Less a library and more a cathedral to books, Basil Champneys' stunning building is a breathtaking example of Victorian Gothic, no more so than the Reading Room, complete with high-vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows. The collection of early printed books and rare manuscripts is equally impressive, and includes a Gutenberg Bible, the earliest extant New Testament text and the country's second-largest assembly of works by Britain's first printer, William Caxton. There's a free 30-minute tour at 3pm Wednesday and Friday.
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John Rylands Library
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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
29.27 MILES
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Nearby Manchester attractions
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6. Science and Industry Museum
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7. Chetham's Library & School of Music
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