Castlefields District

Manchester boasts a formidable industrial heritage, a testament to its manufacturing wealth that has shaped the city into a diverse powerhouse, boldly advancing towards expansion. Following London, it stands as the next prime destination for air travel. Manchester Airport is the third largest in the country, surpassed only by London Heathrow and London Gatwick.

Manchester City Library

Due to the city’s prime location, driving to North Wales, the West Midlands, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, and the Lake District is a breeze. The residents here are among the friendliest in the country, always eager to strike up a conversation with complete strangers.

Manchester – the ‘uncrowned’ capital of the North truly lives up to its remarkable title! This vibrant city is steeped in a rich tapestry of history and culture, inviting you to lose yourself in its captivating museums and galleries. Yet, it’s not just the echoes of the past that make Manchester irresistible; it’s the intoxicating blend of joy and excitement that sweeps you off your feet!

Indulge in delightful dining, sip on tantalising drinks, and dance the night away. Navigating this lively urban gem is a breeze, thanks to its comprehensive network of major train stations seamlessly connected to the tram system, making every adventure just a ride away!

WHAT CAN MANCHESTER OFFER?

The Oxford Road Corridor

This is a lively stretch of Manchester home to university campuses and the student population. Lovingly named the “Knowledge Quarter” offers museums, galleries and a vibrant Indie music scene.

The Manchester Museum of Natural History

A free venue – located on the Oxford Road University corridor, The Manchester Museum is the country’s biggest university museum with a collection of over 4 million 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.

For more information click this link.

The Whitworth Gallery

Sitting gracefully inside Whitworth Park at the southern end of the corridor, the gallery blends historic red-brick architecture with sleek glass structures, showcasing world-class modern art, textiles, and sculptures.

For more information visit the WhitworthSitting Gallery link.

WHERE TO EAT: This mile stretch of Oxford Road caters towards the student population so expect food to be fast and convenient.

Deansgate District

Deansgate serves as the ultimate city centre connector cutting through the very best of Manchester’s culture, history, and nightlife. Walking down Deansgate feels like walking through time. You can start your morning at a medieval cathedral and end your night sipping cocktails on the 23rd floor of a glass skyscraper.

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. 

Abraham Lincoln Statue

Head towards a little secluded square called Lincoln Square and you’ll discover an American president. The statue of Abraham Lincoln was erected as a reminder of the link between the city and the American civil war.

Manchester was the largest processor of cotton in the world. The city took a strong moral and political stance by supporting Lincoln despite his blockade of the Confederate states beginning in April 1861.

This measure drastically reduced supplies of cotton reaching Liverpool and, therefore, the cotton mills of Lancashire.

Lincoln wrote a letter on 19th January 1863 to thank the people of Manchester for their support.

In January 1865, months before Lincoln’s assassination, US Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment.

Slavery throughout the United States was officially abolished.

HOME

Located at the First Street District, 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.

Tower of Light

The Tower of Light is proof that sustainable infrastructure can be an absolute art form. Standing 131 feet tall (40 metres), this futuristic structure looks less like a functional piece of engineering and more like an intricate sculpture. It serves as the prominent flue tower for the city’s low-carbon energy network, heating iconic landmarks like the Central Library and Bridgewater Hall.

During the day its white laced geometric steel structure captures the natural sunlight; however by night, it completely transforms into a spectacular lit beacon of changing colours. It’s a must see quick stop for that night time photo.

WHERE TO EAT IN DEANSGATE:

• Albert’s Schloss – albertsschloss.com/manchester

Located at 27 Peter Street, offering German themed cuisine. It does become very busy at weekend.

• Evuna – evuna.com

Located at 279 Deansgate Road, serving delicious Spanish tapas plates. The nearest tram stop for both would be Deansgate/Castlefields.

• Atlas Bar – atlasbarmanchester

Located at 376 Deansgate, opposite Deansgate/Castlefields tram stop, is a small venture with an outdoor veranda offering drinks and signature cocktails. It’s a great venue to meet for drinks.

