Slums, squalor and salvation

1840. Manchester is booming. Its cotton industry is world famous. But life expectancy is just 26.

The story of Victorian Manchester is usually one which celebrates industrial expansion, technological advancements and economic growth. But there was another side. For ordinary people who worked in the mills and factories, life was hard, poverty was widespread and life expectancy was very short.

On this walk, you will discover another side of nineteenth century Manchester: teeming slums and squalid living conditions, widespread disease and chronic health conditions, child labour and illiteracy, drinking and prostitution.

In those days, the state did not provide any financial or material support to the poor. But many religious people were moved by the appalling living conditions of the working classes and decided to do something about it. Find out about the institutions that provided a variety of welfare services and made the difference between life and death for the urban poor.

Walk Info

Distance:

3 miles

Level:

A largely flat route around the city centre and its fringes

Suitable for:

An entirely step-free route

Region:

North West England

Setting:

Towns & Cities

Landscape:

Historic landscapes People in the landscape Built landscapes

Start:

Manchester Victoria railway station

Finish:

Manchester Cathedral

Getting there:

Easily accessible from M6 and M62

Nearest stations Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly

Well served by long distance coaches and local bus services