In the above print, apparently looking towards Market Street, the Bridgewater Arms is on the left. In 1808 a visitor was moved to complain about the accommodation at the Bridgewater Arms, "a spacious inn that had neither the cleanliness not the comfort we find in smaller places... Here all is hurry and bustle... and they care not whether we are pleased or not. We were led into a long room, hung round with great coats, spurs and horse whips, and with so many portmanteaus and saddle bags lying about, that it looked like a warehouse [1]". The claim to fame of this old lost pub is that the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) was founded after a meeting here in 1824. The entrance to Wellington Place now marks the site of the pub.
Former site of Bridgewater Arms, Wellington Place, off High Street. (c) googlemaps.
The TUC was also established there.
ReplyDeleteNo, at Princess Street, where the Mechanics' Institute was -- I think.
DeleteThe drawing is of the New Bridgewater Arms which was part of the Royal Hotel at Market St/Mosley St
ReplyDeleteIf you saw TV show Gentleman Jack, about Anne Lister (1791 – 1840), her lover Mariana Belcombe, who married Charles Lawton spent the first night of their honeymoon at the Bridgewater Arms March 9 1816 (according to the book The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister by Helena Whitbred).
ReplyDeleteI'm reading it now! Sat here googling the places mentioned 🤓
DeleteAlso following Anne Lister's numerous interesting Inn and hotel stays......fascinating ......just can't let her go.
DeleteYour first picture show the new bridgewater arms, which was at the rear of the Royal Hotel and the view is looking down market street from picadilly. the original bridgewater arms was indeed on high st.
ReplyDelete