Manchester has a rich Industrial past which the wealth of manufacturing has fed into this city making it the diverse, forward in its approach to expansion and after London the next port of call for air travel. Manchester airport is the third largest in the Country after both London Heathrow and London Gatwick.  

Manchester City Library

Due to the city’s location it will not take long to drive to North Wales, The West Midlands, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire and the Lake District.  The people that live here are some of the friendliest in the Country – not afraid to open a conversation to a complete stranger.  

Manchester – the ‘uncrowned’  capital of the North is well deserving of the title.  It has a rich history and culture, easily explored in its mix of museum’s and galleries.  And while history and heritage make the city interesting, its distraction’s of pure pleasure make Manchester fun: you can dine, drink and dance yourself into a merry state.   Commuting throughout the city is easy with it’s network of major train station’s interlinked with the tram system.

WHAT CAN MANCHESTER OFFER?

THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM

A free venue – The Manchester Museum is the country’s biggest university museum with a collection of 4,500,000 items from all around the world. The museum is housed within a striking Gothic style building and showcases the best in archaeology and natural history. The museum features a number of galleries focusing on diverse topics such as fossils, the ancient world, and world culture.

JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY

John Rylands Library is perhaps the most well known of Manchester’s famous libraries. Opened in 1900, the library exterior features beautiful Gothic style architecture popular amongst the university buildings. The library is worth a visit for the architecture alone, boasting gorgeous vaulted ceilings, soft lighting and ornate archways.

John Rylands Library is also one of the best academic libraries in The UK featuring a number of special collections. The library houses medieval manuscripts, early printed texts, as well as personal letters from a number of notable figures. 

MANCHESTER TOWN HALL

Manchester Town Hall has been used to film scenes in movies including The Iron Lady, Sherlock Holmes and Victor Frankenstein.

An iconic element of Manchester’s skyline Manchester Town Hall is the unmissable heart of the city. Featuring dramatic Gothic style architecture that dates from 1877, spend some time admiring the Town Hall from picturesque Albert Square. The clock tower reaches 85 metres and looks out over the city. For several weeks to the lead up to Christmas the town hall falls as an impressive backdrop to the city’s Christmas markets.

Sadly, from now until August 2026 you can no longer walk around inside or outside the building as it is closed for major refurbishment.

Albert Square Christmas Market – Manchester Town Hall

SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM  (MOSI)

Another free venue and one of my favourites. If there’s anything you want to know about the Industrial Revolution and Manchester’s key role in it you’ll find the answers here among this collection of steam engines and locomotives, factory machinery from the mill’s and the excellent exhibition telling the story of Manchester from the underground sewers (there is a tour of this).

This is the place to discover that Manchester was home to the world’s first stored-program computer in 1948 and that the world’s first submarine was built to the design’s of local curate Reverend George Garrett in 1880.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB (Old Trafford)

For football fans a visit to Old Trafford football stadium is a must. Home to Manchester United FC since 1910 the stadium is the largest in the country and one of its most iconic.

MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL GROUND

Manchester Etihad Stadium is the home ground of Manchester City Football Club. It was used for the 2002 Commonwealth Games then converted after the Games finished into a 48,000 seating capacity. The Stadium additionally becomes host to artists and musicians from around the world for concerts.

CHINA TOWN

Manchester’s Chinatown is the second largest in the UK and features a variety of restaurants, supermarkets and shops. It is home to Manchester’s extensive East Asian community and marked by a large arch constructed in 1987.  China Town is the place I go for all my authentic Chinese food ingredients.

MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL

Manchester Cathedral has stood since 1421 featuring a Gothic style exterior that imposes and awes. The site of the church has been used for centuries with evidence of an ancient church existing here in 700 AD. The cathedral boasts a lot of history, even in the stone used to build its floors that are full of small fossils.

HOME

HOME is Manchester’s hub for contemporary art, film and media, featuring a theatre, cinema, gallery and studio space. HOME celebrates independent art and culture, promoting engagement and curiosity.

There is always something new and exciting to experience at HOME with an ever-changing roster of films, exhibitions, performances, events and themed mini golf courses.

MAMUCIUM

Mamucium was a Roman fort founded in 79 AD, also known as Mancunium. Mamucium marked the first settlement of the Manchester area and was used in medieval times for farming purposes. Here you can see the layout of the civilian settlement that grew around the fort in Roman times. 

THE NORTHERN QUARTER (THE NQ)

This has to be one of my favourite areas of the city. It’s also the coolest district of the city. The architecture here is similar to New York City, hence if you’re lucky enough you may spot some filming. Spiderman, Captain America, Finest Hour and Sherlock Holmes have all been filmed here.

The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s alternative and bohemian capital brimming with independent businesses, boutiques and cafes. The Northern Quarter is a shopping haven home to Afflecks Palace which is like the Camden Market of London.

Check out the many boutiques and fashion designers hidden in the Quarter’s back streets or pick up some art at one of the commercial art galleries dotted around the area. After dark, the Northern Quarter boasts some of Manchester’s best nightlife scenes with jazz bars and music venues.

