Warning: Continue reading at your own risk, it could result in feelings for Manchester.
1. The local music scene
Manchester actually has a vibrant music scene that rivals any other city in the world. I admit I’m from the north of England myself, but I’m really not biased – word of honor. Visit this first Haciendasformerly the most famous concert hall in the United Kingdom, and then stroll on to Albert Hall or Deaf Institutewhere you can enjoy an evening of indie rock. If you’re more interested in acoustic guitars, try it out Band on the Wall or in gorilla.
2. At the heart of British sport
If you’ve never heard of Manchester United, you might want to socialize more. The football club plays at Old Trafford, also known as ‘The Theater of Dreams’. Just a few streets away, things get really busy when rivals Manchester City are on the pitch. And Manchester isn’t just famous for its football clubs: Sale Rugby and Lancashire County Cricket Club are also based nearby.
3. Universities and institutions
The University of Manchester is one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious academic institutions. It is the home of the first modern computer (keyword Alan Turing, does that ring a bell?!) and has produced 25 Nobel Prize winners to date. Just around the corner you will find the Manchester School of Architecture, which also has a very good reputation, the distinctive Royal Exchange Theater and the Manchester Art Gallery.
4. People are friendly!
Forget Winterfell and the White Walkers. It’s not like that at all game of Thrones wants us to believe, because the people from the north are very nice and don’t bite. Manchester is the perfect example; Here people actually talk on the street! Sit down in a nice café and chat with friends and locals over a cup of tea or coffee and you’ll quickly realize that you actually belong here.
5. Manchester has a heart for students
Student life is also thriving in Great Britain’s third largest city. The epicenter is Fallowfield, just a short bus ride from the heart of the city down the famous Oxford Road. Here you will find students on every corner, studying in the cafés or watching sports together in the pub.
6. A paradise for everyone who loves food
Do you like good, delicious food? Then come here. The Northern Quarter is a buzzing hive of alternative, cool places to get your fill – from Yard & Coop up to the Luck Lust Liquor and that Burn. If you want something more elegant, I recommend the underground dining room Australasiamade entirely of glass and white struts. For a cozy cup of tea and the best view in the city, take a seat on the terrace of Manchester House.
7. Surrounded by breathtaking nature
The great thing about Manchester is that the scenic heart of England is just a short train or car journey away when you need a break from the fast-paced city life. In 20 minutes you’ll be in the Peak District and enjoy the view of rolling hills and rocky moors. The world-famous Lake District may be a little further away, but this romantic escape of shimmering lakes and peaceful villages is well worth a trip. Here you can experience the untouched regional flora and fauna.
8. Architectural Pearls
The city is home to some of the finest and most impressive examples of British architecture. During the Industrial Revolution, Manchester was the center of textile production. Old red brick cloth factories and Victorian warehouses still bear witness to this today, but have been carefully and attractively modernized, with glass front or inner courtyards or facades. Worth seeing examples of a successful combination of old and new include the Deansgate Arches, Printworks, Victoria Station and the Central Library.
9. For shopping queens!
Manchester is also quite impressive as a shopping city. You can easily spend the whole day in the Trafford Center alone and find pretty much every well-known brand. Are you looking for independent boutiques and small shops? Why not try it? Arndale or in Affleck’s Palace in the city center.
10. The English of the North
The people of Manchester, too Mancunians called, have their own version of the English language and use a whole range of endearing colloquial expressions such as ‘our kid’ (which simply means brother). Visit Manchester and you’ll soon be speaking in the same singsong as the people from the north. You can undoubtedly impress your friends back home with this later.
