Secret interiors tour of Manchester with some blogging mates?
I couldn’t get throughout the Paypal checkout fast enough.
I’ve known about these tours for a while, just never having the chance to to go on one. Finally the stars aligned, and I booked myself onto the Incredible Interiors tour.
The tour is a walking tour around the city centre of Manchester and lasts two hours. I’m not going to tell you every place we went to as that would kind of spoil it if you wanted to go on one.
One place I’ve wanted to go to for ages is the Vault in the old HSBC/Midland Bank on King Street. It is a stunning building, at 100 King Street and now houses Jamie’s Italian on the ground floor and the Gotham hotel on the floors above. The Vault is actually part of Jamie’s and is now a private dining area.
The vault has basically been kept as it was with just the addition of the dining table and chairs inside. Safe deposit boxes cover the walls. Found inside these when the bank officially closed and sold the building, were a variety of interesting things- Joy Division and New Order Master tapes, property Deeds- some of which dated back to 1935. I’d love to have been there when they were opening all the boxes that hadn’t been claimed.
Sadly I didn’t get any shots of the vault, there were a lot of people in a tiny room and the light isn’t great, there are photos online though so if I’ve piqued your curiosity then do have a look.
Just having the time to stop and appreciate the surroundings, outside and inside. Bliss!
Jonathan Schofield is the brains behind the tour and he runs many others. His knowledge is so in-depth about the history, myths and legends of Manchester, that I felt I could’ve asked him anything on the subject and he’d know the answer.
It felt like such a treat to be taken into these spaces with someone who knows what they’re talking about. Even more so to be on the tour with my interior blogger buddies. We geeked out a lot as you can imagine, and we barely stopped talking.
Find out more about these fantastic tours here. There’s loads of different ones to choose from.
Huge thanks to my Manchester blogger buddies Kimberly, Karen, Antonia, Karen and out honorary member for the day Emily.
susan earlam ~ horror author 
Gorgeous shots! Was such a lovely way to spend a few hours and it was so great to see you and the rest of the gang! xx
LikeLike
Ah thanks Kimberly- we’ll have to do another x
LikeLike
Aww look at me being all famous on your blog! 😉
It really was fab – always recommend his tours to my friends. Let’s book in another ❤ xx
LikeLike
Ah yeah! I’d love that- was looking at the Palace one x
LikeLike
What a fun idea, I’m off to check out what else he does. Glad you had a good time and enjoyed the chance to see some stunning places.
LikeLike
Rachel you’d love it! Totally book on one x
LikeLike
A great reminder of a fantastic afternoon out with great gals – I loved it and would like to try another of Jonathan’s tours, he really know his stuff and the buildings we visited were fab! xx
LikeLike
Ah thanks, we should book another
LikeLike
I bet you guys had great fun. I love nothing more than geeking out over interiors with people who actually get me.
LikeLike
Ah you’d love one of these xx
LikeLike
Beautiful shots and what an interesting tour! I’d love to do somehthing like this in Oxford. xx
LikeLike
Gorgeous shots, looks like a wonderful day out, it’s always nice to explore your own city! x
LikeLike
beautiful shots, what a great place to explore
LikeLike
Nawww, wished i’d been there. Looked like it was ‘mazin from all your insta pics!!x
LikeLike
Now that sounds like a great way to spend a couple of hours – no wonder you jumped at the chance! I love your images and fascinating details re the Vault. I wonder if they returned the demo tapes to the band members?
LikeLike
Ah you’d love it Kat- I’ll let you know if we do another xx
LikeLike
I would love a tour! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
Not heard of these before but sound very intetesting. Wonder if other cities have similar
LikeLike
The tour sounds interesting. I love the vault in Jamie’s, it has so much character.
LikeLike
I have never been to Manchester, this looks like a great way to be introduced to the city.
LikeLike
You should come for a visit!
LikeLike
Ah what a cool tour! Some great pictures – think I saw one on your Instagram and was absolutely floored!!
Bec x
LikeLike
Ah thanks Bec- thats nice of you you say!
LikeLike
This sounds like a fab day out and great seeing spaces and understanding the history behind them. X
LikeLike
This looks so interesting! My sister will be back in Manchester next year so I’m going to show her this! X
LikeLike
Wow, I didn’t know that tour existed, sounds the perfect way to discuss something new about Manchester.
LikeLike
Sounds like great fun!
LikeLike
Wonderful Photos! Thank you for your sharing!
LikeLike