Greater Manchester's five most unusual polling stations

Election day is finally upon us.

For many of us, that means a trip to our local school, church or community centre to cast our vote. Yet some people are making their choice at this general election in slightly more unusual surroundings today.

There are strict rules on where voters can cast their ballot, but some polling stations are more interesting than others. From historic landmarks to a football stadium and a boxing club, there is plenty of variety when it comes to the polling stations of Greater Manchester.

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Here we take a look at the most weird and wonderful places in our region that are welcoming voters today. You can follow the live updates from the election here.

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Voters in south Manchester can cast their vote at the former home of the Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. One of the most important authors of the period, she lived in the building at 84 Plymouth Grove in Ardwick from 1850 until her death in 1865.

The Grade II*-listed property is where Elizabeth wrote some of her most famous novels, such as Cranford and North and South, and where she entertained guests, including Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens. The House was opened to the public in October 2014 after being restored to its former glory.

Although it is being used as a polling station today, the museum remains open as usual which means voters have the chance to admire the building and its history after marking their X on the paper.

FC United

Broadhurst Park, the home of FC United of Manchester, has also been turned into a polling station. Voters in the Blackley and Middleton South constituency will be casting their vote in the stadium today.

The 4,400-capacity ground, in the Moston area of the city, opened in 2015 and is also home to a function room and meeting spaces.

At the last general election, the stadium and the wider Moston area were part of the Manchester Central seat. However, boundary changes have seen it become part of the new Blackley and Middleton South constituency.

Salford Lads Club

It's perhaps Salford's most iconic landmark - and some are lucky enough to be casting their vote there today. Salford Lads Club’s famous green sign and red brick entrance were immortalised on the The Smiths’ 1986 album The Queen is Dead.

Some voters in Ordsall will be able to stop for a selfie outside the legendary building where Morrissey and Johhny Marr posed nearly three decades ago on St. Ignatius Walk.

If they do, they’ll be following in some famous political footsteps. David Cameron paid a pilgrimage to the landmark to pose for a pic - and has since said he would love to go back, despite being famously banned from liking the Smiths by Johnny Marr.

Meanwhile, Andy Burnham launched his campaign for a third term as Greater Manchester mayor at the iconic venue earlier this year.

Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy

It's been a gruelling election campaign that has left many voters exasperated. If you're in need of relieving some tension, you may well be in luck - if you live in Benchill, Wythenshawe, at least.

Residents are casting their votes at Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy today - and it's not the first time the famous boxing gym has played its part in the world of politics.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the gym back in 2019 and entered the ring with head coach Steve Egan for a sparring session. Mr Johnson wore a navy blue pair of "Get Brexit Done" gloves as he practised his punches in the run-up to the last election.

Tian Cheng Temple

The Armitage Estate in Little Hulton is not the most obvious spot to find a Buddhist temple.

But that's where some voters in the area will be exercising their democratic right today. The Tian Cheng Temple, a converted social club in Madams Wood Road, certainly wins the prize for the region's most eye-catching polling station.

At the last general election, Little Hulton was part of Worsley and Eccles South but boundary changes mean it has become part of the new Bolton South & Walkden constituency this time around.

Polling stations are open from 7pm until 10pm today. It is the first general election where voters have needed to provide a form of photo identification in order to cast their ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include passports, driving licenses and bus passes.

You can check your nearest polling station on your local authority's website or by clicking here.