One of Manchester city centre’s beloved and most recognisable pieces of architecture has received a worthy accolade.
John Rylands Library has been voted one of the most beautiful libraries in Europe.
By collecting data from Google reviews over previous years, holiday rental site Holidu compiled a bucket list of the top ten most beautiful libraries across the continent – which includes five modern and five historic – that are considered to be a must-see at least once in a lifetime.
The Manchester masterpiece took the number one spot.
John Rylands Library was the only library in the UK to make the list, sitting alongside a collection of other stunning libraries in Vienna, Helsinki, Warsaw, Paris, Copenhagen, Stuttgart, Admont, Venice and Paris.
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Founded in 1889 by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her late husband, John Rylands – an entrepreneur and philanthropist, who also happened to be the city’s first ever multi-millionaire – the impressive neo-Gothic building situated in the heart of Manchester city centre was designed by architect Basil Champneys and took 10 years to build.
The neo-Gothic building was designed by architect Basil Champneys and took 10 years to build / Credit: Flickr
With a catalogue of 1.4 million items, the John Rylands Library houses an extensive selection of books and many special collections.
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The library became part of The University of Manchester in 1972, and now houses the majority of Special Collections of The University of Manchester Library – which is the third largest academic library in the country.
The library has also earned an average Google review of 4.8 stars out of 466 reviews.
The Deansgate building finished top of Holidu’s ‘old-school’ library list, being joined in the top five by Stiftsbibliothek Admont in Austria, which is the oldest monastery library in the world, and the Kloster Wiblingen in Ulm, which is a classic example of Rococo art.
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The Biblitoeca Marciana in Venice – which contains one of the most important collections of Greek, Latin and Oriental manuscripts – comes in at number four, and the Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris takes the fifth spot.
The Deansgate-based building came atop of Holidu’s ‘old-school’ library list / Credit: Flickr The library earned an average Google review of 4.8 stars out of 466 reviews / Credit: Flickr
Us Mancunians know that John Rylands Library is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, but now its beauty has been recognised throughout Europe.
Was there ever any doubt?
Featured Image – Visit Manchester
UK News
The ‘loneliest house in Britain’ with no vehicle access is on the market, with £50k slashed off the price
Daisy Jackson
A former railway worker’s cottage dubbed the ‘loneliest house in Britain’ has just had £50k knocked off its asking price as it looks for a new owner.
The home is situated in one of the most beautiful corners in England, right on the trail of the popular Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge.
The house takes ‘remote living to the next level’, with no vehicular access for viewings and absolutely no neighbours in sight.
At present, 3 Bleamoor Cottages also has no mains electricity or water – previous owners got their power from a windmill and a generator.
And although you’ll be all alone living up there in the Yorkshire Dales, you won’t be totally isolated… you’ll probably have a few hundred walkers going past your front door every day.
The house is listed as an ‘exciting renovation project’, with potential to turn it into a private holiday home, a unique Airbnb or a refreshment stop on the popular hiking route up Whernside.
Darren Spratt from estate agent Fisher Hopper told the BBC: “We’ve never had anything quite like this.”
“It’s about a 20 to 25-minute walk to the property,” he added. “That’s one way to lug your shopping.”
He also said that although the home has drummed up a lot of interest, a new buyer hasn’t yet been found for it.
The property listing states: “Exciting renovation project in a stunningly beautiful location. 3 Bleamoor Cottages is a former railway worker’s home situated on the main hiking path up Whernside, in the Yorkshire Dales.
The living room of 3 Bleamoor Cottages. Credit: Fisher HopperThe kitchen of the remote cottage. Credit: Fisher HopperIt’s set in beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside. Credit: Fisher Hopper3 Bleamoor Cottages. Credit: Fisher Hopper
“Adjacent to the famous Settle to Carlisle railway line above Ribblehead, the property presents an interesting investment, with a range of potential commercial opportunities apparent: private holiday home; unique AirBnB style experience; bunkhouse or refreshment stop on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge route. Plans will be subject to the necessary consents – this is in the heart of the National Park – but for the right buyer with vision, there is great potential here.
“Due to the unusual nature of the location, interested parties are advised that it is a 20 minute walk from the parking at Ribblehead Viaduct to reach this property. There is no vehicular access for viewings.”
When Rightmove shared the listing, they wrote: “When having neighbours is just not your thing… This home located in the Yorkshire Dales takes remote living to the next level!”
Tyson Fury and wife Paris announce they are expecting their seventh child
Danny Jones
Tyson Fury and his wife Paris have revealed that they are now expecting their seventh child, as per an announcement made over social media.
Amidst the ongoing saga between himself and Oleksandr Usyk following their title fight being called off earlier this week, an update that frustrated both Fury and fight fans everywhere, the Manc boxer took to Instagram to share some “fantastic news” that cheered him up.
Posting a story on Thursday evening, Tyson shared of the two of them on a date night along with the caption “God is great… 7th baby incoming”.
The pair already have three boys, all called Prince, and three girls, Venezuela, Valencia Amber and their recent child, Athena. Paris shared the story on her profile too.
Elsewhere, Tyson must now wait for his would-be Ukrainian opponent to fight Daniel Dubois in a mandatory bout before the two can meet at Wembley, which was originally scheduled to take place on 29 April this year.
Fury-Usyk had looked to be all but confirmed as early as December, but a dispute over the “material terms critical to the fight” has seen it postponed indefinitely.
For now, the 34-year-old from Wythenshawe has nothing to focus on other than becoming a dad for the seventh time in 14 years.
Emily Sergeant -
7th June 2021 
