Guidebook for Manchester
Drinks & Nightlife
The Printworks entertainment complex and the surrounding area is one of the most popular night spots in Manchester city centre. Located around Exchange Square and labelled 'The Millennium Quarter' following its rebuild after the 1996 IRA bomb destroyed many of the original buildings, it's now an area full of pubs, bars, restaurants and designer stores. The main attraction is The Printworks itself, a converted newspaper printers packed with large bars, huge night clubs, chain restaurants and a giant IMAX cinema. With over 150,000 revellers visiting the Printworks each week, it's one of the most vibrant areas in Manchester.
15 locals recommend
The Printworks
27 Withy GroveThe Printworks entertainment complex and the surrounding area is one of the most popular night spots in Manchester city centre. Located around Exchange Square and labelled 'The Millennium Quarter' following its rebuild after the 1996 IRA bomb destroyed many of the original buildings, it's now an area full of pubs, bars, restaurants and designer stores. The main attraction is The Printworks itself, a converted newspaper printers packed with large bars, huge night clubs, chain restaurants and a giant IMAX cinema. With over 150,000 revellers visiting the Printworks each week, it's one of the most vibrant areas in Manchester.
Sightseeing
Albert Square is a public square in the centre of Manchester, England. It is dominated by its largest building, the Grade I listed Manchester Town Hall, a Victorian Gothic building by Alfred Waterhouse. Other smaller buildings from the same period surround it, many of which are listed (the buildings on the north side are in Princess Street). The square contains a number of monuments and statues, the largest of which is the Albert Memorial, a monument to Prince Albert, Prince consort of Queen Victoria. The square, named after the Prince, was laid out to provide a space for the memorial in 1863–67. Work on the town hall began in 1868 and was completed in 1877.
26 locals recommend
Albert Square
Albert SquareAlbert Square is a public square in the centre of Manchester, England. It is dominated by its largest building, the Grade I listed Manchester Town Hall, a Victorian Gothic building by Alfred Waterhouse. Other smaller buildings from the same period surround it, many of which are listed (the buildings on the north side are in Princess Street). The square contains a number of monuments and statues, the largest of which is the Albert Memorial, a monument to Prince Albert, Prince consort of Queen Victoria. The square, named after the Prince, was laid out to provide a space for the memorial in 1863–67. Work on the town hall began in 1868 and was completed in 1877.
Manchester Cathedral has been centre stage in its city’s history for nearly 600 years. In 1421 Henry V signed a royal charter granting permission for a collegiate church to be built.
In 1847 a new Manchester diocese was created and this historic church became a Cathedral.
This Grade I listed masterpiece has not only provided a stage on which the city of Manchester’s compelling history has been played out but also provided some of the leading actors for this narrative. Century after century the stone walls have survived wars and bombings, Henry VIII’s reformation and Queen Elizabeth I’s spy, witnessed the birth of the world’s anti-slavery movement and lived the Industrial Revolution.
86 locals recommend
Manchester Cathedral
Victoria StreetManchester Cathedral has been centre stage in its city’s history for nearly 600 years. In 1421 Henry V signed a royal charter granting permission for a collegiate church to be built.
In 1847 a new Manchester diocese was created and this historic church became a Cathedral.
This Grade I listed masterpiece has not only provided a stage on which the city of Manchester’s compelling history has been played out but also provided some of the leading actors for this narrative. Century after century the stone walls have survived wars and bombings, Henry VIII’s reformation and Queen Elizabeth I’s spy, witnessed the birth of the world’s anti-slavery movement and lived the Industrial Revolution.
Arts & Culture
For those who set eyes on Deansgate's The John Rylands Library for the first time, 'library' might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. When John Rylands died in 1888, he was one of Manchester's most successful industrialists with a personal fortune of £2.75million. The library was commissioned in 1890 by his wife Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her late husband. This world class collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment.
107 locals recommend
The John Rylands Library
150 DeansgateFor those who set eyes on Deansgate's The John Rylands Library for the first time, 'library' might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. When John Rylands died in 1888, he was one of Manchester's most successful industrialists with a personal fortune of £2.75million. The library was commissioned in 1890 by his wife Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her late husband. This world class collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment.
Experience the world’s greatest sport at the National Football Museum. Whether you’re a football fanatic, planning a visit with your family or on a weekend break to the great city of Manchester, we want you to enjoy your visit to the world’s biggest and best football museum. Admission is FREE; or make your visit even more memorable by buying credits for our Football Plus+ experiences! The museum is a registered charity and we welcome donations to support our work, sharing 150 years of football heritage. The suggested donation is £3, but buying Football Plus credits, or spending whatever you can in our shop and cafe all helps the museum.
