Designed to be the grandest baths in Britain when they opened in 1906, this Grade II–listed Edwardian classic retains much of its former grandeur despite being left virtually derelict for more than 30 years. A laborious restoration of its three pools, Turkish bath and the stunning art nouveau decor is underway, and the governing trust runs excellent, hour-long guided tours of the building every Wednesday.
![People Swimming in the Men's First Class Pool at Victoria Baths in Manchester, which is having an open swim day to raise funds for restoration work. - Image ID: J4XR5T](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-03/England%20Manchester%20PA%20Images%20Alamy%20J4XR5T%20RFE.jpg?w=1920&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cedges&auto=format&q=75)
PA Images/Alamy
Victoria Baths
Top choice in Manchester
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
29.72 MILES
Known as the 'Palace of the Peak', this vast edifice 3 miles northeast of Bakewell has been occupied by the earls and dukes of Devonshire for centuries…
28.51 MILES
One of England's most impressive collections of sculpture is scattered across the formidable 18th-century estate of Bretton Park, 200-odd hectares of…
1.95 MILES
Manchester's rich industrial legacy is explored in this excellent museum set within the enormous grounds of the old Liverpool St station, the oldest rail…
2.12 MILES
The story of Britain's 200-year march to democracy is told in all its pain and pathos at this superb museum, housed in a refurbished Edwardian pumping…
0.54 MILES
Manchester's second most important art gallery is arguably its most beautiful, following a restoration that saw the doubling of its exhibition space…
1.67 MILES
A superb collection of British art and a hefty number of European masters are the highlights at the city's top art gallery. It's home to the best…
Chetham's Library & School of Music
2.12 MILES
Founded in 1653 in a building that dates from 1421, Chetham's is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world, a trove of dark shelves lined…
18.65 MILES
Adjoining Buxton's opulent opera house are the equally flamboyant Pavilion Gardens. These 9.3 hectares are dotted with domed pavilions; concerts take…
Nearby Manchester attractions
0.32 MILES
The author of Mary Barton and Cranford lived in this elegant Regency style villa from 1850 until her death in 1865. Now a fine museum devoted to Gaskell…
0.54 MILES
Manchester's second most important art gallery is arguably its most beautiful, following a restoration that saw the doubling of its exhibition space…
0.97 MILES
If you're into natural history and social science, this extraordinary museum is the place for you. It has galleries devoted to archaeology, archery,…
1.41 MILES
A statue of the noted mathematician, code breaker and gay martyr Alan Turing, who taught at the University of Manchester from 1946–52, when he lost his…
1.67 MILES
A superb collection of British art and a hefty number of European masters are the highlights at the city's top art gallery. It's home to the best…
6. Greater Manchester Police Museum
1.68 MILES
One of the city's best-kept secrets is this superb museum housed within a former Victorian police station. The original building has been magnificently –…
1.72 MILES
Britain's largest municipal library was built in 1934 to resemble the Roman Pantheon. A major refurbishment has seen the addition of a wonderful Children…
1.77 MILES
Manchester's most impressive building is the Grade I–listed town hall, completed in 1877 after a design by Alfred Waterhouse. The Great Hall is decorated…