The Old Wellington Inn, Manchester

The Old Wellington Inn, Manchester

This unique half-timbered pub in Manchester city centre, steeped in history, has been around since 1552. Originally built next to the Market Square, on what is now Market Street, the building was moved 300 metres (980 ft) from its original site towards Manchester Cathedral, to form Shambles Square, as part of the redevelopment programme completed in 1999.

Nicknamed ‘The Old Welly’, this is the oldest building of its kind in Manchester and, in 1554, is was made part of the draper's shop, owned by the Byrom family. It was here that in 1692 the writer John Byrom, inventor of an early form of shorthand, was born. In 1830, the building became a licensed public house, first known as the Vintners Arms, and later the Kenyon Vaults. By 1865, the ground floor of the building was taken up by the Wellington Inn, while the upper floors were used by makers of mathematical and optical instruments. In 1897, the upper floors accommodated a fishing tackle shop, which was called very much so – "Ye Olde Fyshing Tackle Shoppe".

In the 1970s, along with the Old Shambles, the Inn was raised by 1.4 metres. In the aftermath of the 1996 Manchester bombing which left the building damaged and took nearly a year and £500,000 to repair, it was decided that it should be dismantled and rebuilt anew nearby. Today, The Old Wellington delights visitors with a rich choice of great pub food, real ales and exciting range of premium gins. If all this sounds like your kind of fun, make sure to pop in and check out this ancient monument of a pub, while in Manchester!

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Manchester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Download 'GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities' app for IOS   Download 'GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities' app for Android

The Old Wellington Inn on Map

Sight Name: The Old Wellington Inn
Sight Location: Manchester, England (See walking tours in Manchester)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Manchester, England

Create Your Own Walk in Manchester

Create Your Own Walk in Manchester

Creating your own self-guided walk in Manchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Manchester Museums Tour

Manchester Museums Tour

Filled with history and important in many domains including industry, economy and culture, Manchester is the city of heritage that is an attraction itself. If you’re interested in learning interesting facts about the city, take this self guided tour and have your questions answered.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Edwardian Architecture Tour

Edwardian Architecture Tour

A product of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester is noted for its warehouses, railway viaducts, cotton mills and canals, reflecting the most ambitious and exciting phase of its past. Much of the city's architecture developed during the reign of King Edward VII, 1901-1910, which gave birth to the Edwardian architectural style so much popular in the United Kingdom at the turn of the 20th...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Manchester Historical Architecture Tour

Manchester Historical Architecture Tour

Manchester’s architectural scene is rich in style variety. Throughout centuries, the city has evolved in phases, each of which left its own peculiar imprint on its tapestry. There are medieval red-brick buildings in Manchester coexisting with concrete-and-glass structures from the modern era. On this self-guided walk you will visit some of the most important historical architecture in the city.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Manchester Introduction Walking Tour

Manchester Introduction Walking Tour

The seventh most populated city in England, Manchester is an important cultural, industrial and historic center.

The recorded history of Manchester began with the civilian settlement associated with the Roman fort established circa 79 AD on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell. Having been a manorial township throughout the Middle Ages, Manchester enjoyed rapid...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Top Religious Sites in Manchester

Top Religious Sites in Manchester

Manchester has many places of worship that serve different religions. Baptists, Roman catholics or other congregations have found their place in the city. Check out the listed religious sites of Manchester to appreciate their beauty on this self guided walking tour.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Oxford Road Tour

Oxford Road Tour

One of the main avenues of Manchester is Oxford Road. Locals and tourists find the area equally attractive as it features some of the city's main culture and higher education institutions like the Manchester Museum, the Contact Theater, the Whitworth Art Gallery and the Dancehouse. Take your this self guided walk to explore the attractions on Oxford Road.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Top 10 Cafes and Sweet Shops in Manchester

Top 10 Cafes and Sweet Shops in Manchester

Heading up Oldham Street from Picadilly Gardens you arrive at The Northern Quarter; the ‘cool’ part of Manchester, think Brooklyn, Shoreditch, Le Marais; trendy young things with fancy haircuts frequent the coffee houses, boutique and vintage shops during the day and the bars once night-time...