Manchester, this week’s destination on our road trip, is very well known for many things. For football-fans, it’s most likely to be the football club Manchester United that makes the city famous. But also scientists, historians, sociologists, and computer fans have reasons to know the city for something special within their field.
A few facts that you may not know about Machester:
- It was the site of the world’s first railway station
- It is the city where Charles Rolls met Henry Royce in 1904, and agreed to create a company that would later go on to manufacture the ‘best car in the world
- Manchester University boasts no fewer than 25 Nobel Prize winners amongst its current and former staff and students.
- With its steam-powered cotton mills, was the world’s first industrial city.
- Tom Kilburn along with Sir Freddie Williams invented the world’s first computer, ‘Baby,’ in Manchester in 1948.
Here are our recommendations for things to do in this wonderful city.
If the weather is nice, we suggest you take a stroll through these parks:
- Heaton Park
- Accessible from Manchester City Centre by Bus or Metrolink
- The three main vehicular entrances are St Margaret’s Rd, Smithy Lodge and Sheepfoot Lane entrances
- Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens
- Located on Rylstone Ave, Manchester M21 7PS
If you are less lucky with the weather, we can recommend these places to spend some free time:
- The Town Hall
- 2 Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2JT
- The Cathedral
- Exchange Station Approach, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX
- The Museum of Science and Industry
- Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4FP
- Manchester United Football Club Museum and Tour Centre
- Old Trafford, Sir Matt Busby Way, M16 0RA
- Manchester Art Gallery
- Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL
Must-see-sights in the area:
- Piccadilly Gardens should not be missed as it holds many events especially throughout the summer and lots of promotions on its close-by restaurants and eateries. Tip: Our Manchester hotel overlooks Piccadilly Gardens and is just a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly station.
- Manchester Wheel - The 60m high, contemporary, big wheel has 42 capsules that seat up to eight people. Its spectacular views across Manchester and beyond are an unforgettable experience for all the family.
- Granada Studios – The Manchester or Granada Studios are home to Granada Television, the ITV francise for North West England
- Old Trafford or ‘Theatre of Dreams’ – The football stadium of Manchester United
- China Town – One of the largest China Towns outside of China itself
- Salford Quays – Waterfront destination with a mix of culture, retail and leisure offerings
- Imperial War Museum – Admission is free, open daily
Here are just a few of the varied, plentiful food offerings to chose from in Manchester:
Lunch Venues
- Kro Piccadilly, M1 1RG, Tel: 0161 244 5765
- Harvey Nichols, 21 New Cathedral Street, M1 1AD, Tel: 0161 828 8888
- Nando’s, Manchester Arndale Centre, M4 3AQ, Tel: 0161 834 3073
Dinner Venues
- Rosso Restaurant and Bar, 43-45 Spring Gardens, M2 2BG, Tel: 0161 832 1400
- Walrus (Northern Quarter), 78-88 High Street, M4 1ES, Tel: 0161 828 8700
- Vermilion Restaurant and Cinnabar, Hulme Hall Lane, M40 8AD, Tel: 0161 202 0055
