As my train pulls into Manchester Piccadilly station, following a quick two-hour hop from London, I find myself immediately transported into another world. Everything looks so dramatically different. For starters, I notice just how urbanised downtown Manchester is. Age-old heritage buildings and warehouse-style structures coexist peacefully next to gleaming glass skyscrapers.The city centre of Manchester wears a visibly gentrified look and exudes a charming, artsy vibe. A case in point is the boho-chic Northern Quarter. Walk down Oldham Street and you will see a string of trendy bars, upscale restaurants and local neighbourhood taverns, brimming with hipsters and tourists.
Or perhaps the buzzing Exchange Square, where locals sit at sidewalk cafes and pubs, in the shadow of heritage buildings, and stare at the ultra-modern Arndale Shopping Centre.
Visitors to Manchester can and must spend time discovering the jewels of the city — step into the gothic portals of the Manchester Cathedral or John Rylands Library. Alternatively, to truly put your finger on the pulse of the city, take a leisurely stroll down Portland Street, all the way up to Piccadilly Gardens, one of the city’s main public squares, lined with leading international fashion stores. It is here that you will realise just how diverse and international the city of Manchester is. While it does retain its identity as an old industrial town, it is now inhabited by people from around the world. And this explains its amazing food scene, with some of the best ethnic cuisines in the UK. At every corner, you will see eateries advertising everything under the sun from dim sum and phos, to curry and sashimi.
The city centre of Manchester is best enjoyed on foot, where you can amble through the many neighbourhoods, go pub hopping, shop for trinkets, walk along the river or just sit lazily at a park.
The Manchester Bee
The worker bee is the most loved symbol of Manchester, and you will encounter it almost everywhere — tattoos, lapel pins, T-shirts, artworks in restaurants or even used in the decor at hotels. Manchester’s history is closely linked to the Industrial Revolution, where the locals considered themselves as hardworking as worker bees, and they adopted this motif as a local symbol of sorts. Today, the Manchester Bee symbol is even more visible across the city as a sign of solidarity among locals.
As my train pulls into Manchester Piccadilly station, following a quick two-hour hop from London, I find myself immediately transported into another world. Everything looks so dramatically different. For starters, I notice just how urbanised downtown Manchester is. Age-old heritage buildings and warehouse-style structures coexist peacefully next to gleaming glass skyscrapers.The city centre of Manchester wears a visibly gentrified look and exudes a charming, artsy vibe. A case in point is the boho-chic Northern Quarter. Walk down Oldham Street and you will see a string of trendy bars, upscale restaurants and local neighbourhood taverns, brimming with hipsters and tourists.
Or perhaps the buzzing Exchange Square, where locals sit at sidewalk cafes and pubs, in the shadow of heritage buildings, and stare at the ultra-modern Arndale Shopping Centre.
Visitors to Manchester can and must spend time discovering the jewels of the city — step into the gothic portals of the Manchester Cathedral or John Rylands Library. Alternatively, to truly put your finger on the pulse of the city, take a leisurely stroll down Portland Street, all the way up to Piccadilly Gardens, one of the city’s main public squares, lined with leading international fashion stores. It is here that you will realise just how diverse and international the city of Manchester is. While it does retain its identity as an old industrial town, it is now inhabited by people from around the world. And this explains its amazing food scene, with some of the best ethnic cuisines in the UK. At every corner, you will see eateries advertising everything under the sun from dim sum and phos, to curry and sashimi.
The city centre of Manchester is best enjoyed on foot, where you can amble through the many neighbourhoods, go pub hopping, shop for trinkets, walk along the river or just sit lazily at a park.
Music, Art and Culture
Culture lovers will find much to do in this city. Owing to its diverse, multi-cultural demographic, the city has witnessed a massive arts and culture revolution in recent times. The Manchester Art Gallery is best enjoyed over a few hours, and features a host of international artists. The Whitworth Art Gallery boasts a staggering 60,000 pieces of art in its collection, while the Manchester Museum is definitely worth a visit to enjoy artefacts and installations, both old and new.
Another important element of Manchester’s DNA is music. It is considered as one of Europe’s music capitals, after all, is home to some of the world’s most popular artists. It was here, in 1991, that Oasis was formed. At around the same time, five boys came together in Manchester to form Take That. More recently, The Verve also owes its origins to Manchester. Synonymous with the Manchester music scene is the gargantuan Manchester Arena, which, since its opening in 1995, has seen performances by the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga, U2 and The Rolling Stones. Upcoming concerts include Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue and Cirque du Soleil.
