Our guided tours present the history and architecture of the baths in a fascinating way. Led by our very experienced volunteer guides, they provide a memorable experience.
We have regular public tours which can be booked in advance here, as well as private tours for groups or educational visits, which need to be booked directly with us.
Families can create new memories at Victoria Baths; children really enjoy exploring the building and hearing about the history behind it, especially how previous generations used to come here for a swim, a bath and to do their washing!. Older children are welcome to join our public guided tours and they’re free for under 16s.
Discover Victoria Baths
This guided tour covers the history of the building, including uses of the main spaces. You will see the many amazing decorative features – stained glass windows, mosaic floors, glazes tiles, terracotta and the Turkish Baths suite, as well as the three pool halls.
You can join this tour during our weekly Welcome Tuesday (between 21st April to 29th September) and tickets are available here.
Other Guided Tours
The Off-Limits tour visits areas of the building not usually accessed by the general public, including the undercroft of the pools, the boiler house and water treatment room. Please note this tour is temporarily unavailable due to essential maintenance in off-limits areas.
Private Tours
We can provide a private tour for your group, tailored to suit any age group. These are available on Tuesdays during our open season or selected days outside that season. Please email for details.
After your tour
For private tour groups a range of refreshments can be provided, please email for options.
At the end of each public tour the Victoria Baths Tea Room serves hot and cold drinks and light snacks. You can also book our highly-recommended Cream Tea in advance when purchasing your tour ticket.
Our Shop has a range of items from souvenirs of the Baths to mementos of Manchester, there is something for everyone.
The links below provide information on other attractions in the area to help you plan a full day’s itinerary.
Make a day of it
Manchester has a great range of smaller heritage attractions as well as the main galleries and museums. Here are those close to Victoria Baths which you could combine on a visit the same day.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
This beautifully restored home opened for visitors in October 2014. The famous author lived there with her family and wrote novels including Mary Barton, Cranford, North and South, Ruth and Wives and Daughters.
0161 273 2215
The Pankhurst Centre
This houses a heritage centre which tells the story of the Suffragette movement. The centre welcome visits and can take groups up to 15 people at a time.
0161 273 5673
The Whitworth
A gallery that is both historic and contemporary, academic and playful. The Whitworth can be found just down the road from Victoria Baths.
0161 275 7450
Gorton Monastery
The Monastery operated as a consecrated place of worship until 1989, when the building and grounds were sold to property developers for a project that was later abandoned. After many years of painstaking restoration, Manchester Monastery operates as a commercial venue.
0161 223 3211
If you have any questions please call on 0161 224 2020 or alternatively email enquiries@victoriabaths.org.uk