Former Nicholls Hospital including gymnasium, governor's house, stone setted and flagged forecourt, boundary walls and gates, stone gate piers on Ford Street and Devonshire Street, and two granite memorials in the forecourt

The former Nicholls Hospital is a Gothic Revival complex with a central tower, brick walls, and stone-trimmed windows spread across several connected structures. The site includes a gymnasium, governor's house, paved forecourt, and boundary walls with gates on multiple streets.

The complex was designed in 1879 by architect Thomas Worthington and funded through a bequest from Alderman Benjamin Nicholls in memory of his son. Over the decades the facility changed from a medical center to serve educational purposes.

The building served as a healthcare facility before becoming an educational space, showing how institutions in Manchester evolved over time. Visitors can see how rooms were adapted for new purposes while the original architectural character remained intact.

The site sits at the junction of Hyde Road and Devonshire Street with gates and stone piers marking several entrances. The paved forecourt provides open access to explore the grounds, and the various building wings are easy to navigate.

Two granite memorials in the forecourt commemorate the original mission to improve living conditions for Manchester's working-class residents. These monuments stand as quiet reminders of the founders' commitment to social welfare in the community.

Location: Manchester

Inception: 1878

Architects: Thomas Worthington

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

GPS coordinates: 53.46899,-2.21584

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59