Beyond the Manchester Arena, the city is abuzz with music concerts and festivals throughout the year. The Manchester Folk Festival in October, or Manchester’s first Silent Mosh (silent disco) in September or the self explanatory UK Drum Show in September as well, are just a few of the most awaited options.
Classical music fans from across the globe flock to Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, where the legendary BBC Philharmonic conducts its annual season performances. If you’re around Manchester in October, book tickets for their showcase of Mozart and Wagner, as well as Stravinsky, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.
Before planning your trip to Manchester, it is always a good idea to look up the city’s listings to see what’s on, and hopefully you will be able to catch a gig, during your trip.
Visit the home of Manchester United
Football fans should definitely make a pilgrimage to the iconic Old Trafford Stadium, home of Manchester’s eponymous football club. Book yourself on an Old Trafford Experience tour, where you will be taken through the stadium, walked through the tunnel towards the field or even allowed to enter the dressing rooms. Look up the website (manutd.com) for certain pre-decided dates, where some of the club’s famous players themselves conduct tours.
Our Manchester PICKS
Eat: Refuge
Arguably one of the hippest addresses in town — be sure to book in advance — this massive, cavernous restaurant in the upscale Principal hotel, was founded by two DJs-turned-restaurateurs, Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford. The space is divided into the public bar, perfect for a daytime coffee or evening drink and the dining room, where you can enjoy a meal. The menu is a selection of sharing plates, largely inspired by Asia. Try the sake-cured salmon, the lamb rump or the slow-cooked Massaman ox cheek, accompanied by portobello mushrooms, beetroot pakoras and curried sweet potatoes.
Eat: Refuge
Arguably one of the hippest addresses in town — be sure to book in advance — this massive, cavernous restaurant in the upscale Principal hotel, was founded by two DJs-turned-restaurateurs, Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford. The space is divided into the public bar, perfect for a daytime coffee or evening drink and the dining room, where you can enjoy a meal. The menu is a selection of sharing plates, largely inspired by Asia. Try the sake-cured salmon, the lamb rump or the slow-cooked Massaman ox cheek, accompanied by portobello mushrooms, beetroot pakoras and curried sweet potatoes.
Stay: The Lowry
Enjoy the chic vibe and extremely spacious rooms, on the banks of the River Irwell, at The Lowry, named after the artist L. S. Lowry. This hotel is neatly tucked away in a corner of downtown Manchester, and a short walk away from the major dining and shopping venues. The hotel exudes an artsy vibe and is dotted with installations and artworks throughout the space. Enjoy sundowners at The River Bar, overlooking the nearby river, or settle into the chaise longue in your room with a cup of coffee and a book. thelowryhotel.com
Stay: The Principal Manchester
The magnificent facade of this historic building is instantly recognisable by its clock tower. A stone’s throw from Manchester’s Piccadilly station, The Principal is in a heritage building dating back to 1890, once the headquarters of The Refuge Assurance Company. The hotel retains a lot of its original design, and its tiled walls and floors have stood the test of time, albeit impeccably restored. While the lobby has a certain old world charm, the rooms are modern and understated. phcompany.com
Drink: Cane & Grain
Step into one of Manchester’s coolest “secret” bars. A nondescript door leads you up to Cane & Grain, a speakeasy-style bar, with a quirky decor. Head to the bar where the nattily dressed bartenders will serve up a host of curiously named cocktails like the gin-based Shaun of the Dead, the whisky-based xPresso Yourself or the rum-based Zombie. Alternatively, you can ask the servers for a selection of beers, including the local brew of the month. caneandgrain.co.uk
Eat: The Bay Horse Tavern
This historic Victorian tavern on Thomas Street, is slap bang in the middle of the bohemian Northern Quarter. This tavern-cum-bar specialises in craft beer and gin cocktails. While the restaurant describes its food as a modern take on traditional English food, some of the classic favourites feature on the menu.The pies are a must-try, while the traditional fish and chips are not to be missed. If you drop in on a Sunday, you can enjoy a traditional English roast meal, washed down by a Bloody Mary or a G&T. thebayhorsetavern.co.uk
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