AFFLECKS PALACE – afflecks.com

Afflecks Palace is a multi-level warehouse crammed with all kinds of independent market stalls and shops offering goods and services of a more vintage era. It’s great for a look around.

GAY VILLAGE

Manchester is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ scene much of which is based in Canal Street – known as the Gay Village. The Gay Village hosts a number of annual events promoting LGBTQ+ culture and issues including Manchester Pride the last weekend in August. In addition, the nightlife here is fantastic with a wide variety of bars and restaurants lining the canal side. Visit Alter Ego for exhilarating themed nights including 80s nights and metal nights.

The Gay Village always offers a fun, safe and welcoming night out, or come along during the day for a pleasant stroll besides the canal when the area is much calmer.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

War museum’s generally appeal to those with a fascination for military hardware and battle.  

The visually stunning Imperial War Museum’s exhibits cover the main conflicts of the 20th century through a vast selection of display’s, including regular screening’s of the Big Picture Show.  The Museum building is extraordinary in itself due to the aluminium-clad building playing a huge part of the attraction and the exhibition’s on display are genuinely awe-inspiring.

Although entry is free you must obtain a ticket to enter. This is done to stagger visitor numbers throughout the day.

FOOD AND DRINK

I don’t even know where to begin with this. There are so many venues to choose from. Due to the ethic mix there is not a single culinary taste you will not find.   There is literally everything from English to Asian. European to African. Jewish to Brasilia and everything in between.

That said here are some considerations:

The Crafty Pig –  thecraftypigmanchester.co.uk

Located on Oldham Street near Piccadilly Gardens provides great pub food and drinks at great prices. Friday and Saturday nights live music is often provided.

Mackie Mayors – mackiemayor.co.uk

Located near the Printworks. Catch a tram to Shudehill station and make your way to Eagle Street.  Makie Mayor is found behind the The Holiday Inn Express hotel. 

Once you pass through the door you will find a selection of self service eateries where you place your food order and the waiter staff will serve to your table number.  Not the cheapest of places but a very ‘cool’ atmosphere.  It does become very busy especially over the weekends to ensure you are able to get a table arrive before 1230pm!!

Flight Club – flightclubdarts.com/manchester/

Flight Club is one of my favourite social places to hang out and have fun. Flight Club has taken the game of darts and embellished it making it cool, developing fast and exciting multiplayer games to create a social experience like no other.

Flight Club decor combines the heritage of darts, a pub and the fairground. If you’re seeking a lunch spot, hosting a team social or just fancy catching up over a cocktail at the bar – this place is ideal.

Dukes 92 – www.dukes92.com

Based in Castlefields it’s the areas best pub housed in converted stables that once belonged to the Duke of Bridgewater has comfy, deep sofas inside and plenty of seating outside, overlooking Lock 92 of the Rochdale Canal – hence the name.

If it’s sunny there’s no better spot to enjoy a pint of ale.  During the Summer months enjoy an open Hog Grill on the decking area.

The Town Hall Tavern – 20 Tib Lane

If you want to experience something a little different away from the tourist traps and main stream venues consider this little gem hidden away on Tib Lane. Think traditional ales and pub food within a relaxed atmosphere. It’s not uncommon to witness friends playing board games over a pint.

Peveril of the Peak

Located at 127 Great Bridgewater Street, it’s a Victorian pub that time forgot. It’s only a small venue but great for a quick beer away from the crowds.

Rain Bar – rain-bar.co.uk

Located at 80 Great Bridgewater Street (Opposite The Peveril of the Peak) is a trendy pub/restaurant with indoor seating and outdoor seating along the canal side. It caters in homely pub food with traditional ales.

Society – Society Manchester

This is a lovely basement area serving independent kitchen food and drinks in a very relaxed atmosphere. Located at Barbirolli Square opposite the Bridgewater Hall. It does become rather busy especially weekends and post-work drinks.

Freight Island – escapetofreightisland.com

Located near Piccadilly train station at 11 Baring Street, offers open air and indoor dining from a variety of independent vendors. It’s a great place to relax over food, conversation and occasionally music on stage.

Wong Wong Bakery – wongwongbakery.com

Head to 32 Princess Street in Chinatown and you’ll find the best bakery around…well in Chinatown anyway. They offer very generous size cakes, sandwiches, bread and all manner of Chinese delicacies at reasonable prices. NOTE: They only accept cash.

FINAL THOUGHT

Manchester allows London to have the attention it so desires because Manchester already knows what it has. The city is just waiting for everyone else to figure this out.​ ​

 If you want the traditional English experience of castles, red tourist buses and people too socially stunted to look or speak to a stranger stay to London. Despite how busy London is it really is beautiful and everyone should go at least once.

However, if you want the kind of city that makes you feel at home, if you want to make friends, if you want to stroll amidst gorgeous architecture and good books and better music — visit Manchester. You will be the only person you know who did.

Deansgate Locks and Atlas Bar

Why not check out my blog on MANCHESTER MUSTS

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