| Where: | Manchester starting at the Cathedral Gardens |
| When: | Spring Bank Holiday Monday |
| Time: | 10 am |
The timing for the Whit Walk at Manchester has moved from Whitsuntide to Spring Bank Holiday Monday as it’s easier for participants to attend. First held in Manchester over 200 years ago in 1801, such walks were held to encourage community activity without the demon drink and also to keep the folks away from the temptations of the nearby races held at the same time. Other Whit Walks take place particularly in Northwest England, but the Manchester one is one of the best established and largest of its type. Expect a procession of parishioners with white clad children and brass band and drum accompaniment, banners waving and clergy from numerous churches, all heading to St Peter’s Square where there is a brief Anglican service outdoors.
Helpful Hints
The next Whit Walk should be on Monday 26th May 2025- full details on the Facebook page below. All are welcome.
The walk & service is usually expected to last around 2 hours.
Click here for the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Manchester-Salford-Whit-Walk-2018-355178911557293/
Click here for the Cathedral website: http://www.manchestercathedral.org/
I used to take part in the Manchester Whit walks when I was a child In the early 1960s. Usually dressed all in white but I’m sure that I also wore a kilt sometimes.
Hi Mark
I participated in a White outfit with a red Bow tie, and gloves with Patent Black shoes, my mother walked with the Polish and Italian communities and we finished off at a pub me sitting outside with crisps and a blue bag of salt and lemonade, happy days, going this Monday as I’ve not been in 38 years.
Glyn
I bet you looked the bees’ knees Glyn- hope you have a lovely time on Monday and that it brings back happy memories!
Best wishes,
Averil
Keep this tradition going please at all costs–I participated as a youngster walking with St Pauls Bradford M/c–,still attend the walks and still get a great feeling on the day,especially when the bands play up. Great memories of the working class people enjoying themselves and such a simple enjoyment and everybody turning out for the pleasure only.
I attend the whit walks every year for the past 60 years I love it we make it a family day out, its such a shame it has deminished over the years, but it doesn’t put us off. It s been a tradition in my family for years and years be nice to see more people take part and to come and support the participants.
Keep the tradition going. Let god and his spirit be seen on the manchester streets for ever. It must carry on, such a shame the dates change when are the whit walks in 2017.
I think it’ll be on the 30th May this year (Bank Holiday Monday) but I’ll be checking it again nearer the time to make sure as it hasn’t been confirmed yet – keep an eye on the site!
Whit walks time and day Manchester
My husband who is German had never seen or heard of the whit walks and we came to Manchester and he loves to watch them keep up the good work
Is this years walk still on.
My family used to take part in the walks from st Annes Church and my wife marched with one of the bands.
Hi David,
I just checked the Cathedral events calendar and it’s still in the schedule – and their site has been updated since last week so should be correct, so I assume it will still go ahead.
Best wishes,
Averil
god bless , please keep our Christian faith alive now more then ever
Hi Averil
thanks for replying.
my wife, myself, my son and our graand children took part in the walks today, walking alongside the St annes Church.I dont really have words to describe the mix of emotions, chief amomgst which though was pride. A greatly moving moment was the band playing Abide with me when the St Annes church returned to st Annes Square.
Many thanks to the event organisers, GMP , and those who took part and those who came to support the event.
May this celebration continue for generations to come.
Thanks David,
Pleased to hear you all took part and kept the tradition alive – it must have been very moving, especially under current circumstances.
Best wishes,
Averil
I used to do the walks with the scouts / St Jeromes in Beswick in the 60’s. Remember walking down Ashton Old Road into Manchester. I love hearing all the band’s, especially the marching drums, and watching the leaders tossing the staffs. When it was all over we were sat on the steps of the Brunswick and, later, The Clock Face, with a bottle of lemonade and a bag of crisps..
Happy memories! Let’s hope today’s kids that are in the walk will look back one day and remember it fondly too.
I’m 70 now. We only got new clothes for the Whit Walks. I can still feel the blisters on my feet from walking in brand new shoes
We used to go to relatives and friends to “show off” our new clothes
hi, Mike, you’re right about the new clothes, mam and dad were members of, I think it was Provident. Save a little every week and spend the vouchers at a mill in Ancoats if I’m not wrong. god bless mam and dad both long gone.
It’s called Whit Walks because it happen around Whit Sunday not a date that is convenient to the Council….What does the Churches say about this?…
I walked many years in the 1960’s with Christ Church Bradford Manchester….It will never be the same…we live in a different era ….
That’s right Antoinette- I think the move to the Bank Holiday is because the date is more predictable than Whit, which moves around as it’s linked to Easter. I’m sure the church shifted to Bank Holiday weekend since more people would be able to join in, as it’s alwaysthe school half-term holiday that week.
My son still walks on a whit monday it is a big family tradition. we walk for All saints and marters langley. I will keep checking for updates.
was just checking to see if WHIT WALKS STILL TAKE PLACE AS I WALKED IN THEM IN LATE FIFTYS AM LIVING IN IRELAND NOW AND WANTED TO CHECK
Yes they do still happen- but the Manchester one won’t be on again until next year.
I remember my parents taking me and my siblings to the walks, from the late 60’s onwards. We would all have our Whit Walks’ clothes (suited and booted) – specially hand-made, or bought for the occasion. It was the highlight of the year! Scottish bagpipes, religious banners, churches of all denominations taking part. It was absolutely brilliant!
Unfortunately, it is very much scaled back – and – watered-down event nowadays – in concern of offending those of the non-Christian faith. It is truly a sad reflection of our times. For over 200 years, the Walks’ have been illustrious within the Salford and Manchester communities. Sadly, the so-called Political ‘Incorrectness’ brigade have sold us down the river. The British-born person is no longer permitted to embrace their heritage and religious beliefs without being a target for the do-gooders.
Enough said!
Thanks Paul,
At least it’s still happening- you never know, the glory days may return some time!
Best wishes,
Averil
I walked with St Peters and Levenshulme Congregational church in the 50s..got new shoes and clothes…went to nanas for a bath ( cos we didn’t have one ) visit to neighbours and relatives where I was given 3p or 6p for looking smart..Happy days