The City of Manchester
The City of Manchester
Manchester is a vibrant and
modern city with cultural events and attractions to suit every
lifestyle. The city itself has a diverse and multi-cultural population
and is also home to one of the largest student populations in the UK.
Although
Manchester is one of the largest cities in the UK, with all the
facilities you would expect from a modern, cosmopolitan city, it is
also extremely accessible and easy to navigate. It has a compact
city-centre and is easy to get around either on foot or by using the
city’s excellent transport system. This includes relatively cheap
buses, a modern Metrolink tram system and an extensive train network
with connections throughout the UK.
History and architecture
Manchester’s
position as the world’s first industrial city is evident in its famous
Victorian buildings and monuments, such as the Town Hall in Albert
Square. Over the last few years the city centre has been reshaped. New
public spaces have been created, and imaginative buildings and
developments have appeared, transforming Manchester’s skyline. In the
last ten years the Imperial War Museum North, Urbis Museum of Urban
Life, the Bridgewater Hall and most recently the Manchester Hilton
hotel have all made a dramatic impact on the city, both architecturally
and culturally.
Eating and drinking
With over
300 restaurants and more entries in the Good Food guide than any city
outside of London, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Alongside local and
modern British restaurants there’s an eclectic range of high quality
international cuisine available.
Manchester’s Chinatown is
the largest in Britain and has a number of Asian supermarkets, and
there are many restaurants and shops in Rusholme’s ‘Curry Mile’ which
cater to the resident South Asian and Middle Eastern communities,
making it easy for international students to find foods familiar from
home.
Cultural Manchester
There are more than 50
museums and galleries in Greater Manchester, most of which provide free
admission. Two of the best – the Whitworth Art Gallery and the
Manchester Museum – belong to The University of Manchester and are
situated on the campus.
The city has a vibrant music scene,
which has launched some of the great names in music history including
the Smiths, Oasis and the Stone Roses. The city remains one of the best
cities in the world to listen to music. A major destination for tour
bands, big name live music venues including the Apollo, the MEN Arena
and the Academy at The University of Manchester’s Students’ Union. With
jazz festivals, world music events, classical music and opera, the
diversity of music available in Manchester is hard to beat.
There
are famous comedy clubs and theatregoers can enjoy a range of
performances at one of the city’s many theatres. The Royal Exchange
Theatre is alive with engaging mainstream theatre most nights, while
The Palace and The Opera House host the big shows like The Sound of
Music and Joseph, touring out of London. Manchester also has numerous
cinemas, including several modern multiplexes and the nearby
Cornerhouse, an independent cinema hosting international film festivals.
Sport
Manchester’s
biggest name in sport is, of course, Manchester United Football Club.
Their home at Old Trafford is the largest club ground in Britain.
Rivals Manchester City are based on the other side of the city at their
Eastlands stadium, which was originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth
Games. The Games left a legacy of world-class sporting facilities,
including the Manchester Aquatics Centre on the University campus.
National and international cricket can be enjoyed at Lancashire’s Old
Trafford Ground.
Shopping
Manchester is the
shopping capital of the North and has a range of department stores,
popular high street chains and designer boutiques. The Northern
Quarters offers a unique experience with its mix of bars, cafes and
unique one-off shops, where you will be able to find products from all
over the world. The Trafford Centre, a giant out of town shopping
centre with more than 250 stores, confirms Manchester’s reputation as a
shopper’s paradise.
…and beyond the city
Manchester
is a great base from which to explore the rest of the UK. There are
four national parks within an hour’s drive, including the naturally
stunning Peak District, Lake District and North Wales. London is just
two hours by train and the historic city of York and the unique
Blackpool seaside resort are also within easy reach by train.
For
those who wish to explore further afield, Manchester International is
also a major airport with daily flights arriving from 200 destinations
and a frequent service to the two main London airports, Heathrow and
Gatwick, as well as to most major European cities.