174 locals recommend
National Football Museum
Todd StreetExperience the world’s greatest sport at the National Football Museum. Whether you’re a football fanatic, planning a visit with your family or on a weekend break to the great city of Manchester, we want you to enjoy your visit to the world’s biggest and best football museum. Admission is FREE; or make your visit even more memorable by buying credits for our Football Plus+ experiences! The museum is a registered charity and we welcome donations to support our work, sharing 150 years of football heritage. The suggested donation is £3, but buying Football Plus credits, or spending whatever you can in our shop and cafe all helps the museum.
Shopping
New Cathedral Street is a pedestrianised retail street in Manchester city centre, England. It runs between Exchange Square and Exchange Street (off St Mary's Gate, Manchester). The street is home to the Manchester branch of Marks and Spencer and Selfridges (east side), and Harvey Nichols, the largest Ted Baker and Hugo Boss stores outside London, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Reiss, Henri Lloyd, Massimo, Zara and Burberry (west side). The street and buildings that stand today were all built as part of the rebuilding since the 1996 IRA bombing of the city centre. The block of buildings to the west are on the site of the former Victoria Street and Victoria Buildings which were aligned different.
New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral StreetNew Cathedral Street is a pedestrianised retail street in Manchester city centre, England. It runs between Exchange Square and Exchange Street (off St Mary's Gate, Manchester). The street is home to the Manchester branch of Marks and Spencer and Selfridges (east side), and Harvey Nichols, the largest Ted Baker and Hugo Boss stores outside London, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Reiss, Henri Lloyd, Massimo, Zara and Burberry (west side). The street and buildings that stand today were all built as part of the rebuilding since the 1996 IRA bombing of the city centre. The block of buildings to the west are on the site of the former Victoria Street and Victoria Buildings which were aligned different.
The Manchester Arndale known as the Arndale Centre to many locals is one of the biggest shopping centres in the UK. Over 200 stores spread over two levels. The centre is completely covered by boasts three large squares; Winter Garden, Square Exchange, and Halle Square Find a huge selection of exciting shops from the leading high street names such as Apple, Next, River Island, Topshop and Wallis to lots of smaller, stylish specialists and food outlets - and all under one roof.
79 locals recommend
Arndale Centre
The Manchester Arndale known as the Arndale Centre to many locals is one of the biggest shopping centres in the UK. Over 200 stores spread over two levels. The centre is completely covered by boasts three large squares; Winter Garden, Square Exchange, and Halle Square Find a huge selection of exciting shops from the leading high street names such as Apple, Next, River Island, Topshop and Wallis to lots of smaller, stylish specialists and food outlets - and all under one roof.
Entertainment & Activities
Manchester Arena is Europe's largest and most impressive indoor concert venue with a staggering 1.2 million customers every year. Voted International Venue of the Year, 2002 and officially the Busiest Concert Venue in the World in 2004, the Manchester Arena hosts a wide range of entertainment from rock, pop and classical music concerts to family shows and world class sporting events. This year artists such as Green Day, Drake, Ed Sheraan, Lady Gaga, among others are performing in the Arena. The Arena is situated at and on Victoria railway station. It is on the north side of the city centre, and is well signposted on all major road routes into the city.
96 locals recommend
AO Arena
Hunts BankManchester Arena is Europe's largest and most impressive indoor concert venue with a staggering 1.2 million customers every year. Voted International Venue of the Year, 2002 and officially the Busiest Concert Venue in the World in 2004, the Manchester Arena hosts a wide range of entertainment from rock, pop and classical music concerts to family shows and world class sporting events. This year artists such as Green Day, Drake, Ed Sheraan, Lady Gaga, among others are performing in the Arena. The Arena is situated at and on Victoria railway station. It is on the north side of the city centre, and is well signposted on all major road routes into the city.
Getting Around
Manchester Victoria railway station in Manchester, England is the city's second largest mainline railway station and one of nine Metrolink tram stops within the city zone. The station predominantly hosts local and regional services to destinations in Northern England, such as Rochdale, Bradford, Leeds, Newcastle, Huddersfield, Wigan, Southport, Blackpool and Liverpool using the original Liverpool to Manchester line. Most trains calling at Victoria are operated by Northern, except for TransPennine Express services from Liverpool to Newcastle. Manchester Victoria is also a major interchange of the Metrolink light rail system. Redevelopment included a new walk way to the Manchester Arena.
41 locals recommend
Victoria Station
Manchester Victoria railway station in Manchester, England is the city's second largest mainline railway station and one of nine Metrolink tram stops within the city zone. The station predominantly hosts local and regional services to destinations in Northern England, such as Rochdale, Bradford, Leeds, Newcastle, Huddersfield, Wigan, Southport, Blackpool and Liverpool using the original Liverpool to Manchester line. Most trains calling at Victoria are operated by Northern, except for TransPennine Express services from Liverpool to Newcastle. Manchester Victoria is also a major interchange of the Metrolink light rail system. Redevelopment included a new walk way to the Manchester Arena.