A guide to Manchester

Situated in north west England, Manchester is seen by many as the 'capital' of the north of England. This vibrant and exciting city is famous for its music, sport and popular culture and is definitely somewhere to visit if you are looking for great places to eat, stay and no shortage of things to do.

History

There are plenty of buildings and museums to provide you with an insight into Manchester's history including Manchester Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Manchester Museum which is situated within Manchester University. The Castlefield area is an original Roman settlement and now an Urban Heritage site so is also worth a visit.

Sport

For those who are passionate about sport then it is worth visiting some of the sporting 'landmarks' that the city has to offer. Based at Old Trafford are Manchester United as well as Lancashire County Cricket Club while Manchester City have their stadium within the Sport City complex which was constructed for the Commonwealth Games in 2002. This site also boasts a world class velodrome.

Cosmopolitan

If you would prefer to experience all the cultural and ethnic diversity that Manchester has to offer then located within the city centre is Manchester's famous Gay Village. This area is home to some of the city's most famous clubs and bars as well as some great restaurants. In addition, other areas such as Chinatown and Rusholme offer a great insight into other cultures.

The cosmopolitan nature of this city can also be seen in the shopping. From designer boutiques to large high street names and department stores to indoor markets, Manchester has them all and more.

Culture

The cosmopolitan nature of Manchester is also evident in the city's cultural venues. As well as museums such as the Imperial War Museum North and the Museum of Science and Industry, there are multi-purpose media venues such as The Lowry and The Cornerhouse as well as traditional art galleries such as The Whitworth and a wide variety of theatres and music venues such as The Royal Exchange and the MEN Arena.

Places to eat

As you would expect in a large city, Manchester has a wide range of places to eat which will suit every taste and budget, from traditional Chinese food in Chinatown or curry on the Curry Mile in Rusholme, to branches of familiar chain restaurants. There are also many restaurants offering a fine dining experience as well as those that offer experience of other cultures away from the traditional Chinese or Indian.

Places to stay

Whether you plan to stay for one night or more on your visit to Manchester, the city has many types of accommodation to suit every sort of pocket. You can choose between youth hostels or the freedom of a serviced apartment, or if you want to splash out then you could opt for one of the city's luxury 4 star hotels.

Getting around

Getting around the city is relatively easy on foot, but other options include the Metrolink tram system which brings people into the city from places such as Bury to the north and Altrincham to the south. Alternatively, taxis are available and are handy for those late night journeys.