffany in Europe. It was bequeathed by Joseph Briggs, a young engraver in Accrington, who emigrated to America and worked his way up to become Tiffany’s right hand man and, eventually, the President of the company. His intention was that his collection should be for the people of Accrington. Lunch will be included at the gallery before a free flow visit of its rooms, Tiffany collecton and gardens.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“The visit to the Plaza Cinema in Stockport was a real highlight of this Art Deco tour. Everything was very well organised, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience from start to finish.”
Mr B, September 2025
“The hotel was very convenient for the station. The food was very good. Highlights were the Tiffany glass in Accrington and the Stockport Plaza.”
Kirwood, September 2024
“Anne and Scott were outstanding. They were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, efficient and friendly throughout the tour.”
Anonymous, September 2024
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Malmaison Hotel, Manchester Piccadilly
The four-star Malmaison Hotel is centrally located on Piccadilly, nestled amidst the city’s top shopping, dining, and entertainment hotspots and a 3 minute walk from the train station. Facilities at this stylish hotel include Malmaison Bar & Grill, and on-site spa, as well as comfortable rooms with all modern amenities including TV, WIFI, hairdryer, ironing board and iron, and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.
Hotel Website
Arriving by Car
From the A57M, take the exit signposted towards A6, turning left at the main set of traffic lights towards Piccadilly. Follow A6 – London Road towards Piccadilly Station. Cross over the set of traffic lights keeping Piccadilly Station on your right-hand side. Keep in the right hand lane and take the right hand turn at the traffic lights, continue to bear right crossing over the tram tracks. You will see Smoak Restaurant and the Malmaison Hotel on your left. Turn left at the next set of traffic lights. The hotel entrance is situated on the left-hand side. Pull in here to off-load any luggage if required then proceed to Q Park, Piccadilly Place which must be prebooked. Please note below car park is recommendation only and Malmaison Hotel can’t guarantee spaces.
Please note that there is no parking at the hotel. The nearest car park is Q Park, Piccadilly Place, on Whitworth Street and is a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Use postcode M1 3BS for sat nav. To claim a discount of 15%, tickets must be pre-booked here. Follow the pre-book instructions, use the code MMPP15 and enter your vehicle registration number, which will enable the barriers to open for you. If you would like to enter and exit multiple times during your stay please click the multiple entry option.
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
Fresh Adventures for Inquisitive Travellers
Why Choose Travel Editions?
Travel with purpose, passion, and like-minded companions, here’s what sets Travel Editions apart.
Designed for Travellers,
Not Tourists
Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.
Personal Service, Real People
Small, friendly team with no automated phone lines. Enjoy personal attention from our team.
Expert Tour Guides, Unique Insights
Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.
Win a 2027 Holiday for Two!
Sign Up To Our
Newsletter For A
Chance To Win
Our newsletter is where you will hear about new tours first, along with travel insights from our leaders and occasional notes from the destinations we visit. We send it thoughtfully: no noise, just the things we think you will genuinely want to read.
"*" indicates required fields
