Manchester is one of the biggest cities in England, and it is sometimes known as the Capital of the North. The extension of the city’s entertainment and sports facilities has also considerably enhanced its appeal for tourists, making it one of the best places to visit in northern England. Here are some of the impressive destinations in Manchester.
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Impressive Destinations in Manchester
1. Castlefield
Designated an Urban Heritage Park, Castlefield is an excellent place to begin exploring Manchester. A walk among the lovingly restored Victorian houses along the old canals or through the reconstructed Roman Fort is time well spent.
Be sure to explore the Bridgewater Canal, constructed in 1761 to transport coal from the mines at Worsley to Manchester. The many old warehouses that line the canal have been restored and turned into offices, shops, hotels, and restaurants. A trip on one of the Bridgewater tour boats is highly recommended.
2. Science and Industry Museum
Manchester was the birthplace of many important discoveries and inventions, many of which are documented at the Science and Industry Museum. Wander through the power hall, marvel at the collection of steam trains and early aircraft, and take the time to work through the experiments upstairs.
This is one of the impressive destinations in Manchester that visitors should spend time exploring.
3. Northern Quarter
Manchester is synonymous with a creative spirit and a point-blank refusal to take itself too seriously, and nowhere is this anarchic attitude better exemplified than in the Northern Quarter. The NQ (as per local shorthand) is a hotchpotch of architectural styles. Record labels and fashion designers have set up shop inside Edwardian mills; office workers sink after-work pints in Victorian pubs; beard-stroking DJs (seriously) gather in modern beer gardens to compare purchases from stores that do a roaring trade in vinyl and art galleries like the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Art Gallery, to name a couple, have set up shop here.
4. Imperial War Museum North
Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) is also worth visiting, especially if you have an interest in the history of warfare. Opened in 2002, this branch of the Imperial War Museum is a popular attraction for its collections of fighting vehicles and aircraft.
Highlights of a visit include audiovisual presentations and exhibits dealing with the history of warfare and its role in shaping civilization. There are also numerous static displays of large machines such as tanks, aircraft, artillery, and handheld weaponry. A shop and café are located on the premises.
5. Whitworth Art Gallery
6. Manchester Cathedral
Perched on the banks of the River Irwell, Manchester Cathedral – officially the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St. Mary, St. Denys, and St. George – dates mostly from 1422 to 1506 and was raised to cathedral status in 1847. Particularly attractive are its chapels on both sides of the nave and choir.
It was built between 1486 and 1508 with further additions and alterations in almost every subsequent century. Of particular note are the choir stalls, with some of the most richly decorated misericords in the country.
St. John’s Chapel is the chapel of the Manchester Regiment, and the little Lady Chapel has a wooden screen dating from 1440. The octagonal chapterhouse, built-in 1465, has murals that include a figure of Christ in modern dress.
7. The John Rylands Library
8. National Football Museum
Home to two of Europe’s top football teams – Man City and Man United – Manchester is a great place to pay homage to the country’s favorite sport.
The first stop should be the National Football Museum. This football shrine features fascinating memorabilia related to the sport, including such gems as the very first rulebook, as well as historic trophies and clothing.
A variety of great short movies show the history of the sport, while fun hands-on displays provide plenty of additional entertainment for youngsters. Check their website for details of special events and programs.
It’s also worth paying a visit to one of the Manchester teams’ home stadiums. Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium offers a variety of fun tour options, including behind-the-scenes and deluxe dinner tours.
