Manchester Town Hall

Manchester Town Hall faces Albert Square in the centre of Manchester, England, and is among the finest examples of Victorian Gothic Revival civic architecture in the country. It was designed by the architect Alfred Waterhouse, who won a competition in 1867, and built between 1868 and 1877 to house the municipal government of a city then at the height of its cotton-based wealth. The building uses Pennine stone and combines a triangular plan, adapted to the awkward site, with a central clock tower rising about 85 metres and holding a carillon of bells. The Great Hall, which is the principal interior space, is decorated with twelve murals painted by Ford Madox Brown between 1879 and 1893, depicting episodes from Manchester's history, including the Roman fort, the Danes, John Dalton and the Flemish weavers. Interior features include stone vaulted corridors, a grand staircase, stained glass and carved decoration with motifs of bees, which have become a symbol of the city's industry. A programme of restoration and refurbishment, called the Our Town Hall project, began in the 2010s and has repaired the tower, roofs and stonework, with the building partially closed to the public while works continued. The Town Hall has served as the setting for civic ceremonies, receptions and film and television productions, and its Gothic interiors have appeared in historical dramas. Public access is limited: visitors may join guided tours, attend open events such as Heritage Open Days, or visit the Albert Square exterior and the Memorial Hall at times. Because opening arrangements change, visitors are advised to check the council website for current availability. The Albert Memorial in the square, and the surrounding Christmas market in winter, add to the setting. It remains the seat of Manchester City Council, so some parts are in daily use.