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Sights in Manchester

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The Lowry Centre

The Lowry Centre

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Manchester has a lot to offer for the cultural buffs. Although Manchester looks rather modern, one of the highlights is probably a visit to the Cathedral and the Town Hall. For those interested how this industrial city came into being and achieved its present status, it might be an idea to pay a visit to the Museum of Science and History. The museum does not only offer an exhibition and an area where children (and adults) of course can entertain themselves with scientific tricks, it is also possible to trace a little bit of what life must have been like in the old days in the section where they rebuilt houses and streets from earlier Manchester. And this is only one of the many museums in Manchester.

There are several good art galleries and exhibition spaces, excellent libraries, an enormous university complex, nice squares (The Albert Square and Piccadilly Square are probably best known) and parks (Castlefield Urban Heritage park is a good option).

The centre is actually quite pretty. The thing to do is not to look just at what's in the shop windows but just above; the buildings come in all styles and many different colours and stone types. Make sure you see the the spaceship style Royal Exchange Theatre- a modernist building right in the middle of the the former large Victorian building used until 1968 for cotton trading. Apart from the theatre there's a great cafe a craft and bookshop and, often, exhibtions, An oasis of calm in a vibrant city.

Even better (get a visitor pass from the porter or vist the Tourist Shop on the corner) is the town hall, in a neo-gothic';style with little arches, corners, bridges, alleys, and lots of beautiful masonry. If the Great Hall is not in use you can look at the wall paintings depicting events from Manchester history.

A favourite spot for outside architecture is Castlefield, named after the remains of a Roman fortress (minimal), but is has old bridges and buildings in red brick and cast iron all from the haydays of the industrial revolution. There's a terrifc, hands-on museum of science and industry here - great for kids and grown-ups alike. Nowadays it has a lot of night life too.

The real origin of the industrial revolution is on the other side of town, behind Piccadilly station. However, whilst this is still a tad depressing and the run down; this area is currently being revitalised. And you must see the B of the Bang sculpture. B of the Bang is a competition winning sculpture for the City of Manchester Stadium where the 2002 Commonwealth Games were hosted, now the home of Manchester City Football Club.
 
The tallest sculpture in the UK, it is inclined at an angle of thirty degrees from the vertical and represents a major challenge in both construction and engineering.

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August 02, 2005 change by asianmaze

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Corner house Galleries

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Located on Oxford Road and are well known for an excellent collection of visual arts including photography, sculpture and painting. Norbert Ligterink: The cornerhouse has from time to time very nice modern art exhibitions; the same stuff you can find in the London galleries.

type:Hotspots
World66 rating: [rate it]
openings:Tuesday to Saturday from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm, Sunday 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm;admission is free
tel:0161-228 2463

The Old Wellington Inn and Sinclair's Oyster Bar

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The Old Wellington Inn and Sinclair's Oyster Bar
The Old Wellington Inn and Sinclair's Oyster Bar
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The Old Wellington Inn dates back to 1530 and Sinclair's Oyster Bar was built in 1720, making these two buildings amongst the oldest and most remarkable in Manchester.

More remarkable perhaps is their recent history. In the 1970's as part of the development of the original and much decried Arndale Centre they were lifted in tact millimetre by millimetre to a total of 1.5 metres and underpinned by a concrete plinth in their new location.

In 1996 the huge IRA bomb that destroyed the listed Marks and Spencers building did considerable damage to the Old Wellington, more..

type:Hotspots
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address:Exchange Square

Heaton Park

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600 acre park with boating lake, pets corner, golf course, working tram. Neo-classical Heaton Hall is the venue for music events. Concerts and events held in the park during the summer. Free entrance. Location: Four miles north of central Manchester. Accessible via Metrolink.

type:Parks
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tel:0161 773 1085

Lyme Park

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House dates from the middle ages, featured in BBC "Pride and Prejudice". Conservatory, Deer park, Dutch garden, lake, extensive walks, magnificent views over Cheshire and Manchester. National Trust/Stockport MBC Location: 13 miles south east of central Manchester

type:Parks
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address:Disley, Stockport SK12 2NX
tel:01663 762023/766492

Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester

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The museum is located in the Castlefield area of the City on Liverpool Road and is open every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays, except the 24 & 26 December.

Admission to the Museum is free, although they do charge for entry into the visiting exhibitions.

The science kid stuff is really for kids and not for grown-ups with a inquisitive mind.

The not so technically minded can still enjoy the beauty of early technology, from which you can see the craftman's pride.

