John Rylands: Manchester’s Secret Harry Potter Library
I’m going to let you in on a secret: the John Rylands Library in Manchester, England is the first place I’ve visited that actually made me feel like I was walking the halls of Hogwarts.
As a lifelong Harry Potter fan, I’ve visited my fair share of places that have been used in the Harry Potter films, or have maybe inspired them. But this Manchester Harry Potter library is legit— a neo gothic masterpiece of books, architecture, and magic.
Manchester has no shortage of historic and beautiful libraries to visit, but if I had to choose, John Ryland’s was my surprise favorite.
In this post, I’ll tell you all the reasons you shouldn’t miss out on this gorgeous hidden gem in Manchester. I’ll share some John Rylands Library photos, give you insider tips on what not to miss, let you know the rules and regulations regarding photography, and together we’ll explore the John Rylands Library Harry Potter connection.
What are you waiting for? Let’s dive in.
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What is John Rylands Library in Manchester?
John Rylands is a hidden gem in Manchester, but no visit is really complete if you miss this totally free site.
The John Rylands library has a unique story in how it came into existence. It opened to the public on January 1, 1900, ushering in the 20th century in a distinctly bookish way. In addition to this auspicious opening date, this library is unique in that it was founded by a woman, Enriquetta Rylands, in honor of her departed husband named, you guessed it, John.
Down the center of the Rylands Library reading room, you can read about the history of the library and the woman responsible for its construction, Enriquetta Rylands. Look for her statue at one end of the reading room.
Enriquetta spared no expense in constructing this masterpiece of neo gothic architecture. She hired architect Basil Champneys to design the building after being impressed with his work at Mansfield College Oxford. Once designs were complete, she tracked down all the highest quality craftspeople she could to complete the work over the next 10 years.
The result? A church for books. The centerpiece of John Rylands is the historic reading room, which immediately strikes one as a cathedral (although unlike the cathedral bookstore in the Netherlands, this was actually designed to house books, not to be a place of religious worship).
John Rylands Library is now housed as part of the University of Manchester but is still open to the public. It is currently undergoing a £7.6 million enrichment project, called the John Rylands Next Chapter Project. The project’s goal is to “enrich and transform the researcher and visitor experience,” with construction beginning in January, 2024, so expect some changes in the coming years.
Bookish minded people and lovers of history or architecture will absolutely want to visit this remarkable church of books completely free during a stay in Manchester. And for Potterheads, the John Rylands Library Harry Potter vibes are so magical it’s palpable.
The John Rylands Reading Room
The Reading Room at John Rylands is one of my favorite libraries in the world (and if you’ve ever been here before, you know that I kind of make a point of visiting beautiful libraries). From the vaulted, neo gothic ceiling, to the stained glass windows, to the private reading nooks along each wall, this really is a book lover’s dream library.
The magic of this very Hogwartsesque space is in the details. The Rylands reading room is not located on the ground floor as one might expect, but 30 feet above it, to keep it insulated from the outside noise of a busy city. The windows are designed to let in plenty of light while blocking visual distractions from outside.
The vaulted ceilings in the Rylands library reading room are more than 40 feet high, accommodating two floors of books and study space. Yes, study space. Because this gorgeous Manchester library is not just to be gazed upon, but to be actively used.
Each side of the central walkway inside the reading room contains multiple small alcoves designed for study. These book-lined nooks contain desks and lamps and are designed for private, focused study, and yes, anyone can study at John Rylands Library.
If I were a Manchester resident, this would definitely be a go-to spot to read and work. Though visitors should note that the second floor is not open to the public, as it is reserved for private study and research.
Related: If you’re a Potter fan in Manchester and have an extra day, you may want to hop on a train to Edinburgh to see the many Edinburgh Harry Potter sights, including the “birthplace of Harry Potter.”
John Rylands Library Harry Potter Connections
Many visitors to Manchester’s John Rylands Library will want to know, was Harry Potter filmed at John Rylands? Sorry to disappoint, but the answer is, no, it wasn’t.
The nearby Chetham’s Library feels like the Hogwarts Library’s restricted section but was never used in filming, and the same is the case with John Rylands Library. While the John Rylands Library Harry Potter atmosphere is undeniable, it never appeared in the Harry Potter films.
Still, the John Rylands Library supposedly did inspire some of the visuals of Hogwarts, and walking around, it’s easy to see why. The moody stone corridors, the magical reading rooms, and of course, the iconic stairway, all create a distinctly Hogwarts feel.
Walking around the neo gothic rooms of John Rylands Library is the most I’ve ever felt like I was actually a Hogwarts student. Yes, Chetham’s Library is gorgeous and has a vague Hogwarts feel, the Livreria Lello in Portugal has a certain magical essence to it, but John Ryland’s feels like it just is Hogwarts.
If you were to show up in your favorite house robes, you’d be far from out of place here.
Dumbledore’s Room at John Rylands Library
At one end of the historic John Rylands Library reading room, it might feel vaguely familiar to Harry Potter fans. Find the circular alcove, supported by gothic pillars, and completely lined with books. This looks amazingly like Dumbledore’s office in the Harry Potter films.
I have seen rumors on the internet that Harry Potter producers visited the John Rylands Library and sketched this section as inspiration for Dumbledore’s office, but I haven’t been able to substantiate the claim. Still, it’s easy to believe the verity of the story when you compare the two spaces.
So if you’ve ever wanted to wander through Dumbledore’s office, John Rylands Library is the place to go.
The Books
Alright, so besides the general splendor of the architecture, and the John Rylands Library Harry Potter vibes, what about the books? What was this incredible library actually built to contain?
Well, an estimated 1.4 million items, including books, manuscripts, ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets, Egyptian papyri, antiquarian maps, and more.
