This is one of those explores that has been hard won. It started out as speculation, people knew there were streets down there but nobody could access them. I was fortunate enough to be shown how.
Access is true peice of genuis by Mr Stepping Lightly and it really is a case of thinking latterally to get in somewhere. He looked at old photos and examined options before the lightbulb popped on. I had opted out of explorint this up til now, somehow I just didn’t think it would be my cup of tea. I know there are people out there who would give their teeth to explore it so I feel very privilidged to know the people who could shoe me how its done. On this occasion I explored with userscott. On entering the underground arches I was suddenly impressed. The air raid shelters, come shops, come art deco toilets must be seen to be believed. These arches and passageways were more comprehensive than I had been expecting and did take me by surprise.Two hours were easily spent roaming around. There isn’t a lot to be seen to be fair, but there is a lot to be experienced.It wasn’t all pleasant. At one point we looked up at some really oozy cables which Scott believed lead up to the Cathedral. The sewage has backed up in sections, and that is rather unpleasant.
There were calcite straw formations down there that were simply stunning and some of the best I’ve seen in Britain - so close. Really something else!!
hi i wonder if you could tell me how you managed to enter this place and where abouts its situated i have been trying to find out, but never managed to find it out. i would really love to visit this place as i am doing a degree project about place in manchester unknown. please could you help
I’m afraid that access is a closely guarded secret. Its very technical and difficult, so sorry, I will be unable to help you. There is a very good book out at the moment, which no doubt you’ll have read. I can tell you that the place I visited is situation beneath the cathedral which is why it is called Cathedral steps.
Hi I`m also looking to explore underground Manchester (cathederal steps, CIS, guardian, the area underneath market street, underground warehouses). Been told there used to be tunnels under kendals. I remember there used to be toilets and a barbers under picaddilly where the pasty shop is now (ish) wonder if its still there? Also a tunnel from ardwick to reddish and a half finished abandoned underground station near deansgate station. Am I missing any out? Loading bays from the river near MEN arena. Its fasinating and I`d really like a point in the right direction. Cheers, Bryan
Heya
Really great report.
My and my team have been trying to figure out the entrance for a while so we can go and explore down there outselves.
Think we have got it but would like to double check with someone who has been down there first to make sure we are not completely in the wrong direction.
Please email me so I can tell you how I think we get in.
I’m presuming entrance is via the river side… where the open window that keeps appearing in photos is.. perhaps some kind of shimmy down from the side. or plank/bridge over from the actual bridge? I really doubt it gets any more technical than that. I need to have a look at some point.
[...] many interesting things to see, including old air raid shelters, photos of which can be seen on the Cathedral Steps exploration post by Angel on the Urban Adventure [...]
Hey every one ok the train station is mayfield street station i know how to get in to that one the cathedral step is complicated there were 2 entrances years ago but only one now iv spent a month non stop trying to find it now there wooden steps going from ground level to the underground if it is were i think it is there is another way in but its tricky i need to do some more research but i am willing to get a group of people together and show you the amazing mayfield station e mail me if interested danny_ross_4eva@hotmail.com
12 responses so far ↓
1 Nicola brooks // Feb 17, 2009 at 10:21 pm
hi i wonder if you could tell me how you managed to enter this place and where abouts its situated i have been trying to find out, but never managed to find it out. i would really love to visit this place as i am doing a degree project about place in manchester unknown. please could you help
2 Angel // Feb 18, 2009 at 11:51 am
I’m afraid that access is a closely guarded secret. Its very technical and difficult, so sorry, I will be unable to help you. There is a very good book out at the moment, which no doubt you’ll have read. I can tell you that the place I visited is situation beneath the cathedral which is why it is called Cathedral steps.
3 Nicola // Feb 18, 2009 at 1:57 pm
which book is this, does it have a name!!!!
4 Angel // Feb 20, 2009 at 12:42 am
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/094636141X/interactiveda3365-21
5 Bryan // Feb 25, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Hi I`m also looking to explore underground Manchester (cathederal steps, CIS, guardian, the area underneath market street, underground warehouses). Been told there used to be tunnels under kendals. I remember there used to be toilets and a barbers under picaddilly where the pasty shop is now (ish) wonder if its still there? Also a tunnel from ardwick to reddish and a half finished abandoned underground station near deansgate station. Am I missing any out? Loading bays from the river near MEN arena. Its fasinating and I`d really like a point in the right direction. Cheers, Bryan
6 Bryan // Feb 25, 2009 at 1:08 pm
The disused station opposite piccadilly platforms 13 and 14 too.
7 Lauren // May 18, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Heya
Really great report.
My and my team have been trying to figure out the entrance for a while so we can go and explore down there outselves.
Think we have got it but would like to double check with someone who has been down there first to make sure we are not completely in the wrong direction.
Please email me so I can tell you how I think we get in.
Thanks
8 Jinky // May 22, 2009 at 12:40 am
I’m presuming entrance is via the river side… where the open window that keeps appearing in photos is.. perhaps some kind of shimmy down from the side. or plank/bridge over from the actual bridge? I really doubt it gets any more technical than that. I need to have a look at some point.
9 Climber and Urbex Legend Stepping Lightly : Exclusive Interview | CheapTents.com Outdoor Gear Blog // Nov 6, 2009 at 3:50 pm
[...] many interesting things to see, including old air raid shelters, photos of which can be seen on the Cathedral Steps exploration post by Angel on the Urban Adventure [...]
10 daniel // Nov 30, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Hey every one ok the train station is mayfield street station i know how to get in to that one the cathedral step is complicated there were 2 entrances years ago but only one now iv spent a month non stop trying to find it now there wooden steps going from ground level to the underground if it is were i think it is there is another way in but its tricky i need to do some more research but i am willing to get a group of people together and show you the amazing mayfield station e mail me if interested danny_ross_4eva@hotmail.com
11 daniel // Nov 30, 2009 at 11:28 pm
by the way copy and paste my email adress or it wont work
12 johnny gang // Apr 19, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Go find it yourself!
its not hard, do your research!
take photos, leave no footprints
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