Books & Friends Connection Tours

To celebrate Loneliness Awareness Week 2026, we’re teaming up with Manchester City of Literature to host a walking tour with a difference! Our Books & Friends: Connection Tours are less about history and more about meeting new people and discovering local places to connect. Using the Manchester UNESCO City of Literature Map, our relaxed tours will start at House of Books & Friends and feature a snapshot of the city’s literary highlights, what community activities they offer and how to get involved – perfect for all you bookworms out there! We will end the tour back at the bookshop where you’ll get the chance to know your group better over a free hot drink.

Tour Route (please note we will not enter any of the buildings other than House of Books & Friends on this tour)

Start: House of Books & Friends

Stop 2: Royal Exchange Theatre

Stop 3: The John Rylands Research Institute and Library

Stop 4: Waterstones Deansgate

Stop 5: The Portico Library

Stop 6: Central Library

End: House of Books & Friends

You can find a digital version of the City of Literature Map here.

Tour Timings:

Tour 1: 10:30 – 11:30

Tour 2: 13:00 – 14:00

Tickets

Our Connection Tours are free, but we kindly ask you to book a ticket so we know how many people to expect. You can book your ticket online below or in person at the shop.

Tickets for Tour 1 (Saturday 20 June, 10:30 – 11:30)

Tickets for Tour 2 (Saturday 20 June, 13:00 – 14:00)

Access

Please see our access page for information about accessing the bookshop.

Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.com or call 07597365380 if you have any questions regarding accessibility.