What's On

Women of Oxford Road Walking Tour

Calling students and the curious!

Join us for a unique walking tour to discover the history of Manchester women associated with the Oxford Road Corridor as part of The Cultural Welcome programme. 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.

Standard ticket price is £18 and includes the 90 minute walking tour and entry to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. With support from our friends at Oxford Road Corridor, students can come for FREE as part of The Cultural Welcome. Spaces are limited so booking is essential for all ticket types.

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 aimed at students, but everyone is welcome (although only students go free). 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.

The Cultural Welcome

The Cultural Welcome runs from 5–11 October 2026, offering students the chance to discover the rich arts, culture and heritage of the Oxford Road Corridor.

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.