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Hidden tunnels and ghosts: The secrets of Manchester’s iconic The Midland hotel
Have you stayed at this iconic hotel?
As you walk through the streets of Manchester city centre, you’ll be impressed by both its old and new architecture, particularly the historic hotel The Midland.
We visited one of the city’s proudest landmarks to discover the secrets and stories it’s built upon, that make it more than just bricks and mortar.
This magnificent Grade II listed building was designed by architect Charles Trubshaw in an Edwardian Baroque style and opened by the Midland Railway Company in 1903.
It was first used to accommodate wealthy rail travellers using Manchester Central railway station – which was later called the G-Mex but more recently renamed Manchester Central once again – to commute from London.
Visitors would enjoy the hotel’s luxurious features including an ornate Gentleman’s Concert Hall and theatre, a reading room and a billiards room.
But in 1922, the concert hall was converted into more bedrooms, which are the hotel’s modern-day hotel suites.
In the years gone by, the hotel has welcomed a number of A-list guests including Sir Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Pavarotti, the Queen Mother and The Beatles.
But most famously, it’s the place where Charles Rolls met Henry Royce in 1904, which is marked with a blue plaque and a Rolls Royce car positioned on the steps to the hotel.
Our team went down to explore the many layers that make up this iconic landmark, guided by the hotel’s human resources manager, Alex.
Starting with the foundations of this magnificent historic building, we began our journey in the basement as we made our way through its underground passages including the hotel’s very own moat.
These secret tiled underpasses would have once been used by the rich upper classes, perhaps so as not to mix with the general population or to avoid any attention.
Alex tells of how the basement on the gentlemen’s side of the hotel once housed an underground casino, a barbers and a post office – before it underwent a refurbishment in the ‘80s.
Also in the basement lies the old laundry rooms which are no longer in use. This is where the maids would wash the linen for over 300 rooms with the steam being seen from the pavement above on Lower Mosley Street.
As you can imagine, the hotel has a few ghost stories. As we headed up the stairs and looked over the Octagon bar, we discovered the tales of wandering ghosts along the hotel’s corridors.
The ghostly spirits, though rarely seen, include a barber who has been heard cutting hair in the space that was once the barbershop, a child and the Lady in Grey – who it’s assumed was once a permanent guest in the hotel and now walks the corridors she once called home.
We then headed up to the rooftop via the grand old staircase and unlocked the doors to step foot above the building.
The roof terrace was once an elaborate Winter Garden where guests could enjoy afternoon tea and admire the views across what Manchester would have once looked like.
However, the smoke and soot from chimneys and fires at the time hampered the views and likely made it unpleasant for guests to breathe. The rooftop gardens closed in 1910.
But these days the skies look much clearer and a view of the city’s skyline from the top of the Midland reminds you just how impressive a city Manchester really is.
This hotel also offers top notch food where guests can indulge in some fine dining at chef Adam Reid’s The French.
If you’re looking for a luxury city break or even just a luxurious self-indulgent staycation, head to The Midland hotel.
You can book yourself a room HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
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Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
