Grade I listed · Manchester

John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards`

John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards` is a Grade I listed building in Manchester, first listed on 25 January 1952. It is one of 15 Grade I entries among 844 listed buildings in Manchester; 0% of Manchester’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
Field	Value
Name	John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards`
Grade	Grade I — exceptional interest
List entry number	1217800
Date first listed	25 January 1952
Local planning authority	Manchester
Location	53.48040, -2.24907 (map)
Official record	Historic England list entry 1217800

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents Manchester will require for your works on John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards`, lists what the heritage statement must cover and drafts the application text.

Ask Planium what consent you need

What the grade means for works

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest — only about 2.5% of listed buildings in England. Any application for listed building consent is notified to Historic England, and alterations are scrutinised closely.

The protection covers the whole building, inside and out, plus fixtures and attached structures. Typical works that need consent: replacing windows or doors, removing walls or historic fabric, changing roof coverings, installing solar panels or external insulation, and adding extensions.

Listed buildings near John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards`

Name	Grade	Distance
Sawyers Arms Public House	II	61 m
Masonic Temple	II	88 m
105-113, DEANSGATE (See details for further address information)	II	123 m
184 and 186, Deansgate	II	132 m
4-14, KING STREET (See details for further address information)	II	137 m
Elliot House	II	140 m
Abraham Lincoln Statue	II	149 m
Electricity Junction Box	II	154 m
31 and 33 King Street West, including 3 Smithy Lane	II	165 m
Nos. 98-116, DEANSGATE	II	171 m

Frequently asked questions

Is John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards` listed?

Yes. John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards` is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building, list entry number 1217800, first listed on 25 January 1952. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.

Do I need consent for works to John Rylands Library and Attached Railings, Gates and Lamp Standards`?

Works that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest — inside or out — need listed building consent from Manchester, in addition to any planning permission or building regulations approval. Like-for-like repairs often do not, but confirm with the council’s conservation officer before you start.

Source: National Heritage List for England, © Historic England 2026, via planning.data.gov.uk. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Retrieved 12 October 2026. Local authority assigned from the list entry point. This page is a summary — the legal record is the official list entry.