... I am doing a guide to Manchester, my home city over several ops.
In this general introduction I’m going to look at what the city has to offer, but over the coming weeks I’ll be doing individual ops on lots of the city’s features.
Manchester really needs little introduction, one of Britain’s ... Read review
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Advantages: Not far off being as good as London, and it's cheaper Disadvantages: Renovations make it a mess at the moment.
...city’s features.
Manchester really needs little introduction, one of Britain’s most famous cities and birthplace to some world-renowned teams and bands.
It’s a large city often referred to as the “Capital of the North.” In recent years the city has seen massive developments, both forced and chosen. After the 1996 IRA bomb attack Manchester has taken on a new look, and it’s better than ever.
Getting There ...is pretty good too, Stagecoach Manchester run the majority of buses, servicing the entire city and outlying towns. The bus station had a major remodelling recently, and is now much nicer and efficient. It is situated next to Piccadilly Gardens, which are currently having their own renovations. It looks a mess now but will be excellent when finished. The bus station is now well operated and policed, with an easy to use layout.
OK. I have been thinking for a while what the content of my next op should be, and now I have decided. I am doing a guide to Manchester, my home city over several ops.
In this general introduction I’m going to look at what the city has to offer, but over the coming weeks I’ll be doing individual ops on lots of the city’s features.
Manchester really needs little introduction, one of Britain’s most famous cities and birthplace to some world-renowned teams and bands.
It’s a large city often referred to as the “Capital of the North.” In recent years the city has seen massive developments, both forced and chosen. After the 1996 IRA bomb attack Manchester has taken on a new look, and it’s better than ever.
Getting There =========
Manchester is extremely well serviced by local, national and international transport. A 3 terminal International airport (Ringway) sits on the edge of the city and is among Europe’s busiest.
Piccadilly train station serves the entire country, it is currently undergoing massive renovations in order to make it one of Britain’s best stations. Currently it ranks somewhere just below the main London stations but the planned refurbishment will see Piccadilly take on a whole new persona. As for the station itself, it is well run and generally clean.
Manchester’s bus service is pretty good too, Stagecoach Manchester run the majority of buses, servicing the entire city and outlying towns. The bus station had a major remodelling recently, and is now much nicer and efficient. It is situated next to Piccadilly Gardens, which are currently having their own renovations. It looks a mess now but will be excellent when finished. The bus station is now well operated and policed, with an easy to use layout.
Manchester also has Metrolink, the city’s own tram service. It runs right through the city, and out onto farther places. The lines have recently been extended, and further lines are planned. The service is extremely well run and the trams are clean and frequent. It is a little pricier than the bus or train, but it is more convenient too.
What To Do When You Get There? ======================
Where do I start? Manchester has a vast array of superb things to do in a range to suit all (especially a certain Ciao self confessed shopaholic!)
Shops.
Bloody loads of the things! The city centre has a large shopping centre indoors as well as a range of shops outside on Market Street. There are also the designer stores on King Street (the posh stores.)
Outside the city there is the Trafford Centre. One of Europe’s finest shopping centres, the Trafford Centre has a range of shops and entertainment facilities.
Back in the city centre we have Affleck’s Palace, which many people never see due to a lack of publicity. Affleck’s Palace is like a gold mine of small stalls selling everything from jewellery to posters and is well worth a look.
Similarly, the Coliseum centre has lots of small stores including a lot of memorabilia shops and (dare I say) a shop selling American DVD’s (illegal.)
Look for detailed ops on the above soon, apart from the Trafford Centre, which I did a while ago, but will update to add it to the “guide.”
Eating Out.
Manchester offers a huge variety of places to eat out, and there are plenty I can recommend.
Chinatown is home to the Yang Sing, a world famous Chinese restaurant. Offering excellent cuisine and service I highly suggest this for those of a Chinese persuasion food wise. Other recommended Chinese places here include Pearl City and the excellent Ho’s Bakery (doing snacks rather than meals)
If you prefer things spicy (Trampus) then Rusholme is the place for you. Just outside the city centre it houses the “Curry Mile” – a myriad of curry houses resembling a Vegas betting strip. Personally I’d always tell people to go to Shere Khan, it’s simply the best curry house around, but places like the Royal Naz and Al Bilal come pretty close. The Curry Mile offers service through till the smallest hours, and it’s always great after a heavy night on the beer.
Of course no city would be complete without the likes of KFC and McDonalds, and Manchester is no exception. The main areas have all the usual fast food eateries, as well as our own multi food-court “Voyagers.” Any of these offers the chance of a snack, but eating out at night is highly recommended.
