Sightseeing and Tours
The following are some suggested key attractions.
Museums
Coronation Street – The Tour
Coronation Street The Tour is a unique opportunity to walk down the famous cobbles of the nation's street, have your picture taken at the bar of the Rovers Return and take a tour behind the scenes of the former Manchester sets. Studio guides will share fascinating facts and stories from over 50 years of filming at the site which now has a new home at MediaCityUK.
People’s History Museum
The People’s History Museum tells the dramatic story of the British working class’s struggle for democracy and social justice. The old and new buildings have been joined together by a spectacular glass walkway. The museum galleries, changing exhibitions, education service, Labour History Archive & Study Centre, Textile Conservation Studio, café and shop are all housed in a new fantastic building.
John Rylands Library
For those who set eyes on John Rylands Library for the first time, ‘library’ might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. This world class collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment. Other treasures of the vast, varied collection include magnificent illuminated medieval manuscripts and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
Manchester Museum
Explore the world at the Manchester Museum with its four floors of displays and exhibitions in 15 galleries featuring collections from all over the world. See the famous Egyptology galleries; the world of nature featuring mammals, birds and live animals; ethology collections from South America and the Museum's own collections of fossils and minerals.
MOSI - The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum is based on the site of the oldest passenger railway station in the world. The huge, 7½ acre site has five historic buildings packed with fascinating exhibitions, hands-on galleries, historic working machinery and superb special exhibitions.
National Football Museum
Opened July 2012, this museum provides a world-class home for the greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled. Across three floors, more than 140,000 objects, works of art and photographs.
Imperial War Museum North
One of the most celebrated Museums in Britain today, Imperial War Museum North is about people and their stories, about how lives have been and still are shaped by war and conflict.
Theatre / Visual Arts
Cornerhouse
Cornerhouse is Manchester's international centre for contemporary visual arts and film. Located in the heart of the city and open seven days a week, it covers three floors of contemporary art galleries, three screens showing the best of independent cinema, a bar, a café and a bookshop.
The Great Northern
The Grade 2* listed Great Northern Warehouse is nowa lively leisure and shopping development with bustling bars, cafes and restaurants, casino and 16-screen cinema and an elegant landscaped public square. But it was once a neglected Victorian landmark and as the architects,planners and builders worked their magic, its fascinating history was uncovered.
The Palace Theatre and Opera House
The Palace Theatre, often referred to as ‘The Grand Old Lady of Oxford Street’ is now one of the best equipped and most popular theatres in the country, hosting many major touring musicals. The Palace’s sister theatre is the Opera House on Peter Street, which plays host to touring musicals, ballet and concerts.
The Royal Exchange Theatre
Housed in Manchester’s historical Cotton Exchange building; a must see on your visit to Manchester. There is a varied programme of plays and other special events; the theatre also houses the Craft Shop and Craft Shop Gallery, recognised as a major focal point of contemporary craft work in the Northwest.
Library Theatre
The Library Theatre Company's intimate 312-seat space in the basement of Central Library opened in 1952. The Library enjoys an enviable reputation for its challenging and much-admired productions of the work of American playwrights such David Mamet, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams, as well as plays not previously seen in the north west, notably the work of David Hare and Alan Ayckbourn.
Art and Craft
Manchester Art Gallery
One of the country's finest art collections in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings. The gallery's recent £35 million transformation has enabled the collection to be presented to visitors in imaginative new ways.
Whitworth Art Gallery
The Whitworth Art Gallery has an Edwardian facade, with a light and spacious modern interior. Home to a famous collection of British water colours, modern and historic prints, drawings, paintings and sculptures, textiles and wallpapers.
Lowry Arts Centre
The Lowry is a spectacular home to the arts and entertainment with a wealth of activity under one roof! Inside this magnificent building you will find two stunning theatres, The Lyric (the largest stage in England outside London) and the more intimate Quays, offering a variety of performance from ballet, drama, opera, comedy music and family entertainment. The Lowry Galleries showcase changing exhibitions by one of Britain's best loved artists, LS Lowry, as well as paintings, sculpture and photography by artists of local, national and international renown. With cafe's, a restaurant and gift shops all set against spectacular waterside views, there is something for everyone at The Lowry.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Manchester Craft and Design Centre is a unique organisation comprising 16 retail/studio spaces, an excellent cafe and a rolling programme of exhibitions from leading national and international makers.
