[1] From the entrance of the Barnes Wallis Building (named after the aircraft designer and WWII inventor of the “bouncing bomb”), turn left, and then go right under a railway arch, beneath which is a statue inside green railings.
(A) The statue, by Thompson W Dagnall (1990), is of Archimedes leaping out of his bath, imagined as he discovers the principle of buoyancy. Close by is another sculpture, “The Generation of Possibilities”, created to mark the 175th anniversary of the University of Manchester.
[2] You now enter a small garden marked with other sculptures, including one of “Vimto” a locally produced soft drink. Take the left fork at the path junction, then turn left on meeting the road (Granby Road), emerging onto Sackville Street. Turn right along this road, to the jumction with Whitworth Street.
At this point, notice the massive Sackville Street Building, the principal building of the former UMIST (The University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology) which has now merged with The University of Manchester. It was built in 1895 as the Municipal School of Technology.
[3] Cross Whitworth Street (named after the engineer who devised the Whitworth Gauge) at the pedestrian crossing then enter Sackville Gardens, a small area of green amongst all the high buildings around. Keep to the left hand path through the park.
(B) Notice the statue of Alan Turing seated on a bench. He was a brilliant mathematician who worked as a code-breaker during WWII, and went on to be one of the founders of computer science (the world's first digital stored-programme computer was built in 1949 at Manchester University). Also in the park is the Beacon of Hope, a memorial to the victims of AIDS.
[4] At the far end of the park, cross the road, turn right then almost immediately left onto Canal Street, a colourful and vibrant spot which is the heart of Manchester's gay village. On your left is the Rochdale Canal. This canal, opened in 1804 to link Manchester with Rochdale, fell into disuse in the 1950s, but has recently been restored to use.
[5] Where Canal Street joins Princess Street, descend left to join the towpath. Go down the steep slope and under the low bridge. Continue along the towpath, keeping the canal to your right, to where it “dips” to go under Oxford Street. After passing under the road, ascend the steps to return to street level. This is Oxford Street. Notice the fine buildings which line it such as St James Chambers opposite, built in Portland stone in 1912 for the Calico Printers Association.
[6] Turn right along Oxford Street, cross Oxford Street at the lights, and go down Whitworth Street opposite, walking on the right hand side.
(C) You will pass the Palace Hotel, formerly the headquarters of the Refuge Assurance Society, a fine building (1891) by Alfred Waterhouse, who designed many of Manchester's best civic buildings. Also notice Bridgewater House & Lancaster House, impressive former warehouses from about a century ago, now offices or apartments.
[7] Cross Princess Street again, continuing in the same direction. Take the second right down Venice Street. This takes us into a quiet courtyard with trees and shrubs. Go through the archway and down a flight of steps to come out on Granby Row. Turn left, then right down Sackville Street, under the railway arch, then immediately left into Altrincham Street (past the security barriers) to the Barnes Wallis Building.