Photo credit: Bridges via photopin (license)
We all know that Manchester does not exactly attract as many tourists as other cities in Britain, such as London and Edinburgh, and also other small towns that are characterized by monuments or historical atmosphere. But during your sightseeing trip in Britain, Manchester may become a transitional stage, for example, if you use the airport to fly to Britain or if you go to study or work and live there.
In these cases, you’ll probably want to know what attractions are in Manchester. Therefore, here I will give some basic tips for visiting Manchester, after the visit I had the chance to do a couple of years ago.
- Manchester airport is one of the best in Britain. Low cost airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet can be used to fly there. The airport is located near the city which allows you to reach Manchester quickly and without the cost of transport. The option to go by train from the airport to Manchester is certainly highly recommended. From the airport station there are trains every 5-10 minutes that will take you to the central station of Piccadilly.
- Manchester is a city that has a long industrial tradition, especially textile mills, but the crisis through the years led to the process of urban restructuring.
The old industrial areas have been remodelled, and have become occupied by cultural centres, parks or businesses with very modern buildings. The result is a curious combination of the old industrial environment with the atmosphere of a cultural city with great animation.
- Contrary to what you might think, Manchester is not a very big city. Most of the attractions can be found in the centre. When you visit the attractions you will find most of them are in the centre, so one day may be enough to see everything perfectly.
- Your sightseeing tour of Manchester will take you to one of the main areas called Deansgate, in the western part of the city, which runs almost parallel to the river Irwell. In the environment of the street, in the southwest, you should not miss the curious Castlefield area near the foot of the Hilton Tower, the skyscraper icon of Manchester.
Photo credit: Manchester – Castlefield in Spring via photopin (license)
It will be very pleasant to stroll on a sunny day in Castlefield canals and see the bridges, grasslands and the archaeological remains of a fort and a barn from the Roman times. In this area you will also find a very interesting Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), which lets you relive the industrial era of Manchester.
- Walking through Deansgate towards the north you’ll reach the financial district called Spiningfields, and next to it, it is imperative that you enter the John Rylands Library, a beautiful nineteenth century building with Gothic style.
Photo credit: Albert Memorial via photopin (license)
From there, eastward you’ll reach Albert Square where the most significant monument of the city is. The Albert Memorial monument which is also neo-gothic.
- At this point you’re very close to the shopping area of Manchester, as embodied in Market Street, with its department stores, and the Piccadilly Gardens Square, which is the communications centre where all bus lines arrive. During this part of your tour you can also take the time to enjoy yourself in one of the nearby bingo halls UK.
- Further to the north, adjacent to the shopping area of Market Street, and next to a big wheel that will remind you to some extent of the London Eye, you get a beautiful spot where a couple of medieval-style buildings are concentrated, The Triangle, with terrace pubs and behind them, the curious Manchester Cathedral.
Manchester is a remarkable city. Taking the time to explore it will surely fulfil you.