The City Centre

The city centre is where you’ll find the hustle and bustle of Manchester. It’s the main shopping offering Hugh street brands, The Arndale shopping centre and some great little eateries.

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, until Spring 2027 the Town Hall is closed to the general public for ongoing restoration work.

Albert Square Christmas Market – Manchester Town Hall

WHERE TO EAT AROUND THE CITY CENTRE

• The English Lounge – craftunionpubs.com/english-lounge-manchester

Located at 66 High Street, offering traditional pub food and cask ales and drinks. Over match days of a weekend it can become very loud.

• The Croft Kitchen –croftnqmanchester.com

Located at 3 Nicholas Croft that serves delicious Sunday roasts.

• Shakespeare – greeneking.co.uk/pubs/lancashire/shakespeare

Located on Fountain Street (nearest tram stop is Market Street). This venue offers great pub food, but is a great place to stop purely for drinks.

• Moose Cafe – moosecoffee.co

There a couple of venues around the city, however the site located at 20 York Street, is fantastic. This is a Canadian diner offering large breakfasts and lunches. I’d advise pre-booking this venue. It’s constantly busy.

• 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.

Castlefields District

Castlefields is one of the older areas of Manchester founded by the Romans in 79AD. It’s an area of iron bridges and calming canals – very much disguising the hay day its industrial past. From a personal view, this has to be one of my favourite districts of the city. The nearest tram stop for this whole area is Deansgate/Castlefields.

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.

Mamucium

Mamucium was a Roman fort founded in 79 AD. 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 Manchester Highline

Similar to that of the New York City Highline, but on a much smaller scale, the Manchester High Line refers to a section of the Castlefield Viaduct, a historic 125 year old steel railway bridge that the National Trust has transformed into an elevated urban sky park and walkway. It’s free to roam but booking a tour is advised. The nearest tram stop is Castlefields/Deansgate.

WHERE TO EAT AROUND CASTLEFIELDS

Castlefields has to be my favourite area of the city for it’s architecture and bars.

• 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.

• Peveril of the Peak (“The Pev”)

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.

• The Wharf – brunningandprice.co.uk/thewharf

Located at 6 Slate Wharf, this is a large venue offering classic food and drinks, with an outdoor dining area overlooking the canals.

Chinatown District

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.

WHERE TO EAT IN CHINATOWN

• Happy Seasons Chinese Restaurant – happy-seasons.co.uk

Located at 59 Faulkner Street, is a small informal restaurant that offers some of the nicest Chinese food I’ve ever eaten. It becomes very busy and often has a queue waiting outside.

• Kaya – kayaeatery.co.uk/menu

Located on Faulkner Street opposite Happy Seasons Chinese Restaurant, is this small restaurant offering a modest Malaysian menu. The buttered chicken is delicious.

• 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.

The Medieval Quarter

When most people think of Manchester, they picture towering red-brick cotton mills, industrial canals, and sleek modern skyscrapers. But if you know where to look, you can step right out of the 21st century and into the 15th century.

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.

Chetham’s Library

Founded in 1653 but housed in 15th century priest domestic quarters, this is the oldest public library in the English speaking world. Its dark, atmospheric, book lined corridors look like something straight out of Hogwarts. It’s also famously where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels sat at a window desk to study in 1845.

WHERE TO EAT AROUND THE MEDIEVAL QUARTER

• The Mitre & Sinclair’s Oyster Bar –

Just around the corner in Shambles Square, you’ll find these historic pubs. Sinclair’s is a gorgeous timber-framed Tudor building that was actually dismantled and moved, piece by piece, to its current spot in the 1990s to protect it during nearby redevelopments.

• The Old Wellington – nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/northwest/theoldwellingtonmanchester

Located at 4 Cathedral Gates is a great pub offering hearty pub classics and ales and spirits.

