Manchester

St. Ann's Square· Free

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.

Deansgate· Free

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.

Freebus 1, Rail Deansgate. Metrolink Deansgate-Castlefield· Free

This is a great museum for those interested in technology and industrial heritage: sited at one end of the world's first passenger railway line. The working cotton weaving machines are particularly worth experiencing.

Cathedral Yard (Visitor Centre at 10 Cateaton Street, around the corner). Cathedral M-F 8AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-5PM, Su 8:30AM-7:30PM, check website for service times and events; Visitor Centre is open M-Sa 10AM-4:30PM, Su 11:30AM-4PM.

Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ· Free

This award-winning modern building contains two theatres and a large art gallery, with many works by L.S. Lowry (1887-1976). When he was 22 his family moved from a leafy suburb to Pendlebury, an industrial district of Salford; he detested…

go through an ugly concrete building in Lincoln Square — it really is the hidden gem· Free

This little traditional Catholic church dates from 1794, making it the oldest purpose-built post-Reformation Catholic church in England. It is an active church, with the largest congregation of any of the city-centre churches in…

Mosley Street· Free

The principal wing is the work of Sir Charles Barry, also architect of the House of Parliament. Manchester's central art gallery is home to a huge collection of 19th-century and earlier works, including paintings by Canaletto, Constable…

Albert Square

This imposing and beautiful neo-Gothic masterpiece by Alfred Waterhouse is the official headquarters of the Manchester City Council, but its job is largely ceremonial now.

Oxford Road, M13 9PL

Manchester University's own museum is like a mini version of London's Natural History Museum and boasts real dinosaur skeletons (including Stan the T-Rex), Egyptian mummies, and architect Alfred Waterhouse's huge taxidermy collection…

close to Manchester Victoria National Rail & Metrolink· Cheap

Based in the visually striking glass sloping Urbis building designed by Ian Simpson Architects. England's only national museum for football (aka soccer) is spread over six floors. Museum café near exit.

Old Trafford, Sir Matt Busby Way, Stretford M16 0RA

United plays soccer in the Premier League, England's top tier. The stadium has a capacity of 75,000, and sells out against top-calibre opposition, such as the other big names in English football (especially Liverpool and Leeds United), and…

entrances on Withy Grove and Thomas Street

Attraction opening times vary. Originally the home of Manchester's newspaper offices, the Printworks is now a covered street where it's night time all day long.

off Whitworth Street West

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.

Tram to Old Trafford

Lancashire CCC were relegated in 2024 and now play in Division Two of the County Championship. Test matches (5-day internationals) are also played here.

2 miles east of Piccadilly railway station, take tram to Etihad Campus

City play soccer in the Premier League, England's top tier, and since 2013 have overtaken old rivals Man United. Their home ground is Etihad Stadium, capacity 55,000. It has a museum and a stadium tour, adultsconchours as above.

National Rail and Metrolink: Victoria

The largest indoor arena in Europe (21,000 capacity) hosts most of the world's most famous music and comedy acts, plus theatre and international boxing.

Ski on a 180-m artificial snow slope for skiing and snowboarding.

The Village hosts a major pride festival every year when the whole region of town is closed to the public for an expensive and exclusive weekend for gay and gay-friendly people from all over the UK.

· Moderate

Tour of the stadium facilities, plus museum of the club's history from its 1878 founding as Newton Heath, through the managerial eras of Busby and Ferguson, and a glittering cast of players.

This big complex was developed for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Its main components are Manchester City football stadium (now the Etihad), the Regional Athletics Arena, the National Squash Centre, and the National Cycling Centre which…

3 Newton Street, M1 1HW

A 100% vegan take-away just outside of Picadilly Gardens. Serves freshly prepared falafel wraps, hummous and a choice of fruit juices, smoothies and salads.

64 Tib St, M4 1LW

Good little tucked away jazz club. Also serves up good pizza. They have jazz bands every night except Mondays (when it's closed) at 10PM. There is free entry before 8PM.

73 Rochdale Road, Collyhurst, M4 4HY

Spectacular Victorian show-pub with beer from local Marble brewery. Inside, the pub has a high, glazed ceiling, ceramic walls and a bar that slopes down with the hill. Great beer & food makes the walk here worthwhile.

6 Angel Street, M4 4BQ

A traditional English pub just off the Rochdale road, Manchester city centre. The pub serves real ales, fine wines and highly acclaimed food prepared by award winning celebrity chef Robert Owen Brown.

in the Arndale Market and Food court· Moderate

Set around a sushi counter, this eatery serves a variety of mainstream Cantonese (Hong Kong), Thai, and Japanese dishes. The Hong Kong style roasting dishes are particularly good value and well-made.

43 Liverpool Road

Modernised traditional pub, although it does feature on its walls an interesting aerial photograph of pre-developed Castlefield. Soundtrack of soul and funk with congenial staff set it apart from the others.

18-24 Princess Street, M1 4LY· Expensive

A modern hotel inside a fine old building with restored façade. Rooms are reasonably spacious for the UK, bathrooms modern and there is air conditioning.

just across Manchester Piccadilly train station· Expensive

The hotel has 285 rooms and suites, some of them with French windows. It offers free Wi-Fi, non-smoking rooms, an on-site restaurant, fitness centre, concierge, room service and 16 meeting rooms.

36 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 4JY

Aparthotel housed in a Grade II listed cotton warehouse, with high ceilings, long windows, soaring interior spaces and grand Victorian character.

Potato Wharf, Castlefield, M3 4NB· Pricey

Boasting views across the canal, this no frills hostel is centrally located with easy access to Castlefield and the city centre. It offers a game room, TV, cafe and restaurant, guest kitchen, laundry, internet access, and parking…

1-3 Cathedral Gates, M3 1SW· Expensive

In the heart of the shopping district in Shambles Square, moments from the Arndale Centre and Victoria station, the Mitre Hotel offers pleasant accommodation in a period building. En-suite and shared bathroom tariffs available.

23 Talbot Road, Old Trafford M16 0PE· Expensive

Great location near Old Trafford football ground on transport routes into the city, gets booked out for big matches. Tatty hotel which is halfway through a much needed refurbishment.