There are changing exhibitions on the socio-historical aspects of the science, industry, and more..

type:Hotspots
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openings:10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
tel:0161 832 1830 (24 Hour Information Line)

Manchester Cathedral

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Restored and extended in Victorian times, but with visible remains of medieval church. Side chapels, carvings, bookshop, with accounts of 1940 and 1996 bomb damage. Free entrance.

type:general
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address:Victoria Street
tel:(0161) 833 2220

Town Hall, Manchester

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Neo-Gothic palatial building, home of Manchester City Council. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, and completed in 1873. Sculptures, stained glass window, paintings, carved stone. Magnificent banquet hall with painted murals depicting the history of Manchester. Venue for many events throughout the year. Free entrance.

type:general
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address:Albert Square
tel:(0161) 234 5000

Tatton Park

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Magnificent park, neo-Classical mansion house, gardens (including Japanese Garden), Old Hall, working 1930's farm, boating lake, museum, children’s play area, shops, restaurant. One of England's greatest country estates. Special shows and events throughout the year. Run by Cheshire County Council on behalf of the National Trust. A "Must-See" attraction. Location: 12 miles south west of central Manchester

type:Parks, Gardens and Zoos
World66 rating: [rate it]
infoline:01565 750250
address:Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN
mainswitchboard:01565 654822

Quarry Bank Mill & Styal Country Park

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Restored working cotton Mill. Exhibits on cotton industry, millworkers, apprentices, cottages. Pleasant walks along wooded River Bollin valley. Location: 10 miles south of central Manchester Accessible by train to Styal

type:Parks
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address:Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA

Dunham Massey

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Georgian House set in 101 hectare wooded deer park. Library, stables, moat, working mill, orangery, garden, shrubs, rare, late-flowering azaleas. Free entrance to the park. Location: 9 and a half miles south west of central Manchester.

type:Hotspots
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address:Altrincham WA14 4J
tel:0161 941 1025

The Lowry

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The Lowry is the centre for plays in its theatre as well as containing the City of Salford's superb collection of LS Lowry's paintings. The building itself is a good start for 21st century architectire, as is the Imperial war Museum North which is only a short distance away over a bridge.

The Lowry is best reached from Salford Keys tram station by walking with the water to your left. Harbour City station is slightly nearer but the walk is nothing like as nice.

type:Art Galleries
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email:info@thelowry.com
address:Salford Quays
tel:0870 787 5780
zipcode:http://www.thelowry.com

Pankhurst Centre

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Number 62 is one of two Georgian houses where the Women's Social and PoliticalUnion was formed in 1903. 60-62 Nelson Street in Chorlton-on-Medlock, 1 mile south east of the city centre.

type:Museums
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tel:0161 273 5673.

Barton Arcade

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Barton Arcade inside
Barton Arcade inside
 photo by: Tony Woof

Beautifully restored Victorian glass arcade with shops and offices. Free entrance

type:Hotspots
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address:Deansgate, City Centre

Hollingworth Lake Country Park

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Lake with watersports facilities. Two and a quarter mile walk around the lake, waterfowl, view of Pennines and M62 motorway. Free entrance Location: 13 miles north west of central Manchester

type:Hotspots
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address:Rakewood Road, Littleborough, Rochdale
tel:01706 373421

Manchester Museum

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The University area is one mile south of the City Centre.

type:Museums
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openings:Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 5.00 pm
tel:0161-275 2634

Jodrell Bank Science Centre and Arboretum

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Displays on astronomy and the universe with activities for children. Location: 16 miles south of Manchester

type:Parks
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address:Macclesfield, Cheshire
tel:01477 571339

Salford Museum and Art Gallery

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Collections of paintings and sculpture, old masters, contemporary art. Salford's most famous artist LS Lowry. Library has local history section photographic collections. Free entrance.

type:Art Galleries
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address:Peel Park, Salford M5; 1 mile west of Manchester City Centre, next to Salford University

Manchester City Art Galleries

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See the website of the Man City Art Gallery.

type:Art Galleries
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Viewpoint Photography Gallery

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1 mile west of Manchester City Centre, opposite Salford University Regular photography exhibitions in this attractive Location

type:Hotspots
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address:The Old Fire Station, The Crescent, Salford M6;
tel:(0161)737 1040

Gallery of English Costume

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Georgian house containing one of the finest costume collections in the Britain.located in Platt Fields, Rusholme. Norbert Ligterink: The costume museum is a bit for the enthousiast only. Or if you are old enough to remember "those days".

type:Art Galleries
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address:Platt Fields, Rusholme; Admission free
tel:0161 224 5217
show numbers 1-20   21-29  

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