Considered
by many to be England’s second city, Manchester is a place where an industrial
and politically radical heritage goes hand in hand with a vibrant cultural
scene, notable for its artistic, architectural, theatrical and musical output.
If you want
to find out more about the city, its history and attractions, the Visit
Manchester website provides
a comprehensive guide of places to visit and where to eat, drink and stay as
well as useful maps and transport information.
If you're
arriving early or staying on after the conference, you may wonder how to spend
your leisure time so here is a small selection of some of the best places to
visit, eat and drink in.
Galleries and Museums
Castlefield Gallery A
contemporary art gallery featuring a diverse range of contemporary art across a
programme of six exhibitions a year.
Cornerhouse A major force in Manchester’s, as well
as Britain’s, contemporary arts scene, this arts centre features three cinema
screens, three galleries, a café bar and a book shop specialising in film
books, cultural magazines and postcards.
Manchester
Art Gallery is one of the
city’s most popular cultural destinations and houses many of Manchester’s most
important works of fine and decorative art. The gallery is particularly well
known for its collections of Pre-Raphaelite and impressionist paintings, but
also hosts an exciting exhibition programme ranging from the historic to the contemporary
and featuring photography, design and decorative arts.
Manchester
Craft and Design Centre Winner
of the 2013 Manchester Tourism award for ‘Best Independent Tourism Retailer’,
the centre is home to two floors of studios where you can purchase goods
ranging from jewellery and bags to ceramics, interior accessories and
furniture, direct from the designer-makers themselves. The centre also
comprises the Oak St Café Bar which is renowned for its coffee and delicious
home cooked food, and runs a rolling programme of exhibitions showcasing both
British and international contemporary craft and design.
MOSI Based on the site of the oldest
passenger railway station in the world, the Museum of Science and Industry is
an attraction not to be missed. With highlights including the hands-on
‘Experiment!’ gallery, huge collections of historic working machinery and
vintage vehicles, the ‘Underground Manchester’ gallery which features a
re-creation of a Victorian sewer and the ‘Making of Manchester’ exhibition that
traces the history of the city from the Roman invasion to the present day,
there really is something for everyone!
People’s
History Museum A unique part
of Manchester’s cultural make-up, the museum fits in perfectly with the city’s
radical background, as it charts Britain’s struggle for equality and democracy
over the past two centuries. Featuring interactive exhibits and activities in
each of the main galleries, as well as a changing exhibitions space, the museum
tackles a weighty and complex subject in a light and engaging manner.
Out and About
Castlefield is the industrial and Roman heart of
Manchester, and its features include a partially reconstructed Roman fort,
Roman amphitheatre, industrial revolution era canals and Victorian viaducts. It
is also home to the Museum of Science and Industry, an events arena that hosts
a range of one-off gatherings and performances and many popular bars and
restaurants.
Exchange Square/New Cathedral Street As well as
playing host to branches of two of the most renowned UK department stores in
the shape of Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, this area is also home to many
other upmarket retailers including Hugo Boss, Joseph, LK Bennett, Radley and
Reiss. Facing the square you will find the Corn Exchange, which offers a
variety of dining options ranging from Italian to Asian.
King Street Considered to be one of Manchester’s
most prestigious shopping areas, here you can find collections from British and
international brands including Cath Kidston, DKNY, Mulberry, Tommy Hilfiger,
Vivienne Westwood and Whistles.
Northern Quarter Manchester’s
self-styled creative district, situated between Piccadilly and Ancoats, is home
to the Church Street Market as well as a
vast array of independent shops, bars and eateries. Still featuring redbrick
alleys, tiny shop fronts and sprawling warehouses right out of the 19th
century, the area is a hub of contemporary and street art nonetheless, with
poems embedded in pavements, graffiti and stencil art decorating walls and
shutters and even a giant blue tit mural adorning the side of a listed
building.
Piccadilly Gardens The largest open space in the city
centre, this area features grassy areas and fountains, surrounded by a variety
of cafes, bars and restaurants. On a sunny day, it’s a great place for people
watching or simply just taking in the bustling atmosphere. Thursdays see the
arrival of the Street Food and Fruit and Flower markets, whilst the Craft Market trades on Fridays and
Saturdays.
Eating and Drinking
Getting Around
Whilst the Visit Manchester website provides a
full transport guide, it’s worth highlighting the free Metroshuttle bus service, which
runs from all Manchester’s major railway stations and links the main
attractions, car parks, shopping areas and businesses. Fast and
frequent, the service runs from 7 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday, 8 am to 7 pm on
Saturdays and 10 am -6 pm on Sundays.
