Grab a table at one of the cafés for a drink and some people-watching and admire the impressive heritage-listed civic buildings in St. Peter’s Square. The square is rich in local history, with a cenotaph that commemorates those lost in the First World War, and the site of a 19th-century political protest that ended in tragedy.
On 16 August 1819, 60,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Square to peacefully protest for political reforms. The response from the authorities was a charging cavalry that injured hundreds and killed 11 people. The incident is known as the “Peterloo Massacre” and is still firmly etched into the city’s conscience. A large contemporary memorial was erected in 2013, and a plaque on a nearby hotel remembers those who lost their lives.
At the western end of the square sits the circular-shaped Manchester Central Library, which, along with the square itself, is currently undergoing extensive renovation and improvement. Have a look at the City Council website for more information before you visit. At the time of writing (mid-2013), the Messenger of Peace sculpture and the Peace Garden are still prominent features on the square.
Head to the grand Midland Hotel, one of Manchester’s classiest and most beautiful hotels. Built at the turn of the 20th century in an Edwardian-Baroque style, the hotel is believed to have been considered by Adolf Hitler as a potential site for his Nazi headquarters in Britain, and this is why it wasn’t bombed during the Second World War. Visit the hotel restaurant for some fine dining, but remember to dress for the occasion – even The Beatles were turned away once for not dressing appropriately!
St. Peter’s Square is a pedestrian-only zone, so if you’re driving, you can leave the car in the undercover NCP (National Car Park) car park nearby. Alternatively, hop on a bus, tram or Metrolink, or take a taxi.
