Angel Meadow Manchester History Tour with Author Dean Kirby
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Step back in time to the rain-lashed streets of Angel Meadow – the Victorian Manchester slum so vile it was dubbed ‘Hell upon Earth’ by Friedrich Engels.
In the shadow of one of the world’s first cotton mills, 30,000 souls trapped by poverty are fighting for survival as the Industrial Revolution is built upon their backs.
Mancunian families are struggling to keep body and soul together in overcrowded lodging houses and deep cellars on the banks of the River Irk as gangs of scuttlers stalk the pavements outside.
In this new tour by me, historian and writer Dean Kirby, the author of the bestselling book Angel Meadow: Victorian Britain's Most Savage Slum, you will hear the hidden story of how the district and its people shaped one of the world's greatest cities.
Whether, like me, you are a descendant of Angel Meadow ancestors or have a burning passion to explore the history of Manchester, this tour is for you.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travelers unable to negotiate steps
What To Expect
St. Michael's Flags & Angel Meadow Park
Step back in time to the rain-lashed streets of Angel Meadow – the Victorian Manchester slum so vile it was dubbed ‘Hell upon Earth’ by Friedrich Engels. In the shadow of one of the world’s first cotton mills, 30,000 souls trapped by poverty are fighting for survival as the Industrial Revolution is built upon their backs. Mancunian families are struggling to keep body and soul together in overcrowded lodging houses and deep cellars on the banks of the River Irk as gangs of scuttlers stalk the pavements outside. In this tour by historian and writer Dean Kirby, the author of the bestselling book Angel Meadow: Victorian Britain's Most Savage Slum, you will walk alongside the River Irk, through the tree-lined Angel Meadow park and down streets where new apartments stand alongside former ragged schools and hear the hidden story of how the district and its people shaped one of the world’s greatest cities.
Options
Angel Meadow Manchester History Tour with Author Dean Kirby
What‘s Included
Bring a copy of my book and I'll sign and dedicate it for you.
Small group sizes so you can ask questions and have plenty of time to take photographs.
If your ancestors lived in Angel Meadow, contact me before and I'll mention them on the tour.
Regular stops where you’ll hear about the unusual characters who called Angel Meadow home.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
95 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Unforgettable Tour
850tetyanas,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing tour of Angel Meadow. I loved the human-story approach; it made the history feel personal, lived-in, and emotional, leaving me full of compassion for the people of Angel Meadow. I think Dean Kirby did a great job of presenting the story of Manchester. It is a dark story, but the tour ultimately felt light and hopeful by the end. Highly recommended!
Fascinating, immersive and absorbing
Christian L,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was already interested in Angel Meadow before I started the tour but left utterly absorbed and fascinated by it. Dean has a warm, subtle and authentic approach to bringing history to life, unlike other tours I've been on. His meticulous research and knowledge shined through in a way that always kept it grounded, lively and interesting. Despite there being nearly nothing left of the notorious slum, I could almost see these historical characters around me, scrambling to survive in their own way. An absolute must for anyone who lives in Manchester and wants to learn more about their own city, or anyone interested in social history.
Fabulous Angel Meadow Tour
O7198CCchrisw,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really interesting tour! Had read Dean’s book and met him at an event at Manchester Cathedral so booked his tour after that. Dean is a mine of information about Manchester which was helpful for a non- Mancunian trying to fill in my local history gaps. Would recommend highly!
5 Star Tour of Angel Meadow
jacob123 13,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely Fantastic time on the Angel Meadow Tour. Dean is outstanding as a guide, a fabulous storyteller, very informative and even went the extra mile to pinpoint where our great grandfather lived in 1880s including a description of the home from an old newspaper article he researched. I have lived in Manchester all my life and never knew so many interesting facts about my city. Highly recommend if you love history or have any ancestors from Angel Meadow. Dean is your guy!
Angel Meadow "Hell on earth"
fifimoin,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yesterday I joined Dean Kirby @deanwriteshistory Angel Meadow walking tour, and it was a fantastic experience. Our communities are rooted in history, and understanding our past helps shape our future. Dean brought the stories of Angel Meadow to life with passion and insight, giving me an even greater appreciation for Manchester and its rich heritage. I'd highly recommend the tour to anyone with an interest in our city's history. Sometimes, to build stronger communities for the future, we first need to understand the people that came before us.
An experience full of facts, places and a great way to spend an afternoon
F1zzg0g,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I read Dean's book a while ago and have talked about doing this tour for a while. My husband bought it for me as a surprise! Both myself and my daughter attended today. We both had a great time! Dean is both knowledgeable and informative and delivered the information with a nice sense of humour. Dean brought photos and pictures to put the history into context. We also enjoyed quotes from newspapers of the time, describing the events. Angel Meadows had a reputation and the tour described the characters and brought the places to life. It was also great to have this balanced out with the community spirit and good people that also lived there. I have not participated in a history tour before so I did not know entirely what to expect but this surpassed my expectations! I would 100% recommend and I would like to thank Dean for a fantastic afternoon.
Fascinating and gripping account of Manchester’s Angel Meadow
susanmH66XG,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dean is an expert on the history of Angel Meadow with a wealth of fascinating stories about some of the thousands people who lived their lives in this small corner of Manchester. We enjoyed our day immensely and would recommend the tour to anyone interested in history, especially Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
Interesting and enjoyable tour.
markaO1968HR,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting and enjoyable couple of hours walking tour with Dean, the author of Angel Meadow. Stories from the book were put into context as we walked around the area as Dean pointed out various buildings and places including Angel Meadow itself which looks just like a peaceful urban park but with such a horrid history buried beneath.
An insightful tour of Angel Meadows
billiemo,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dean Kirby met up with everyone in Sadler’s square. He was prompt and greeted us all. On the tour he was extremely informative and interesting and he had obviously done an enormous amount of research. His interest in the history of the area had started because of his family connections but his research had gone far beyond. My favourite part was the actual Angel Meadows part and Dean had a recording of the original church bell which was relocated when the church was demolished. But he also had photos and pictures of many parts of the walk which brought it all to life. The walk last almost 2 hours and left me wanting more but it was tiring for an old like me. Some had already bought Dean’s book and I have now ordered it. I can strongly recommend the tour but make sure you wear comfy shoes.
Angel Meadow in the sun.
T9977WIlizr,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour with Dean Kirby who is very knowledgeable and also humerus.
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Operated by Manchester History Tours