The beginning of the massive collection of the Rylands library dates back to its founding. Determined to make the library internationally renowned, Enriquetta Rylands invested a staggering amount of money to acquire a couple of highly curated and valuable book collections.
These initial acquisitions included the prized collections of the Earl of Spencer and the Earl of Crawford, which cost Enriquetta an unfathomable £365,000. That’s the equivalent of £58.5 million in 2023.
One of the most famous items from these collections is on display for visitors periodically, but always viewable online: the St. John Fragment. This is a fragment of the Gospel of Saint John written on papyrus. It’s regarded as the earliest written account of this Gospel ever discovered (likely from 100-200 AD).
Some of my favorite items on display at the Rylands library during my visit were fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Though scholars originally believed these fragments to be blank and worthless, more recent study revealed Hebrew and Aramaic writing on 51 of the fragments.
The library also houses such valuable items as a Gutenberg Bible, and many letters and papers of Elizabeth Gaskell, one of Manchester’s most famous writers.
The items on display change throughout the year, but much of the library’s collection has been digitized and can be viewed online.
Related: While you’re in Manchester, make sure you don’t miss out on the Elizabeth Gaskell House and Museum, or the many exceptional Manchester bookstores.
Visiting the Library
Visiting the John Rylands Library includes much more than a walk through a beautiful library. There are multiple floors inside, including a top floor reserved for registered readers to view items from the Rylands collection.
You will not want to miss the stunning neo gothic staircase leading up to the famous reading room. And while you’re on the staircase, don’t forget to look up. The ceiling above you contains the Lantern Gallery and is worth a little neck strain to appreciate.
As you explore the many floors here, you’ll also see some exhibits that change on a regular basis. When I visited, the primary exhibits were dedicated to recognizing the relationship of the Rylands’ fortune to cotton sales and the international slave trade.
You’ll also get to walk through some more beautiful library rooms, the Spencer and Crawford rooms, dedicated to the original founding collections of the Library. You’ll see a variety of rare items on display, which might include the St. John’s fragment, the Dead Sea Scrolls fragments, or any number of other valuable and rare items.
Tips for visiting:
- Become a reader. As this is a public library, anyone can request to view items from the collection here. You must be over 18 and submit a request for what items you would like to view and when. You’ll need schedule an appointment at least three days in advance to view specific items.
- Make sure you visit the toilets. An odd suggestion, maybe, but the toilets here are unchanged since 1900 and are the oldest working Victorian toilets in Manchester. And yes, that’s a very bizarre flex.
- Be mindful of people studying. John Rylands Library isn’t just a cool photo spot; it’s an operational public library, where many people come to work and read. So as you take in the stunning atmosphere, please be considerate of those people who are here for focused, scholarly purposes.
- There’s also a lovely gift shop and café at John Rylands, so have a look around and enjoy a hot beverage and a snack.
Photography at John Rylands
Photography is permitted inside John Rylands library, with certain restrictions:
- Photos must be for non-commercial use
- Flash is prohibited
- No tripod photography
- Be mindful of other people, particularly those who are here to study.
You may be asked to leave the library if your photography is distracting, loud, or ignores these restrictions.
John Rylands Library Opening Times
As of December 2023, the John Rylands Library opening times are as follows:
- Closed Sunday – Tuesday
- Open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm
As always, it’s best to double check the official website for the most updated hours. No tickets are required, and admission is free.
Other Manchester libraries worth visiting
Manchester is a gold mine of libraries worth visiting. Here are some more recommendations for bookish minded travelers:
- Chetham’s Library: the oldest public library in the UK, this gorgeous library feels like a tour of the Hogwarts Library’s restricted section, complete with books chained to the shelves. Visit is by guided tour only, so check out my guide to visiting.
- Portico Library: a Manchester library that’s been around for more than 200 years. Once a men’s only library, now it’s free to visit.
- Manchester public library
Travel Resources At-A-Glance
All of the following are links to sites and services I actually use to book and plan my travel or to purchase books or travel gear.
For flights: Skyscanner is my number one go-to resource for booking flights. I love using the “explore” function to find the cheapest places I can fly during a given time or using the fare calendar to identify the cheapest days to fly.
For hotels and lodgings: For hotels, hotels.com, and for vacation rentals, VRBO.com. I’ve had much better experiences with private rentals through this website than through other popular private vacation rental websites.
For car rentals: Kayak allows comparisons across a wide range of booking agencies and lists reviews of companies as well. I’ve found this to be the most user-friendly and efficient way to compare car rental prices.
For tours & excursions: Viator and Get Your Guide are my top choices for booking excursions and tour experiences in a new destination.
For travel gear: Amazon.com and REI for more outdoorsy items. Check out my travel gear recs here.
For booking trains & buses: I find the Omio app and website to be the most easily navigable for comparing options for public transportation, especially in Europe,
Best travel credit card: My favorite travel rewards credit card for European travel has been the Chase Sapphire Rewards card. Visa is accepted just about everywhere in Europe, and there are no foreign transaction fees on the card. Some of the travel benefits I love on the Chase Sapphire include free TSA pre-check or Global Entry (worth it every time), an annual $200 travel credit, an annual $200 hotel benefit, built-in rental car, and trip insurance, and points are worth 50% more when used to book travel. I travel around Europe a LOT, and I end up with many free flights and hotel stays from using my points on my Chase Sapphire.
For books: Bookshop.org often has prices as good as Amazon or sometimes better, but profits go to indie bookstores all over the country. Whenever possible, consider buying your books from this online indie bookshop resource.
I hope on your next trip to Manchester, you can make a stop at the John Rylands Library, a truly magical hidden gem of the city.
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