Diverse, energetic and bursting with character, Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK. Here is how you can discover a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measure.
Woman standing next to clothes rack, Cow Clothing, 61 Church St, Manchester, England, UK.
Travel in style
Choose a Virgin First Class from London to Manchester and back. Once you are settled in your designer armchairs you can enjoy free WiFi, onboard entertainment and get lost in a world of movies, TV and more. Later, tuck into the sumptuous First Class menus that feature locally-sourced British meat, sustainably-sourced fish and other hand-picked goodies.
Sports Aficionados, rejoice!
Take a tour of the Manchester United Stadium and discover the story behind one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world and see inside the spectacular 76,000-seat stadium. The tour also includes access to the museum, in which state-of-the-art interactive experiences stand alongside historical memorabilia and the club’s stunning haul of silverware from competitions and tournaments going back generations. Discover the tales of the many famous players including Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Denis Law, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, and Wayne Rooney. Find out about the many outstanding managers including Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, and have your photo taken with the trophies. The stadium tour lasts for I hour and 20 minutes and includes the players’ dressing room, and the chance to appear from the players’ tunnel into the “Theatre of Dreams.” The tour promises that even the most hardcore supporters will learn something new on this in-depth, entertaining and informative stadium tour. Later, take The Manchester City Stadium and Club Tour and get a behind-the-scenes showcase of the inner workings of the football club , including the Press Conference room, The Tunnel Club – the first of its kind in world football, The Away dressing room, Home Team dressing room,The First Team warm-up area, Players Tunnel,Post Match interview, and more. This 90-minute tour with a professional guide will bring each area to life with interesting anecdotes. At the end of the tour, you will receive an official club lanyard and map of the Etihad Campus as a souvenir.
Retail therapy and Rejuvenating Spa
If you fancy some retail therapy, stop by Selfridges that houses the world’s most sought-after luxury brands and hottest designers. If you are visiting later this year, you can enjoy a huge line-up of seasonal events and exciting in-store entertainment in the run-up to Christmas, including the all-pink Gucci’s latest accessories collection, and thrilling activities for kids. Harvey Nichols is another shopping stop if you are looking to shop for your new season look and wardrobe. It boasts the best of what’s hot in fashion including leading luxury brands such as Dolce and Gabbana, Givenchy and Christian Louboutin. Spinningfields is another exciting shopping destination with luxury international fashion brands. Later, take a break from shopping and head to Spa Satori and choose from its extensive list of treatments including the ‘Ultimate Stress Relief’ Massage, Hot Volcanic Stones, balancing Reflexology, detoxing Colonic Hydrotherapy, 100% Organic Eminence Facials, among others. Relax in tranquil and lavish surroundings and leave feeling rejuvenated.
Get a dose of culture
The Northern Quarter in Manchester retains a unique character and charm, and it is home to countless independent fashion stores, record shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants and the world famous Afflecks Palace. You must stop by the Retro Rehab – a vintage clothing boutique that offers gorgeous and unique vintage and hand-tailored clothes and accessories; the Manchester Craft & Design Centre, that has an array of artist-run studios offering the best in local design, jewelry, bags, and accessories. Try Café Pop, an antique shop with a small downstairs café, and Oklahoma, a bazaar of all things quirky and delightful including presents, homeware, and a quaint eatery. For those on the hunt for vintage vinyl and independent music, check out the different record shops along Oldham Street such as Piccadilly Records, Eastern Bloc, and Vinyl Exchange. Besides shopping, try Odd Bar for continental beers, Ziferblat for an “anti-café” experience, The Bay Horse for a pool table, Trof for a relaxed atmosphere and Mint Lounge for dancing the night away. Try the Frog and Bucket that takes pride in developing some of the best comic talents on the circuit. Then there is a Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA) that aims to make Chinese contemporary art and visual culture open to everyone through a series of exhibitions, film screenings, talks, performances, and workshops. Generation POP Gallery, Richard Goodall Gallery are other places to visit in the Northern Quarter.
Food lover’s paradise
Enjoy a wide range of cuisine in Manchester. For Indian food lovers, you can visit Zouk or Mowgli and tuck into some sumptuous kebabs and chaats. For a more sophisticated experience where authenticity meets the modern gaúcho, visit the Fazenda Rodizio Bar and Grill and enjoy an array of traditional hot and cold dishes, fresh vegetables, salads, cured meats, continental cheeses, and other options to accompany your meal. At Mackie Mayor opt for mouthwatering pizzas made in a custom-made Neapolitan style wood-fired oven from Honest Crust or a meaty dish from Tender Cow or a Bao from Baohouse or Pulled Chicken Sarnie from Nationale 7 or freshly caught fish cooked whole over chargrill from Fin Fish Bar. A visit to Manchester is incomplete without experiencing an opulent and elegant afternoon tea experience at The Midland’s Tea Room.
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