Drinking.
Ahhh yes, Manchester has loads of places to go for drinks. I’ll do a separate op on Manchester drinking soon, but these are the places I’d suggest to you.
The Printworks.
Contains a Hard Rock Café and Henry J Beans, great for cocktails, shots or plain old beer.
The Firkin Pubs.
Sadly in decline after their poor renovations, the Firkin pubs offer good priced beer and some crazy nights in the Footage & Firkin.
Down Under.
A late night bar which stays open till 2m, but avoids the club mentality.
Look for more in the Manchester drinking op…..soon.
Entertainment.
Like most major cities Manchester has lots of entertainment of all kinds, for both day and night.
Cinemagoers are well catered for, with well over 50 screens in the city, and more on the outskirts. There is also an IMAX cinema and the new drive in movie nights at the Trafford Centre (complete with roller girl waitresses.)
Manchester also has several museums, including the Science & Industry museum, the Transport Museum and the Museum of History. Each offers excellent value and an informative and entertaining few hours. All are well served by the local transport, and are fairly cheap.
The recently opened Lowry Centre also hosts lots of excellent exhibitions and concerts/performances. Recent events there include a cartoon exhibition and the stand-up show of MTV’s Richard Blackwood.
Concerts don’t stop there either, Manchester has some excellent music venues which are always on the best stars tour lists.
The Manchester Academy is part of the University, and is a small and intimate venue. However it’s size hasn’t put stars off, and recent players there have included Kylie Minogue and Sheryl Crow.
The Apollo theatre is larger than the Academy, and offers the best acoustics in Manchester. It is used for music and stage shows (including the upcoming Bottom Live 4.)
The Manchester Evening News Arena (formerly the Nynex Arena) is Manchester’s premier venue. All the top stars play here, and it is also home to the Storm (Ice-hockey) and the Giants (Basketball.) It is set above Manchester’s other rail station, Victoria, and is also serviced by Trams.
The Bridgewater Hall is home to the Manchester Philharmonic Orchestra and many excellent classical concerts are held there.
Where To Stay? ==========
If you’re looking to stay in Manchester then there are plenty of hotels to choose from. Ranging from small bed and breakfasts right up to the luxury of 5 star accommodation, Manchester can offer most things. Obviously staying right in the centre is dearer.
Sport. ====
Manchester is home to 2 footballteams, despite the blue sides claims that the red lot are not from Manchester.
United and City are 2 of Englands more famous clubs, but have had differeing fortunes of late. Whilst United are widely touted as the best team in England (and among Europe’s best) City have struggled recently with relegations hampering them. However with Kevin Keegan at the helm the club looks like it is on the mend.
United of course play at Old Trafford, the best club ground in the country by a long way. The ground is serviced by bus, train and tram and has a 67,000 capacity.
City currently reside at Maine Road, but after the 2002 Commonwealth games will be moving into the purpose built Eastlands Stadium, and very nice it looks too.
That’s right, the Commonwealth games will be here in Summer 2002, a great honour for the city that’s for sure. The stadium is nearly finished and will add to Manchester’s sporting reputation.
The city also has successful ice-hockey and Basketball teams in the Storm and the Giants respectively.
On a different scale, there is Belle Vue dog track (5 minutes from where I live.) 3 times a week meets are held and these nights are terrific. It is a reasonably cheap night, if you don’t bet heavily and a really fun one too.
Education. =======
Manchester has plenty of schools and a half decent LEA, but there is, like everywhere, room to do better. However the city’s Universities are doing very well and prove very popular.
MANCAT college of arts and technology is another popular place for people to attend, and the city also has lots of other places to go and learn.
Overall. =====
I love Manchester, it is quieter than London as a whole but with just as much going on. It is generally cheaper and pretty safe too. The transport and access is excellent and once all the current work is finished it will be among Europe’s best cities.
Feel free to contact me in the Guestbook if you want any more information (or a guided tour)
Some useful links
www.manchesteronline.co.uk - general guide to the place.
www.gmpte.con - all there is to know about Manchester transport and then some.
www.manutd.com - Website for the club.
www.traffordcentre.co.uk - guide to the great shopping centre.
www.thefilmworks.co.uk - Manchester’s best cinema, showtimes and info.
PLEASE NOTE THAT I WANTED TO LEAVE MANY OF THE RATING BOXES BLANK AS THEY SEEM TO APPLY TO HOLIDAYS, AND I LIVE HERE, BUT I HAVE TO FILL THEM IN.
