"The Lungs of the City": A Historical Walking Tour of Manchester's Air

Join The Material City for a 2-hour guided walking tour in Manchester city centre exploring the history of air in the city: smog, wind, weather, birds, transport, public health and pollution.

We’ll meet in front of the statue of Queen Victoria in Piccadilly Gardens and walk just over 1.5 miles to Mayfield Park.

About the Air tour

How do we talk about an invisible element? How has Manchester’s attitude to its air changed over time? How has air shaped everyday life in the city?

Join The Material City's air walking tour to find out.

On the way we’ll chat about smog, birds, planes, and wind. We’ll be talking about what is actually in air, how air moves through our bodies, and how humans change air. There will be stories about hot air balloons, sailing ships, politics and train brakes.