• The Washhouse – washhousemcr.com

Located at 19 Shudehill, this bricked cocktail bar is cunningly disguised as a launderette from the street.

The Northern Quarter

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.

WHERE TO EAT AROUND THE NORTHERN QUARTER

• 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.

• Northern Monk – northernmonk.com

Located at 10 Tariff Street in the Northern Quarter is a great bar that offers IPA ales along with other spirits and food. Their signature food, and ideal for a late lunch, is their fried chicken sandwich biscuits. The “Cowboy” is a particular favourite of mine.

• Mackie Mayor – mackiemayor.co.uk

Located at Smithfield Market Hall, catch a tram to Shudehill station and make your way to Eagle Street.  This indoor venue offers all sorts of independent vendors within a social seating area. Arrived early. It becomes extremely busy.

Ancoats and New Islington District

Adjacent to the Northern Quarter, Ancoats neighbourhood, once industrial, has shed its smoky past to become one of the UK’s most vibrant, red-brick cultural hubs. A walk down Redhill Street reveals the historic Murray’s Mills, a stunningly preserved complex built in 1798 that stands as a monument to the Industrial Revolution, now morphed into luxury apartments.

Murray’s Mills, Ancoats

WHERE TO EAT AROUND ANCOATS AND NEW ISLINGTON DISTRICT

• Elnecot – elnecot.com

​Located at Cutting Room Square, is a brilliant neighbourhood kitchen and bar named after the first recorded settlement in the area from 1212. Its signature dish sees the popular favourite Sunday roast.

• Viet Shack – vietshackrestaurant.co.uk

Located at 65 Ancoats Street, Viet Shack delivers incredibly vibrant and modern Vietnamese street food packed with fresh, bold flavours.

• The Edinburgh Castle Pub – ec-ancoats.com

​Located at 17 Blossom Street, this historic 19th century pub has been beautifully restored into a gastropub that nods to its roots while offering a highly polished food menu. It’s an ideal choice when you want a cozy pub atmosphere without sacrificing quality.

Spinningfields and Financial District

Spinningfields has a sleek, high-flying alter ego. Often dubbed the “Canary Wharf of the North,” this compact district has completely transformed from a historic textile hub into the city’s premier destination for luxury dining, chic cocktail bars and modern architecture.

People’s History Museum

Located right on the banks of the River Irwell in a converted Edwardian pumping station, the People’s History Museum is the UK’s national museum dedicated to the history of British democracy.

WHERE TO EAT AROUND SPINNINGFIELDS DISTRICT

• 20 Stories – 20stories.co.uk

Located at 1 Hardman Street, this rooftop restaurant oozes glamour with panoramic views of the Manchester skyline. Reservations are required.

• The Oast House – theoasthouse.uk.com

Located at The Avenue, Courtyard, The Oast House is a rustic, fairy-lit wooden pavilion right in the middle of modern high-rises.

• The Ivy – ivycollection.com

Located at Pavillion, Byron Street, this multi-story luxury featuring a traditional brasserie and an opulent Asian roof garden.

Canal Street

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.

WHERE TO EAT AROUND CANAL STREET

• Madre Mexican – thisismadre.co.uk

​Found at 47 Chorlton Street, is an upbeat Mexican restaurant inspired by the food culture of Mexico City. The atmosphere is relaxed and the food delicious.

• Velvet Hotel, Bar and Brasserie – velvetmanchester.com

Located on Canal Street is one of Manchester’s premier boutique hotels, blending rich heritage with contemporary luxury. Downstairs, the atmospheric Velvet Bar offers a moody setting accented with rose gold and smoky mirrors. To complete the trio, the stylish Village Brasserie serves a blend of British and Mediterranean-influenced dishes.

What Else Can Manchester Offer?

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.

Manchester United Football Stadium

Manchester United Football 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.

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 Stadium

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.

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.

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.

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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