The set of Coronation Street is open to the public to visit a few weekends a year.
The tour is fully guided and the set fully working – it’s not a dummy set just for the tours, is the actual cobbles where the actors film.
As filming takes place all year round, and even on some weekends and evenings, they can only let viewers in when the cast of Coronation Street and crew are having a well-deserved day off, so places and dates are limited.
What will you see on the Coronation Street tour?
The tour lasts approximately 80 minutes and takes you around all the outdoor sets including Coronation Street, Rosamund Street, and the newly expanded Victoria Street.
You’ll see iconic landmarks such as the Rovers Return, which has been on the corner of Coronation Street since the show started in 1960, and the Kabin, run in the show by Rita Tanner.
There’s Roy’s Rolls, Underworld, Dev’s corner shop, Audrey’s salon, Preston’s Petals, the Bistro, and the front of all of your favourite characters houses. You could snap a picture outside No.1 and pretend you’re visiting the Barlows’ for afternoon tea!
The tour also includes the brand new retail units, which were built when the show moved to six episodes a week and first featured on screen in April 2018.
The often-talked-about-but-never-before-seen Victoria Street is now home to a Costa Coffee, a Co Op, a tattoo parlour, snooker hall and an urban community garden, as well as Victoria Street Metrolink tram station.
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The guide will recall stories from the show, reveal filming secrets and there’s even an opportunity to take those all-important selfies.
The tour begins on a dock at Media City where the tour guide meets you and your fellow sightseers – there are around 40 per group – and gives you a brief history of the show itself.
You then proceed onto the cobbles to wander round the exterior.
Does the Coronation Street tour include the interior sets?
The tour doesn’t include any of the interior sets as these must be kept untouched for continuity purposes.
There are some houses and businesses you can peek through the windows of though, and both Preston’s Petals and Prima Donor have sets inside the premises you can look at.
It’s unlikely you’ll get to bump into any of the cast on your way round as it’s the weekend and they’re most likely having time off.
However, sometimes they pop in to collect their scripts, so if you keep your eyes peeled you might catch sight of one and they may even stop for a selfie.
How do you book the Coronation Street tour?
Availability is limited as the tour can only run when there’s no filming taking place, and you can only book your place online.
Prices are £35 per adult ticket and £17.50 for children between the ages five and 15 who are accompanied by an adult.
Tickets have to be pre-booked as it’s not an attraction you can just walk into on the day.
As the tour is all outside, the British weather can’t be guaranteed so raincoat and umbrella is strongly advised – especially if you’re thinking of visiting in the winter!
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Can you stay over on the Coronation Street tour?
If you want to make a weekend of it, some companies, such as Shearlings run trips for people based in the north of England.
A coach will collect you on the Saturday and take you to Manchester. After exploring the city, travel will be provided to your hotel, where you’ll have dinner before retiring for the night.
When you wake up on the Sunday it’s off to the Corrie tour, before being driven home.
Tickets for 2019 tours are now on sale, so make sure you book quickly to secure your place!