Chinese Arts Centre
The Chinese Arts Centre offers changing contemporary arts exhibitions, workshops, education programme and information on Chinese art and culture. It also has a library and artist database.
Tours
Walking Tours
There are several very distinct districts for you to explore; from Chinatown and the Northern Quarter to Castlefield and Spinningfields. A guided walking tour will best uncover these areas’ hidden secrets. An hour and half tour introduces new visitors to all aspects of the city including the history, Manchester today, culture, attractions and entertainment.
City Centre Cruises
Leaving the city the luxurious restaurant boat ‘LS Lowry’ travels along the Bridgewater Canal to Pomona and descends the lock onto the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Irwell. Take in views of the various waterside developments including The Lowry, IWMN and MediaCityUK at Salford Quays.
Manchester Cathedral Visitor Centre
The listed exterior hides a wealth of facilities in a very modern interior. Inside the building you will find a restaurant sharing the same space as the Hanging Bridge; a 15th century medieval bridge that originally connected the Church with the medieval town, it is one of Manchester oldest structures, and a Scheduled Monument.
Country Parks
Heaton Park
More than just a walk in the park, Heaton Park is a historic area on the edge of Manchester with all the attractions offering a full day out for all ages. Visit the play areas, cafes, Animal Centre, Tram Museum, bowling greens, golf course, boating lake, and try your hand at horse riding.
Tatton Park
There are four impressive attractions within Tatton’s magnificent 1000 acre deer park. The Mansion’s art collection includes a Van Dyck and Canalettos, also furniture by Gillows of Lancaster, while the Victorian kitchens provide an interesting contrast. The 50 acre Gardens feature 250 years of garden design including the famous Japanese Garden. There is also the historic farm, while the Tudor Old Hall tour covers 500 years of Tatton history.
The following are some suggested key attractions.
Museums
Coronation Street – The Tour
 | Atherton Street, Castlefield |
 | www.coronationstreettour.co.uk |
 | 0844 277 0700 (Ticketmaster UK hotline) |
Coronation Street The Tour is a unique opportunity to walk down the famous cobbles of the nation's street, have your picture taken at the bar of the Rovers Return and take a tour behind the scenes of the former Manchester sets. Studio guides will share fascinating facts and stories from over 50 years of filming at the site which now has a new home at MediaCityUK.
People’s History Museum
| Left Bank, Spinningfields |
| www.phm.org.uk |
| | 0161 228 7212 |
The People’s History Museum tells the dramatic story of the British working class’s struggle for democracy and social justice. The old and new buildings have been joined together by a spectacular glass walkway. The museum galleries, changing exhibitions, education service, Labour History Archive & Study Centre, Textile Conservation Studio, café and shop are all housed in a new fantastic building.
John Rylands Library
| 150 Deansgate |
| www.library.manchester.ac.uk |
| | 0161 306 0555 |
For those who set eyes on John Rylands Library for the first time, ‘library’ might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. This world class collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment. Other treasures of the vast, varied collection include magnificent illuminated medieval manuscripts and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
Manchester Museum
| The University Of Manchester, Oxford Rd |
| www.manchester.ac.uk |
| | 0161 275 2648 |
Explore the world at the Manchester Museum with its four floors of displays and exhibitions in 15 galleries featuring collections from all over the world. See the famous Egyptology galleries; the world of nature featuring mammals, birds and live animals; ethology collections from South America and the Museum's own collections of fossils and minerals.
MOSI - The Museum of Science and Industry
| Liverpool Road, Castlefield |
| www.mosi.org.uk |
| | 161 832 2244 |
The Museum is based on the site of the oldest passenger railway station in the world. The huge, 7½ acre site has five historic buildings packed with fascinating exhibitions, hands-on galleries, historic working machinery and superb special exhibitions.
