Exploring England #18
As we explored the streets of Manchester, I spent much of my time admiring the elaborate façades of the buildings. During the Industrial Revolution, the city was the centre of the nation’s textile industry and many of the buildings reflect the enormous wealth created by many but enjoyed by just a few. Luckily, these beautiful buildings can now be appreciated by everyone.
The Eternal Traveller 
The architecture here is amazing Carol. There really was a huge divide between rich and poor in those days and I couldn’t begin to imagine what it would have been like for those actually working in the textile industry. These are great shots.
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I don’t know if this is the same time period but my image of the life of textile workers was formed by “The Song of the Shirt” http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/hood/shirt.html Did you learn that one at school?
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I haven’t seen this poem before but I imagine this is what it would have been like for the workers. It would have been a very hard life.
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Dianne, the buildings really are beautiful but it is good to remember those who created the wealth that paid for them. I spent a lot of time looking up at the rooflines in Manchester! The shapes were wonderful.
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You captured some gorgeous angles and the sky cooperated beautifully! How lovely. 🙂
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We had wonderful weather in Manchester – great for taking looking up photos!
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Your sky really makes the pictures. It’s also amazing how you can get the whole building in one shot. 🙂 I’ve got to get back and start in on my AU series. My friend Margaret and I sat down and went through my photos (not all 1,500 of them, but up to Ballarat). There are some excellent photos in the group. The flowers and the bridges in Melbourne. Some of the angle shots are amazing. I just have to get my act together! 🙂 Have a great week. Talk about you all the time. 🙂
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So many of those buildings seem to just sport fancy facades – and so many favoured the Gothic look too – it kind of suits the situation doesn’t it. Great photos ET!
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Pauline, I suspect these buildings are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the exterior. We went inside a library and a church which were both so elaborately ornamented.
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Such beautiful and fancy buildings. 😃
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And there were many more just like these.
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Such a lot of details on each building.
janet
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Yes Janet, the workmanship is wonderful. Manchester has many listed buildings and these are just a sample. The inner city is quite beautiful.
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Thank You presenting to us awesome architecture. I love Your photos.
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Thank you. There were so many of these beautiful buildings.
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Lovely share, Carol. I love those beautiful domes. 🙂
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I love the shapes of the buildings against the sky too.
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I can’t seem to take to Manchester. Maybe I’m biased as a northern lass but I do prefer Leeds 🙂 The number of beggars on the streets in both seems to be on the increase and I hate it. Great shapes though, Carol! I like your viewpoint because you’re not biased.
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I noticed your comment because I’ve lived in both cities. Both have a great deal to offer, but I do find Manchester more exciting. Though I am now Country Mouse, and after a while, I have to retreat from any big city.
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There was so much happening in Manchester when we were there and the city centre was buzzing. I’m a bit like you, Margaret. I love to visit but I’m pleased to be home at the end too, where it is much more quiet.
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I love the buzz of a city but I’m equally happy far from the madding crowd. 🙂 Leeds has changed a lot in recent years. I know it reasonably well because my son lives there. Manchester I’m making a hasty from a bus window judgement of, as is sometimes my want. It’s a character flaw 😦 😦
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Easy to do!
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Join the club!
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We didn’t go to Leeds, so I can’t compare. But our daughter loved living in Manchester and took great pleasure in showing us all the special places. I can’t recall seeing many beggars but maybe I was too busy looking up.
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Thanks for taking me back to a city I once knew well. Great shots.
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Glad you enjoyed it Margaret. These buildings are so beautiful.
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I found Manchester really interesting! The old buildings yes but also the new food scene there! 🙂
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We had some very tasty meals there.
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Great photos
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There were so many lovely buildings to photograph.
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They really don’t make buildings like they used to. Amazing architecture.
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These buildings were showcases of the Industrial Revolution. I loved looking at them, Miriam.
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Ok, I’m starting at #18, but I’ll work my way back eventually. 🙂 I love the facades of these buildings. I’ve never been to Manchester; is it very industrial looking overall?
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Considering its history, Manchester isn’t industrial looking at all. The buildings in the city centre are beautiful – the power of money made in the industrial era.
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