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International Women’s Day Walking Tour

In the week of International Women’s Day, join a unique walking tour to discover the history of Manchester women associated with the Oxford Road Corridor. Artists, writers, scientists, medics, campaigners – many were pioneers in their fields but may still lack recognition, including Elizabeth Gaskell.

The guided walk starts at Grosvenor Square (All Saints Park), off Oxford Road and will finish at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. The cost includes entry to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House so you can learn more about the writer, social reformer and radical.

Ticket price – £18 (£16 for students) includes the 90 minute walking tour, entry to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and a free copy of the new book ‘I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell’.

All proceeds from ticket sales support Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, an independent museum and registered charity which celebrates the life and literature of Elizabeth Gaskell.

Who can join the walk?

The walk is about women but not exclusively for women, so all adults welcome. The content includes some sensitive topics such as maternal death and baby loss, and so the walk is not suitable for children.

The walking route and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House are wheelchair accessible. Note that the only dogs allowed are assistance dogs – both on the walk and in the House.

Start of the walk

Meet in the middle of Grosvenor Square (All Saints Park), off Oxford Road. Your guide will be there to meet you from 10.20am and we’ll set off promptly at 10.30am.

Practicalities

The walk will last 90 minutes and you will arrive at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House at 12pm. A visit to the House lasts about an hour. We have a Tea Room which is open until 4pm.

Please dress for the weather and a walk around town. You’ll be outside for up to 90 minutes.

About your guide

Philippa Vishnyakov has been a qualified Green Badge Guide for Manchester since 2009 and has a particular interest in finding and highlighting the stories of women in the city’s history.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women’s advancement. Since 1911, IWD belongs to all who care about gender equality. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to forge gender parity. 

The IWD 2026 theme is Give To Gain, encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration. Give To Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase.

Keep the Pages Turning

Make a Donation to preserve and celebrate Women’s Heritage in Manchester. Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is run by Manchester Historic Buildings Trust (charity no. 1080606) and all money gained through private tours, talks, room hire and ticket sales goes towards the ongoing maintenance and running costs of the House. If you would like to support the House with an additional donation you can do so via this link.