Welcome to our Manchester travel blog! Join us as we delve into the vibrant tapestry of England’s north, exploring the rich history, diverse culture, and urban charms that define this dynamic city.
From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, culinary delights to cultural experiences, our blog offers an insider’s guide to discovering the essence of Manchester.
Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, or urban explorer, there’s something for everyone in the bustling streets and neighborhoods of Manchester.
Let us be your guide as we uncover the stories, sights, and sensations that make Manchester a must-visit destination.
The best thing about this city is its diversity. You will find the ultra-modern building sharing the skyline with the Neo-Gothic structures.
There is always something going on in this city whether it is an international festival, football match, or high-profile music performance.
Things to do in Manchester:
1. Castlefield:
It is an urban Heritage Park. Here, you can walk and explore the lovingly restored Victorian houses along with the old canals or through the reconstructed Roman Fort.
The old warehouses that line the canal are now transformed into offices, shops, hotels, and restaurants. You will also find an art gallery with exhibitions of contemporary art and Bridgewater Hall.
2. Manchester Cathedral:
This spot is popular for its chapels on both sides of the nave and choir. It is mostly built in Gothic style.
Inside the cathedral, you will see late medieval wooden furnishings, commissioned by former warden James Stanley. It is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
3. National Football Museum:
Originally opened in Preston, it relocated to Manchester in 2012. It contains about 2,500 amazing objects ranging from vintage boots to the ball used in the first-ever World Cup Final.
You can take a guided tour and learn more about this museum by watching a short film called “Our Beautiful Game” from 11 am to 3 pm. The museum opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm. The admission fee is 10 GBP.
4, Manchester Art Gallery:
This art gallery contains the largest art collections in Britain outside of London. The galleries feature British and European art and design with a few contemporary works.
Here, you will find pieces from well-known English artists, including Stubbs, Constable, and Turner. Admission is free. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.
5. Chinatown:
It is located between Mosley and Portland Street. It is the second-largest Chinatown in the UK.
You will find a wide range of quality restaurants, bakeries, and shops. The restaurants here serve up flavors from China, Nepal, Vietnam, Japan, and more.
Chinatown opens at midnight and closes at 10:30 pm.
6. Manchester Town Hall:
This town hall is regarded as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the UK. Currently, this town hall is licensed for wedding and civil partnerships and is available to fire for conferences and other events.
Outside the town hall you will find a clock tower and inside you will find a great hall and collection of over 3,000 items including sculptures, paintings, and silverware related to Manchester’s history.
Manchester town hall opens 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm and admission is free.
7. Heaton Park:
Heaton Park covers an area of about 600 acres. It is the biggest park in Greater Manchester and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe.
It is like heaven for sports enthusiasts as it contains an 18-hole golf course, driving range, mini putt, and tennis court. Along with these, it has a boating lake, an animal farm, woodlands, ornamental gardens, an observatory, and an adventure playground.
Entry is free. It opens at 10:30 am and closes at 6 pm.
8. Fletcher Moss Park:
This park is located in Didsbury, Manchester between the River Mersey and Stenner Woods. It is a botanical garden and part wildlife habitat.
Here, you can also play tennis, rugby, and football. The main attraction of this garden is a walled rock garden which was laid out by the botanist Robert Wood Williamson on a south-facing slope.
This park opens seven days a week from 8 to 5 pm.
9. Platt Hall:
Platt Hall is also called the Gallery of Costumes. It is the world’s first dedicated museum of clothes. It houses the most important costume collections in Britain.
In the collection, you will find 20,000 fashion items from the 17th century to the present. Admission to this gallery is free.
10. The Science and Industry Museum:
The Science and Industry Museum is located in the heart of Manchester City. The displays here include cars, aircraft, railway locomotives, water, electricity, and gas engines, and textiles.
Most of the machines are operational and can be seen running. There is also a 4D theatre with moving seats, air blasts, and water sprays.
This museum also has a cafe on the ground floor where you can get hot and cold drinks and snacks. The Science and Industry Museum opens daily and entry to this museum is free for all. This museum opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm.
Food to try in Manchester:
1. Black Pudding:
People also call it Black Pudding blood pudding or blood sausage. They make it from pig’s blood and fat, with fillers like barley, oats, groats, and suet. They serve it with malt vinegar.
2. Manchester Tart:
It is a traditional English baked tart having a shortcrust pastry shell, spread with raspberry jam, covered with a custard filling, and topped with flakes of coconut and a Maraschino cherry.
How to reach Manchester:
1. By flight:
Manchester Airport is the largest airport in the UK. It is located in the Southern part of the city about 9 km away from the city center.
You will get taxis outside the airport to get to the city center.
2. By train:
Manchester has 2 main railway stations: Victoria in the North and Piccadilly in the South. Picadilly is the main station for long-distance trains from around the UK.
Victoria is majorly for local stopping trains coming from West Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Liverpool.
3. By bus:
The main bus station in Manchester is Chorlton Street, Coach Station. It is located between Chinatown and The Village.
Another bus station is Piccadilly Gardens bus station. It serves buses coming from the South of Manchester.
