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Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, post-industrial gem at the heart of North West England. The city that used to be nicknamed 'Cottonopolis' (a reference to its most famous export) has hung up its clogs and, thanks to successive regeneration projects, is now a major centre for culture and commerce; seen by many as the capital of the north of England, and sometimes regarded as England's second city.

See
38
Do
25
Eat
50
Drink
41
Buy
4

10 places match

  1. DoUniversities

    HOME

    Greater Manchester Arts Centre

    Manchester's contemporary arts and film centre with five cinema screens & two theatres. Daily showings of independent & foreign language films and gallery space. The centre also houses a cafe-bar and a restaurant. Film prices are cheaper before 5pm on weekdays & 3pm at weekends. Foreign language films are shown with English subtitles. The building is fully accessible.

    Mon-Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-11PM

  2. SeeSpinningfields-Albert Square

    John Rylands Library

    After closing for refurbishment, the John Rylands Library is now open to the public. It now has access to all floors and a new entrance and cafe to the side of the building on Spinningfields. The John Rylands library is a beautifully-dark Gothic archive bang in the middle of the new business district. It is home to a number of special collections, many of which are now on display including the celebrated St. Johns Fragment, Papyrus P52 — possibly the oldest piece of the New Testament in existence. The library's magnificent Reading Room has been opened up so visitors are free to wander around it. There is also an exhibition floor which shows off some of the jewels of the collection. Don't confuse this library with John Rylands University Library, which is the library at the university and is not at all interesting (or open) to tourists.

    Sun Mon noon-5PM, Tue-Sat 10AM-5PMfree

  3. DoPiccadilly-East Centre

    Piccadilly Gardens

    Relax and watch the world go by in Piccadilly Gardens - the lung at the centre of the city. The Gardens are also home to the controversial concrete 'Berlin Wall', which houses cafés and seating.

    Free

  4. SeeVictoria-Shopping District

    Royal Exchange

    The neo-classical Royal Exchange was the commercial heart of Manchester's and therefore the world's cotton trade. The main trading hall, essentially a neo-Roman basilica, was at one time the largest commercial room in the world. It fell into disuse in the 1960s, but was rescued in the 1970s by the restoration of the building and the addition of an ultra-modern theatre in-the-round for Sir Robert D.H. Scott's '69 (now Royal Exchange) theatre Company. It stands in the centre of the main trading floor, squatting like an alien invader's spaceship, but is actually supported on the hall's load bearing columns. Ill-disposed members of the audience sitting in the theatre's surrounding on-stage banquette seats are well-placed to trip the actors up physically. Extensive wine merchant cellars have now been converted into a shopping centre and the wings surrounding the theatre hall contain offices and Barristers' chambers. Pop in during the day for a coffee or something stronger at the tranquil and elegant licensed cafe in the main hall: the entrance is up the stairs in St. Ann's Square or on Cross Street. As well as the wonderfully-restored interior and three dramatic coloured-glass domes, you can admire the trading board, which still shows the price of cotton around the world on the last day of trading in 1969. There is also a small, expensive craft shop inside.

    Mon-Sat 9:30AM-late (depending on length of evening's performance)Free entry to theatre building, theatre tickets vary

  5. DrinkCastlefield-Petersfield

    Society

    Bar run by the Vocation brewery featuring a large choice of craft beers with a shared food space. Also Cocktail & wine bar. Coffee is available.

    Sun-Thu 11AM-11:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-12:30AM

  6. EatUniversities

    The Eighth Day Cafe

    Veggie & Vegan food in the cafe situated in the basement of the shop.

    Mon-Sat 11AM-3PM

  7. SeeCastlefield-Petersfield Not mapped

    Bridgewater Hall

    Manchester's main classical music venue is a stunning musically-inspired building dating from 1996. It is home to the world-famous Hallé orchestra and boasts an enormous 5500-pipe organ across the whole of one wall. The building is also home to a cafe and restaurant.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-8PM, Sat noon-6PMFree entry to building

  8. EatUniversities Not mapped

    Home

    First floor restaurant in arts centre with good food choice including several Vegan/Veggie dishes. Takeaway food (that can be eaten in) is available in the ground floor cafe bar. A great place to eat when seeing a film or show, (see entry in Do).

    Mon-Sat 12-21:45 Sun 12-20:45£10-£18 for a main course

  9. DrinkPiccadilly-East Centre Not mapped

    Manna Manchester

    Nice little café with friendly staff on the edge of the landscaped garden. Serves good coffee, sandwiches, drinks, and sweet things. Everything here is both Fair trade and organic, so feel good when you go there!

    Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM, Sun 10AM-5PM

  10. DrinkPiccadilly-East Centre

    Molly House

    Bar & cafe with a good reputation for food.

    Sun-Tue noon-midnight, Wed Thu noon-1AM, Fri Sat noon-2AM. Food: noon-8PM