Victoria Arches

Victoria Arches are seventeen brick arches built into an embankment that extends beneath Victoria Street along the River Irwell in central Manchester. The structures remain sealed and inaccessible to the public today, though their entrances are visible from Greengate Square and from several bridges crossing the river.

Constructed in 1838 during Manchester's industrial expansion, the arches initially housed manufacturing spaces for wine merchants, printers, and machine makers along the riverfront. They were part of the city's infrastructure development during a period of rapid industrial growth.

During World War II, the arches served as public air raid shelters, providing protection to residents during bombing campaigns. They became part of Manchester's civilian defense system during the conflict.

You can view the entrances to these structures from Greengate Square and from several bridges crossing the river at ground level. Since the arches are sealed, it is best to observe them from these public vantage points while exploring the surrounding urban area.

Two floating landing platforms named Cathedral and Victoria operated from these arches until 1900, offering river cruises from this location. These platforms provided an unusual form of transport despite the river's significant pollution problems at the time.