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Manchester

Visited in April 2008

At a glance

Region
Manchester
Population
547,627
Best time to go
May to September
Main airport
Manchester (MAN)
Coordinates
53.48°N, 2.25°W

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Overview

Manchester was the world's first industrial city, and its cotton mills, canals and Victorian warehouses now house galleries, bars and some of the best independent food in the north of England.

This is the city of the Hacienda, Oasis and two great football clubs, and it wears its music and sporting heritage with pride. The centre is compact enough to walk, and the Peak District is under an hour away by train.

Things to see

  • John Rylands Library
    Photo: Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0

    John Rylands Library

    A neo-Gothic cathedral of books on Deansgate, with a vaulted reading room that looks straight out of Hogwarts.

  • Science and Industry Museum
    Photo: Science Museum Group, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Science and Industry Museum

    Set in the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station, with working textile machinery and steam engines.

  • Manchester Art Gallery
    Photo: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Manchester Art Gallery

    Pre-Raphaelite paintings, decorative arts and changing exhibitions, free to enter in the city centre.

  • People's History Museum
    Photo: Bernard Randall, CC BY-SA 3.0

    People's History Museum

    The national museum of democracy, telling the story of protest, trade unions and votes for women.

  • Old Trafford
    Photo: Arne Müseler from Salzburg, AT, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Old Trafford

    Manchester United's stadium, the Theatre of Dreams, with museum and behind-the-scenes tours on non-match days.

    Tickets and tours

Things to do

  • Wander the Northern Quarter
    Photo: Michael Ashton, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Wander the Northern Quarter

    Record shops, vintage stores, street art and cosy bars fill the old warehouse streets around Stevenson Square.

  • Eat in Ancoats
    Photo: Matt from Manchester, England, CC BY 2.0

    Eat in Ancoats

    Restored mills along the Rochdale Canal now hold bakeries, wine bars and some of the city's most talked-about restaurants.

  • Catch a gig
    Photo: Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0

    Catch a gig

    From tiny basement venues to the Albert Hall, a converted Methodist chapel, there's live music most nights.

    Find tours
  • Day trip to the Peak District
    Photo: Stemonitis at English Wikipedia, Public domain

    Day trip to the Peak District

    Trains to Edale take about 45 minutes, putting the moors of Kinder Scout within reach.

Where to stay

Getting around

The Metrolink tram network links the centre with Salford Quays, Old Trafford and the airport; you can tap in with a contactless card. The centre itself is easily walkable.

Trains from Manchester Airport reach Piccadilly in about 20 minutes, and the Metrolink also serves the airport. Direct trains from London Euston take around two hours.

When to go

Summer (May to September) is the most pleasant, with outdoor terraces and festivals, though Manchester's reputation for rain is earned. Winter brings Christmas markets across the centre.

Plan your trip to Manchester

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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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