Manchester, places to visit?

A lively city of culture and events

Manchester, in the north of England, is the symbol of English sophistication. Once dominated by industry, it was able to transform itself into a contemporary metropolis, with modern buildings like the Lowry Centre, a rich cultural and artistic scene and excellent sport: it is home, in fact, to the grounds of Manchester United - Old Trafford.

Manchester city. Photo: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

The Central Library, which takes inspiration from the Roman Pantheon, is the largest public library in the world, and the magnificent Royal Exchange Theatre houses what is currently the largest central stage on earth.

The Central Library of Manchester. Photo: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

It is often coined as the first industrialised city in the world, and traces of this industrial past are visible in various spots throughout the city. It is exactly this extraordinary mix of old and modern features that gives Manchester its unique appearance. A popular saying states: “Manchester does today what the world does tomorrow”: in fact it is birthplace of the first computer.

The old and new town hall in Manchester. Photo: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

The museums of Manchester

The city offers numerous attractions, from museums to art galleries, from stadiums to music venues. The majority of the 90 museums in Manchester are free, including the galleries of the famous Lowry Centre.

The Lowry Centre of Manchester. Photo: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Thanks to its mix of different cultures, Manchester offers a wide range of places to eat and drink, from award winning restaurants to cosy gastropubs, to the many cafes located along the canals of historical Castlefield.

The creative and independent heart of the ’Mancunians’ (the name given to the inhabitants of Manchester) is alive and thriving in the Northern Quarter, the realm of the DJs.

The shopping at Manchester

Manchester is an ideal destination for shopping: Manchester Fashion Market is the first market dedicated to north-western fashion, King Street is the perfect destination for big brand-names, the Arndale Centre provides numerous offers, whilst Affleck’s Palace is a labyrinth of independent boutiques.

The Shambles Square of Manchester. Photo: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Text by Luca Lembi

Updated by Alisè Vitri

Avion Tourism Magazine

Tourism Board

www.visitmanchester.com

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Where to sleep in Manchester

Manchester. Photo: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Manchester is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the district

LANDMARKS

Hotel in tourist areas

Etihad Stadium

Gay Village

King Street

Legoland Discovery Center

LANDMARKS

Hotel in tourist areas

University of Manchester

Metropolitan University

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

Aereoporto di Manchester (MAN)

NEARLY

Greater Manchester

WHERE TO GO in manchester

Monuments in Manchester

Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL

The splendid cathedral interiors are a wonderful example of late Medieval woodworking. In the northern part of the cathedral, the choir and ceiling are splendid and full of lively sculpted details, as are the special modern windows.

Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

MANCHESTER TOWN HALL

Manchester Town Hall, the city’s municipal building, was designed in Victorian Neo-Gothic style by Alfred Waterhouse and inaugurated in 1877. Among the particularly interesting rooms in the Town Hall are the Sculpture Hall and the Great Hall, decorated with a glazed skylight inscribed with the names of every mayor and chair of the council since 1838.

Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

THE LOWRY

Inaugurated in 2000 in the wake of celebrations for the new millennium, The Lowry is a centre for the arts. Designed by the architect Michael Wilford, it is more or less triangular in shape and clad in sheets of aluminium and glass. Inside it offers two beautiful theatres and an art gallery.

JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY

The Library, a masterpiece of Victorian Neo-gothic architecture, is more like a castle or cathedral. John Rylands died in 1888 and was one of the most successful industrialists in Manchester. The library was commissioned in 1890 by his wife Enriqueta in his memory. The collections include the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St. John Fragment, and other treasures, such as the medieval illuminated manuscripts and a 1476 edition of Canterbury Tales.

ARLEY HALL E GARDENS

This early Victorian mansion house offers 12 acres of magnificent gardens of great charm. The house is open to the public and you can take long walks, eat in its restaurant and enjoy events organised throughout the year.

Museums

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH

Trafford Wharf Road - The Quays
This multi-award winning museum is one of the top tourist attractions in England. Located 2 miles from the city centre, it is about the people and their stories and how their lives have been shaped by wars and conflict.

MANCHESTER MUSEUM

Four floors of displays and exhibitions in 15 galleries show collections from all over the world. The most famous galleries are the Egyptology galleries and the Prehistoric Life Gallery, while in the Vivarium you can see live reptiles and frogs. In addition to its permanent collections, the Museum also has regular temporary exhibitions and a programme of activities throughout the year.

Excursions in Manchester and its surroundings

VICTORIA BATHS

The Victoria Baths complex was designed by Manchester’s first architect of the city, Henry Price, and inaugurated in 1906. The façade has multi-coloured brickwork and terracotta decorations, the interiors are clad in glazed tiles, and most of the windows are decorated with stained glass. The baths are open for guided tours and special events.

TATTON PARK

Tatton Park offers a historical mansion house, a farm and more than 1,000 acres of parkland. The magnificent mansion house was built between 1780 and 1813 and preserves its original furnishings as well as an important collection of paintings and old books. Well worth a visit are the Japanese gardens, which have recently been renovated and are considered the best in Europe. The Park organises events throughout the year that make a visit all the more interesting.

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE

Is the family attractions designed for kids aged 3-10 years, filled with over 2 million LEGO bricks under one roof. With a 4D cinema, LEGO rides, master model builder workshops, party rooms and huge LEGO shop. Visits usually last 2-3 hours.

SANTA'S LAPLAND

Specialises in short breaks (3 or 4 day) to see Santa in Lapland. These magical holidays are a once in a lifetime chance to take the kids to experience this amazing Arctic winter wonderland and enjoy a private meeting with Santa. The classic short break or the slightly longer break to visit Santa in Lapland include flights from Manchester, and a transfer at the other end.

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