The Northern Powerhouse isn’t just a title—it’s a way of life in Manchester, a city that brings together grit, glamour, and an undeniable charm. Beyond Old Trafford and the Trafford Centre (yes, they’re worth the hype), Manchester is a great place to visit and offers something for everyone.
Table of contents
About Manchester
Manchester has long been hailed as the heart of the North and it is proudly England’s second city. It was the birthplace of Britpop thanks to Oasis and it also bore The Smiths, and Joy Division. Beyond music, Manchester has become one of the UKs premier sporting cities. It saw Sir Alex Ferguson take Man Utd to glory, Man City buy the title (ducks) and boasts one of the best Cricket grounds in the United Kingdom in Headingly. Manchester is not only a cultural powerhouse, reflected in the recent arrival of Media City, but it saw huge political movements. Emmeline Pankhurst was proud to call Manchester her home, and the Peterloo Massacre which took place in the city was a defining moment in eighteenth-century politics.
The landscape of Manchester was built on the back of the Industrial Revolution. This transformed the city from a market town into a global powerhouse in textiles. The red-brick mills and canal networks that weave through the city are reminders of Manchester’s past and its role as a trailblazer in industry, innovation, and social change.
About our trips:
We travelled: by Car
We stayed: Hotel ABode* and Travelodge Trafford Park
We ate: everything, but the highlight was Hawksmoor
Getting around Manchester
Manchester is in the middle of expanding its Bee Network which encompasses buses, local trains and trams. The system is designed to take the best of the London transport system. For visitors to Manchester, the changes in public transport have made the city even easier to navigate. Manchester now has a simple pricing model for public transport, you only need to use one app to navigate all forms of transport and it is easy to pay.
The city centre in Manchester is easy to walk around, but to see things like the Trafford Centre you need to take public transport or drive.
What to do in Manchester
Media City
In the 2000s, the BBC made a major move, relocating many of its productions from London to MediaCity in Salford. This relocation wasn’t just about cutting costs (though Manchester is significantly cheaper on everything from rent to a cappuccino); it was a strategic step to create a more balanced, inclusive British media landscape. By moving to the North, the BBC shed some of its ‘London bubble’ image, rooting itself in Manchester’s diverse culture.
Today MediaCity is a creative hub. BBC tours let you peek behind the scenes of popular programs, while Channel 4 and ITV are just around the corner. And if you’re a fan of British soaps, you’ll be excited to know that the iconic set of Coronation Street* (the world’s longest-running soap opera) is open to visitors—giving you the chance to walk those famous cobbled streets yourself.
Treat yourself to a walking tour* to learn more about MediaCity.
Exploring art in Manchester
Manchester’s art scene is a highlight for many visitors. It is a blend of contemporary and classic art, with galleries and public art displays that capture the city’s creative spirit. Highlights for visitors to Manchester include the Whitworth Art Gallery, where modern art meets a beautiful park setting, and the Manchester Art Gallery, where you’ll find an impressive collection of Pre-Raphaelite works alongside contemporary exhibits.
One gem of Manchester’s art scene is The Lowry. This is an iconic gallery and theatre complex located in Salford Quays. The gallery is named after the renowned artist L.S. Lowry. He is famous for his distinct portrayals of Northern industrial life and the gallery is home to the largest public collection of his works. Lowry’s paintings are miserable. They use matchstick men and a hue of grey to capture the unique spirit and grit of Northern England’s industrial era. If you’re into history, the Lowry is a must-visit in Manchester. The way in which Lowry depicts working class history and culture is one of a kind.
Visit the People’s History Museum
I knew I would either love or hate the People’s History Museum. On a visit to Manchester, it is firmly a must-visit for me. I am not a huge trade unionist, so I was worried the museum would be preachy. However, the museum manages to educate you about this side of the city without trying to convert you to a cause.
Over three floors, you can explore Manchester’s proud history of social movements and activism. Exhibits spotlight everything from workers’ rights to women’s suffrage, giving you a sense of the city’s resilient spirit and commitment to progress.
The museum is free to visit and has a lot of interactive exhibitions which are good for big and small kids!
We visited about 4 days before the UK Labour Party secured a landslide victory in the 2024 election, so there was an exhibition there
Manchester’s John Rylands Library: a free find for visitors
If you are visiting Manchester, the University Library is a must for history lovers or people who enjoy architecture. Equally, if you just want a quiet hour, the University Library is perfect.
The library is home to the John Rylands Library, a breathtaking neo-Gothic masterpiece that feels like you are stepping into a cathedral of knowledge. It was completed in 1900 and founded by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband. The library holds one of the most remarkable book collections in the UK. This includes medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and even a fragment of the earliest known New Testament text, the St John’s Fragment.
The library has a wonderful selection of stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and an enviable reading room that is both peaceful and grand. Not only is the John Rylands library beautiful, but it often has highly thought-provoking exhibitions which will challenge you.
Stop at Manchester Cathedral
It’s a quick stop, but worth it for the organ (pictured below) alone. Manchester Cathedral is right next to the National Football Museum and dates back to the late fifteenth century. It boasts Gothic architecture and is famous for having the widest nave of any Cathedral in the UK.
The Cathedral is free to go around, and provides a calm break from the bustle of the rest of the city.
Celebrate the Religion of Football
The National Football Museum
Football isn’t just a sport in Manchester—it’s a way of life. You cannot really visit Manchester without doing something to do with football. You don’t need to be a die-hard supporter of Manchester United or a fan of Manchester City* to enjoy a trip to one of the city’s famous stadiums. If you don’t enjoy the premier league but prefer to learn about the game overall, the National Football Museum* in the city centre offers a more neutral experience. It celebrates the beautiful game and its history without forcing you to pick a side.
Visit the home of Manchester United at Old Trafford
So I’ve actually been to Old Trafford twice now – to just the museum and to the museum and tour combo. Both are fab (and by this, I mean interesting even if you don’t really care about Man Utd).
Shopping
The Trafford Centre
If shopping is on your agenda, brace yourself for The Trafford Centre—a surreal, must-see retail experience. It’s more than a mall; it’s a fantastical blend of themed décor, complete with faux-Egyptian statues, a painted ceiling that mimics the sky, and random homages to places as far-flung as New Orleans. It’s over-the-top, a bit chaotic, and absolutely unique. The only thing which I can compare it to is Las Vegas.
The Northern Quarter
For something more local, head into the Northern Quarter. Here you’ll find vintage shops, quirky boutiques, and record stores that make it feel like an indie paradise. Perfect for discovering unique finds or souvenirs that capture Manchester’s alternative spirit.
The Arndale Centre
If you want something more mainstream, then the Arndale Centre is a shoppers paradise. It’s bang in the centre of town and is a sprawling shopping centre which takes in all of your high street favourites.
Where to eat in Manchester
The best meal I had in Manchester was by far at Hawksmoor – a small UK chain of exceptional steak restaurants. I really wanted to have breakfast in Moose Coffee, but it was so busy we couldn’t get a look in, so went for Brasserie Abode instead.
One of the better places to eat in Manchester is actually the Trafford Centre. The food court has a really good range of chain restaurants of different price points.
Alternatively if you fancy a curry, one of the best I’ve had was in Didsbury.
Save ‘making the most of Manchester’ for later
Leave a Reply