Start location: Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester

Route summary:A short circular walk from Manchester Town Hall through Chinatown and along theRochdale canal.

Takes in the city centre sights of the Peace Gardens, Bridgewater Halland Manchester Art Gallery.

Route

From the Lord Mayor’s parlour, go downstairs but do not leave the Town Hall by the main entrance, instead continue straight on to the side entrance into Lloyd Street.

Turn left outside the entrance and walk to the end of Lloyd Street where you will see the Peace Gardens and the Tourist Information Centre.

Cross over the Peace Gardens diagonally left, to the main crossroads of Moseley Street and Princess Street.

until you reach Princess Street.

Cross the side road, Coopers Street,then continue ahead.

Use the pedestrian lights to cross over Moseley Street and then turn left to cross Princess Street (also at the pedestrian lights) ending up in the diagonal corner, with the Manchester Art Gallery in front of you. Turn right to continue along Princess Street.

Take the third left into Faulkner Street, with the big Chinese Arch ahead of you.

Walk through the arch and through Chinatown. Continue along this road until you reach the end (opposite the Ramada) Turn right into New York Street and continue until you get to the busy Portland Street.

Use the pedestrian crossing to cross Portland Street, then turn left along it briefly, then right into Minshull Street.

Just past the large Crown Court building on your left, turn right into the pedestrianised Canal Street.

Continue along Canal Street (crossing Chorlton Street and Sackville Street) and shortly before Princess Street, use the bridge across the canal and turn left to join the footpath of the Rochdale canal, walking on the left side of the canal (caution – steep slope here).

Walk under Princess Street.

Continue along the canal. Some parts of the canal path are narrow, if you are in a large group walk in single file, and also beware of cyclists.

Walk under Oxford Road and eventually you will see Rain Bar on your right hand side.

Just past the Rain Bar you will see a semicircular metal bridge.

Cross the canal here and walk towards the Rain Bar.

Do not cross the canal but take the small footpath on the left which goes under the bridge (caution, narrow footpath under bridge, could be slippery if damp. Walk single file).

Once you have passed under the bridge, continue to follow the canal, winding round to the right and coming out at the steps outside the Bridgewater Hall.

Walk up the steps (or slope) and when you reach the top turn right (passing the GMEX Manchester Central Convention Complex, on your left and cross the main road using the traffic lights (opposite Premier Inn).

Turn right and continue towards St Peter’s Square.

Again, use the pedestrian lights to cross Peter’s Street towards the library.

Walk past the library and then turn left into the pedestrianised Library Walk.

Turn right, cross Lloyd Street and return to the Town Hall via the side entrance.