Levenshulme Antiques Village

Levenshulme Antiques Village is the first stop if you’re doing up a period property or even just looking to add some character to a rented flat.

When you think of antique shops, it’s often expensive places in well-to-do-towns like Knutsford, all grandfather clocks and unaffordable walnut desks, that spring to mind. Levenshulme Antiques Village is remarkably good value in comparison. Although, not as cheap as it used to be – the influx of middle class millennials has put paid to that.

Enter the building, which used to be Levenshulme Town Hall, and the period tiling will blow you away. If not, this place probably isn’t for you.

It’s a collection of different sellers all specialising in different pieces from vases to furniture to architectural salvage. The majority is solid Victorian and Edwardian but there are some good examples of mid-century design too. Looking for a chest of drawers that’s made of wood rather than MDF? This is the place. Nothing here comes with instructions and an allen key.

You’ll find elements like original 1920s doors and stained glass – useful if you’re trying to put the history back into a home that’s had its past pulled out. Many of the architectural salvage specialists dealing in bigger items like floorboards are based round the back in a small collection of units outside.

Perhaps Levenshulme is best known for its restored fireplaces. You could (and I have) spend a very long time browsing and buying ornate mantlepieces, original tiles and the like.

With three floors of antiques – and a beautiful sweeping staircase connecting them all – you might not find exactly what you’re looking for but you will discover plenty to tempt you. That’s the glorious serendipity of antique shopping.