The spring season is about to blossom at Victoria Baths, with building tours set to hit the big screen and SpringFest 2022 (Sunday 10 April) promising to fill the iconic setting with markers, art, music, food stalls and much more. This is the year to discover one of Manchester’s best-loved heritage buildings, which has become renowned for its prolific line up of cultural events.

The arrival of Welcome Wednesdays heralds the start of spring, beginning on Wednesday 23 March with a thank you to National Lottery Players – who have played an important role in securing the future of the Grade II* listed building for all to enjoy. On this date anyone presenting a current/recent Lottery ticket will be invited to enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and piece of cake in the Victoria Baths Café.

During Welcome Wednesdays (until 26 October 2022) the building, including the Café and Shop, will be open from 11:00am to 3:00pm for people to enjoy – whether catching up with a friend, taking time to sketch or write, the chance to capture insta images or the simple joy of quiet reflection in this mesmerising space. Entry is free, with donations encouraged to support the work of Victoria Baths Trust, which oversees the upkeep of the building and ensures that it remains open as a cultural venue and community resource. Central to these days are Guided Tours, which take place from 1:00pm to 2:15pm and are the best and most enjoyable way to discover the building and the stories that it holds. Guided Tours are priced at £8 per person (free to under 16s) and bookable in advance.

From Wednesday 4 May a new Guided Tour, Behind the Screens, will make its debut appearance alongside the Discover Victoria Baths and Off Limits tours; this time shining the spotlight on Victoria Baths as one of the country’s most famous filming locations. It’s already been the setting for everything from a hospital to a court, prison to a fish market, morgue to an auction house and even, on occasion, a swimming pool! Now visitors will find themselves treading the same boards as actors including Tom Hardy, Sheridan Smith, Robbie Coltrane and Michelle Keegan. Original props, location photo opportunities and back stage secrets are revealed in a roll call of dramas that includes Peaky Blinders, It’s A Sin, Houdini & Doyle, Cold Feet, Life on Mars, Mrs Biggs, World on Fire, Brassic and many more.

SpringFest 2022, Sunday 10 April

A day for celebration, catching up with friends, shopping for handmade trinkets, and family time awaits on Sunday 10 April, when Victoria Baths opens its doors for SpringFest 2022. Scrumptious food and a well stocked bar, fantastic pop up art exhibitions, a makers market, live music and lots of ways to keep children entertained make this a relaxing and fun day for all.

Filling the vast spaces and the curious nooks and crannies, SpringFest 2022 will make the most of the glorious backdrops and quirky aspects of Victoria Baths to showcase an array of creativity. A Makers Market will takeover the former Males 2nd Class pool with a colourful mix of locally-made ceramics, liqueurs, jewellery, artwork, homeware and candles. There will be loads for families to get stuck into from a Kids Art Trail and Café Play Area to Our Kids Social Make Do & Disco in the Gala Pool for a pool party of a different kind – it might be on dry land, but Under the Sea themed fancy dress will be all the rage!

An eclectic line-up of live music is in the pipeline, including Chorlton Ukulele Group, SingZest and more to be announced. Victoria Baths is always a magnet for artists and it will be using SpringFest to present the latest work of artists from Islington Mill, MASH (Manchester Action on Street Health) and students from The Grange School.

For those wanting to grab a bite to eat Honest Crust Sourdough Pizza and Dim Sum Su have got it covered, and sweet treats courtesy of Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and their incredible range of vegan and dairy ice creams and sorbets. Plus the Victoria Baths Café and Bar will be open throughout.

As spring will have sprung, the Victoria Baths team is hoping that lots of people will be encouraged to cycle to SpringFest 2022; especially with the added incentive of a free bike service by revolveMCR and a free cuppa in the Victoria Baths Café for all those travelling to the event by bike. This is also one of the ways that Victoria Baths will be taking positive action to reduce carbon emissions.