Elizabeth Gaskell's House — Attraction in Manchester

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is an extraordinary place that offers a vivid glimpse into the life of one of England’s most celebrated novelists, as well as the broader world of Victorian literature and society. The house, lovingly restored to its former glory, is a true gem in Manchester’s cultural landscape.

The home itself is a fine example of a Victorian middle-class residence, with each room meticulously decorated to reflect the time period. The sense of stepping back into the 19th century is immediate as you wander through rooms like the drawing room, dining room, and Elizabeth Gaskell’s study, where she wrote many of her iconic novels, including Cranford, North and South, and Wives and Daughters. The study is particularly atmospheric, featuring her original writing desk and a carefully curated selection of books and papers.

What makes the experience so special is the deeper story of the Gaskell family. Elizabeth’s husband, William Gaskell, was a Unitarian minister, scholar, and social reformer, and his presence can be felt throughout the house. His study is another highlight of the visit, reflecting his intellectual pursuits and his role in the community. William and Elizabeth shared a progressive outlook on society, and their home was not just a family residence but also a hub for intellectual and literary discussions. The house served as a meeting place for many influential thinkers and writers of the time.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Elizabeth Gaskell’s life was her close and complex friendship with Charlotte Brontë, who famously visited the house on several occasions. Charlotte was known to be shy and socially reserved, but she found warmth and understanding in Elizabeth. Their friendship is brought to life through the house’s displays and the enthusiastic volunteers, who recount anecdotes about Charlotte’s visits and how the two women influenced each other’s work. It’s fascinating to think about Charlotte Brontë sitting in the Gaskell drawing room, finding solace in Elizabeth’s companionship, even though their personalities were quite different.

The volunteers at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House are simply wonderful. Their passion for the history of the house and its inhabitants shines through in every conversation. They’re more than happy to answer questions, share detailed stories, and point out subtle details you might otherwise miss. It’s like having your own personal guide into the world of Victorian literature and culture.

The house also has a beautifully restored Victorian garden, which is a peaceful and picturesque space to relax. It’s easy to imagine Elizabeth and her family enjoying quiet moments there. The café inside the house is another treat, offering delicious cakes and tea served in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

One of the best things about visiting is that your ticket is valid for a whole year. This is fantastic, as there’s so much to take in, and the house frequently hosts special events, exhibitions, and talks that give you even more reasons to return. Whether you want to dive deeper into Elizabeth’s literary works, learn about Victorian life, or simply enjoy the ambiance of this historic home, the annual ticket is great value.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in literature, history, or the Victorian era. It’s more than just a museum—it’s a deeply personal and immersive experience that leaves you feeling connected to one of the most influential writers of her time. Highly...

84 Plymouth Grove, now known as Elizabeth Gaskell's House, is a writer's house museum in Manchester. The Grade II* listed neoclassical villa was the residence of William and Elizabeth Gaskell from 1850 till their deaths in 1884 and 1865 respectively. The Gaskell household continued to occupy the villa after the deaths of Elizabeth and William. The death of Elizabeth Gaskell's daughter, Margaret Emily "Meta" Gaskell, in 1913, brought to an end the Gaskells' residence there.

The house itself was granted listed building status in 1952, partly due to its association with the Gaskells. This granted it protection from demolition, however, 84 Plymouth Grove slowly descended into a state of disrepair due to neglect.

The Manchester Historic Buildings Trust commenced a restoration project in 2009, aiming to see 84 Plymouth Grove returned to its state as the Gaskells left it. By 2011, the Trust had finished the exterior, which included structural repairs and removing the pink paint that had coated the house for various years. However, in May 2011 their project was marred by the theft of the lead roof, which caused "extensive damage" according to the BBC. On completion of the £2.5m restoration, the building was reopened to the public on 5 October 2014.

84 Plymouth Grove was designed in the Greek Revival style, probably by architect Richard Lane, circa 1838, and was speculatively built as part of a wider development catering to the burgeoning middle-classes in the area, then on the outskirts of the city. The villa comprised drawing and dining rooms, seven bedrooms and a coach house wing. The lavish house was built in response to the newly emerging middle class citizens of Manchester. The city, which had rapidly expanded due to the industrial revolution, held various degrees of housing, ranging from, poverty-ridden slum housing to the new era of luxurious housing such as 84 Plymouth Road.

The design is striking; the house contains twenty rooms on two floors over a concealed basement with a front porch containing four columns carved with a lotus leaf shape, reminiscent of the Tower of the Winds in Athens. Stucco features on the front facade of the house. Despite the house's facade having a pink coat for years, earning it the nickname 'The Pink House', during the times of Elizabeth Gaskell the walls were described as a...

Wow! This place and its people made me proud to be a Mancunian, all over again!!

Though I've never read any of Elizabeth Gaskell's works (don't worry, I will!), I was fascinated by every room and every tidbit of knowledge gained about this author's life.

Reading about how Elizabeth, William and their daughters would have lived was very interesting. The volunteers were impressively knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter; I loved speaking with them!

I was there for 3.5hrs last week and still didn't even see all the rooms; I was so intrigued by everything I didn't want to rush the experience! I'm glad the ticket lasts for a year... :)

I loved going down to the tea room, where I enjoyed a few cuppas and some tasty cake! I also bought some books about Manchester and the North that I think were extremely pertinent, given the context - particularly the topics dealt with in 'North and South'!

I will definitely be back; thank you for such an immersive experience! 😊😊

I'm so glad that the effort was made to restore this house to its former glory, and to preserve the history of such an important woman!

I also appreciated how we learnt about other important women from the North / from Gaskell's era, as we walked...