Take the train to Manchester Piccadilly. If you must start from somewhere, then pick somewhere in Yorkshire. Say Huddersfield or Leeds, that way you get to ride up through the Colne Valley on the train, one of the best journeys I know. Passing places with names like Slaithwait, Linthwait and Marsden (the locals pronounce them as "Slowit", "Linfit" and Marzdin) and finally through the long, long tunnel that connects the White Rose with the Red. It's ... ...your plate. Think again. The Manchester items are the XR3i nutter bastards of the chapatti world! These buggers have attitude. For a start, they are as thick as Nan bread. Thrown against the side of the Tandoor, they come out with a crisp, in places brown, exterior and a beautiful soft interior. They are about the size of a dinner plate and if you were to hit someone with one of them then that unfortunate would almost certainly require immediate ...
tagheur 29.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester in general
Advantages: capital of the north, plenty to see and do Disadvantages: same as in all big cities - just use your head
Manchester is fast becoming known as the capital of the north and so I’ve decided to take the opportunity on this rather dull day in Manchester, to tell you all about some of its merits. I moved to Manchester just over 2 years ago to live with my partner from the sleepy Shropshire town of Shrewsbury. I’m now considered an ‘honoury manc’ by my boyfriend and his family and I’m very proud to say the least of my new heritage. Manchester today is a big ... ...---------------------------------
Location and accessibility
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Manchester is one of Britain's largest metropolitan conurbations, set in the old county of Lancashire, on the west side of the Pennine Hills. The Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester has the most extensive motorway network in the United Kingdom. It is accessible by road, rail and air. Manchester is 2½ hours from London by Intercity trains, of which ...
nicolemorgan 09.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester in general
Advantages: Cosmpolitan, China Town, Rusholme, always something to do Disadvantages: The idiots, Manchester City, Manchester United
...lived on and off in Manchester for around 5 years (1998 - 2002) and if I wasn't staying there, I visited at least twice a month. I've seen the city evolve over the past few years and now I've moved to Grimsby (review coming soon...) I'm going to write a review on Manchester.
Let's start with the positive side.
Manchester is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the UK. You have people from all walks of life here and they all combine to make a ... ...nationality and profession combined in Manchester and if you walk down Market Street (the place the |IRA tried to demolish up in 1996) you'll see what I mean.
Staying on Market Street, this is the main shopping hub of Manchester. There is the (really ugly) Arndale Centre (do not confuse this with The Trafford Centre which is further out) and all your usual and not so usual high street stores (although most of these tend to be in the Royal Exchange ...
ayanayuk 23.07.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester in general
Advantages: great shops, pubs, clubs and culture! Its got the lot!! Disadvantages: Its not the capital of England...YET!
...think about the goings-on in Manchester it is NOT a scruffy, rough drugs haven! And not everyone walks around repeatedly saying "innit" and "mad fer'it" like a city full of Gallagher clones.
Manchester has undergone huge changes in the last 5 or so years. I admit, it never used to be that impressive..and the main thing to boast about was that it was home to Manchester United...although I'm more of a Bury fan myself...(but lets not go too far into ... ...know about Manchester has been re-developed immensely with new shopping areas such as The Triangle - situated in the old corn exchange, home to high class shops such as Ted Baker. Also, the new Marks & Spencer which was built on the site of where some of the damage from the bomb was caused. This is a huge, impressive glass building. Half of it is now Selfridges - which i do find is a bit cramped and squashed together it is altogether a good place ...
lucylu_84 15.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester in general
Advantages: So much diversity in such a compact place Disadvantages: The weather
...comes remotely close to what Manchester offers.
Based on cotton manufacturing, Manchester had a difficult problem in the 60s as the textile industry was starting to decline. As you probably have seen watching Coronation Street, Manchester really was like this during the 60's, 70'2 and 80's, struggling to find it's place in the world. Poverty was widespread and life expentancy short. All was to change one morning in June 1996. A huge terrorist bomb ... ...of events that has enabled Manchester to be reborn as a modern, independant, cultural city.
The City centre itself offers the full-on experience of tourist attractions. Land mark shops like Harvey Nichols, Selfriges, Armani and the largest Marks and Spencer's in the world, blend in seamlessly with with historic hotels, galleries and museums. The central library is worthy of particular note being a huge round ampitheatre type building. Victorian ...
davejug1 06.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester in general
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
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