Located in the North-West of England, Manchester is one of the UK’s most exciting cities. With a proud history as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester is a city with a strong heritage. England’s second-largest city is one packed full of creativity and progression with deep roots across music, sport, art and science. Manchester is very easy to navigate and a pleasure to explore with an abundance of incredible shops, restaurants, bars and museums within the city centre. The surrounding area of Greater Manchester is also a joy to discover with quaint villages, market towns and stunning nature.
Attend a Football Match
Across the world, Manchester is probably most famous for football. Two Premier League football teams call the city home and have an incredibly strong following. Manchester United and Manchester City have had some of the world’s most famous footballers on their team including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin de Bruyne. On match days, football takes over the city and attending a game at either Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium is an electric experience. Both stadiums can also be toured which is a great opportunity for avid football supporters.
Price: Varies by match
Hours: Varies by match
Visit Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum is the countries largest university museum and is home to over 4.5million artefacts. The museum features a number of galleries and exhibitions showcasing natural history and archaeology. As with many natural history museums, Manchester Museum is home to the skeleton of an incredible dinosaur and Stan the T-Rex has the world’s best-preserved tyrannosaurus rex skull. The museum also has a vivarium, home to live reptiles and amphibians including some of the world’s rarest frogs.
Price: Free
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Enjoy The Northern Quarter
Manchester’s Northern Quarter is the city’s most buzzing area with an alternative and bohemian vibe. The Northern Quarter is brimming with independent shops, restaurants and bars as well as incredible, commercial art galleries. Affleck’s Palace is an old department store which now houses an electric bazaar offering alternative clothing and trinkets. In addition, the area offers the best nightlife the city has to offer with numerous quirky bars, secret speakeasies and busy jazz clubs.
Price: Free to visit
Hours: 24/7
Read in John Rylands Library
Not only is this library visually breathtaking with its gothic-style architecture and high-vaulted ceilings, it is a wonder to visit and explore the shelves. John Rylands Library is one of the best academic libraries in the country and is home to early printed texts, medieval manuscripts and personal letters to and from notable historic figures. The library offers a peaceful setting to take a break from the bustling city and is an incredible library to learn, explore and enjoy.
Price: Free
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Stroll through Heaton Park
Spanning an incredible 600 acres, Heaton Park is Europe’s largest public green space. The park is a great place to enjoy a relaxing stroll but also offers a number of attractions. The park has an animal centre which is home to goats, pigs and other farm animals as well as a picturesque pond hidden within the woods. Heaton Hall also stands within the grounds and is an immaculately-restored stately home whilst Heaton Park Tramway features a historic tram from the early 20th-century.
Price: Free
Hours: Daily 8am – dusk
Browse the art at Manchester Art Gallery
Art lovers will truly feel at home in Manchester Art Gallery. The gallery celebrates both local and international work documenting centuries of art. Manchester Art Gallery showcases paintings from incredible artists such as Gainsborough, Turner and Pissaro as well as the most exciting contemporary pieces. The gallery also features numerous collections and artefacts of craft, ceramics, fashion and homeware. Manchester Art Gallery offers an eclectic mixture of the very best the art world has to offer and is the best place to visit for art in the city.
Price: Free
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11am-4pm
Experience HOME
HOME is a cultural hotspot and Manchester’s main hub for contemporary art, film and media. The venue features a cinema, theatre, gallery and studio space with a changing roster of events, exhibitions and performances. In addition to the opportunity to view, experience and enjoy, visitors can also get involved with a variety of workshops and events available. The venue also features a restaurant, two bars and a bookshop making it a one-stop-shop.
Price: Free to visit, events vary
Hours: Daily 10am-10pm, events may vary
Learn at the Museum of Science and Industry
Within the fields of science and technology, the city of Manchester has played a significant role and the Museum of Science and Industry celebrates the city’s contributions within these areas. Manchester also played an important role in the transport industry which is highlighted within the museum with a ride on a train from 1830. The museum offers interactive activities making it a great attraction for all the family and is a fun, entertaining way to learn about the city and industry.
Price: Free
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Ski at Chill Factore
With a lack of snow in the UK and limited supply when it does actually come in, skiing and snowboarding in the country is almost non-existent. Chill Factore, however, brings Winter indoors with a 180-metre-long real snow slope. The centre offers a variety of snow sports and activities including skiing, snowboarding, an ice slide, play park and Snowscoot – a BMX experience on ice. With freedom for experienced powder surfers and lessons for newbies, Chill Factore can offer an experience for everyone.
Price: Varies by activity
Hours: Daily 10am-8pm
