Manchester

There’s Much More to Manchester!

Manchester is easily one of the most welcoming cities in the UK. It’s all that northern, salt-of-the-earth charm wrapped up in a reputation for good taste that keeps people coming back again and again...

Whilst Manchester is famous for its Premier league-leading football teams, United and City, there’s so much more to Manchester than football. It’s well known as the home of the most famous cobbles in the world on Coronation Street and it’s always been a northern powerhouse. Manchester is famous as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and this rich heritage is reflected in the wealth of culture on offer - indoors and out.

The city is home to lots of free museums, including the Museum of Science and Industry, People’s History Museum and the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport. In fact, if you’re trying to make the pennies go further AND STILL entertain the family, Manchester has a wealth of free visitor attractions all year round. The Lowry is the most visited cultural venue in Greater Manchester and there’s always something on, whether some theatre, an exhibition or event.

Manchester’s also famous for its markets. From Bury in the north to Stockport south of the city, there’s a market for every taste and something for everyone. We like taking our time to discover artisan food stalls, local crafts and the art. Some, like Mackie Mayor, once Manchester’s flagship meat market, are set up for dining: you can soak up the atmosphere over casual dinner and drinks, a quick coffee or enjoy delicious street food from around the world. And whether you’re buying or window shopping, it’s an infinitely Instagrammable location!

Whatever kind of retail therapy you’re after, you'll find it when you travel to Manchester, from independents and artisans to the biggest brands. At the heart of Manchester, the Arndale is the biggest inner-city shopping centre in the country, bringing the best shopping, food, drink and entertainment together under one roof. A few miles to the west of the city you’ll find the Trafford Centre and it’s one of the UK’s biggest shopping centres with one of the biggest food courts in Europe. Both are a great day out.

And while Manchester is a thriving hub in the day, this is a city that really comes to life at night. That’s a lot to do with a music scene that’s evolved over generations and includes every sound and scene, from classical to Brit Pop. And whether you prefer a cosy pub or an underground club, you’ll find it here. As a rough guide, Manchester’s hot spots include the Northern Quarter where you’ll find lots of cool, independent bars, Oxford Road which is student central, Deansgate Locks for something a bit more upmarket, Spinningfields for great restaurants and The Gay Village where you’ll find pretty canal-side cobbled streets. In summer, it feels like carnival day, every day!