National Football Museum
| Urbis, Cathedral Gardens |
| www.nationalfootballmuseum.com |
| | 0161 605 8200 |
Opened July 2012, this museum provides a world-class home for the greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled. Across three floors, more than 140,000 objects, works of art and photographs.
Imperial War Museum North
| Trafford Wharf Road, The Quays |
| www.iwm.org.uk |
| | 0161 836 4000 |
One of the most celebrated Museums in Britain today, Imperial War Museum North is about people and their stories, about how lives have been and still are shaped by war and conflict.
Theatre / Visual Arts
Cornerhouse
| 70 Oxford Street |
| www.cornerhouse.org |
| | 0161 228 7621 |
Cornerhouse is Manchester's international centre for contemporary visual arts and film. Located in the heart of the city and open seven days a week, it covers three floors of contemporary art galleries, three screens showing the best of independent cinema, a bar, a café and a bookshop.
The Great Northern
| 253 Deansgate |
| www.thegreatnorthern.com |
| | 0870 755 5657 |
The Grade 2* listed Great Northern Warehouse is nowa lively leisure and shopping development with bustling bars, cafes and restaurants, casino and 16-screen cinema and an elegant landscaped public square. But it was once a neglected Victorian landmark and as the architects,planners and builders worked their magic, its fascinating history was uncovered.
The Palace Theatre and Opera House
| 97 Oxford St |
| www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk |
| | 0161 245 6666 |
The Palace Theatre, often referred to as ‘The Grand Old Lady of Oxford Street’ is now one of the best equipped and most popular theatres in the country, hosting many major touring musicals. The Palace’s sister theatre is the Opera House on Peter Street, which plays host to touring musicals, ballet and concerts.
The Royal Exchange Theatre
| St Ann's Square |
| www.royalexchange.co.uk |
| | 0161 833 9833 |
Housed in Manchester’s historical Cotton Exchange building; a must see on your visit to Manchester. There is a varied programme of plays and other special events; the theatre also houses the Craft Shop and Craft Shop Gallery, recognised as a major focal point of contemporary craft work in the Northwest.
Library Theatre
| St Peter's Square |
| www.librarytheatre.com |
| | 0161 236 7110 |
The Library Theatre Company's intimate 312-seat space in the basement of Central Library opened in 1952. The Library enjoys an enviable reputation for its challenging and much-admired productions of the work of American playwrights such David Mamet, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams, as well as plays not previously seen in the north west, notably the work of David Hare and Alan Ayckbourn.
Art and Craft
Manchester Art Gallery
| Mosley Street |
| www.manchestergalleries.org |
| | 0161 235 8888 |
One of the country's finest art collections in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings. The gallery's recent £35 million transformation has enabled the collection to be presented to visitors in imaginative new ways.
Whitworth Art Gallery
| Oxford Road |
| www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk |
| | 0161 275 7450 |
The Whitworth Art Gallery has an Edwardian facade, with a light and spacious modern interior. Home to a famous collection of British water colours, modern and historic prints, drawings, paintings and sculptures, textiles and wallpapers.
Lowry Arts Centre
| Pier Eight Salford Quays |
| www.thelowry.com |
| | 0843 208 6000 |
The Lowry is a spectacular home to the arts and entertainment with a wealth of activity under one roof! Inside this magnificent building you will find two stunning theatres, The Lyric (the largest stage in England outside London) and the more intimate Quays, offering a variety of performance from ballet, drama, opera, comedy music and family entertainment. The Lowry Galleries showcase changing exhibitions by one of Britain's best loved artists, LS Lowry, as well as paintings, sculpture and photography by artists of local, national and international renown. With cafe's, a restaurant and gift shops all set against spectacular waterside views, there is something for everyone at The Lowry.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
| 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter |
| www.craftanddesign.com |
| | 0161 832 4274 |
Manchester Craft and Design Centre is a unique organisation comprising 16 retail/studio spaces, an excellent cafe and a rolling programme of exhibitions from leading national and international makers.
Chinese Arts Centre
| Thomas Street, Northern Quarter |
| www.chinese-arts-centre.org |
| | 0161 832 7271 |
The Chinese Arts Centre offers changing contemporary arts exhibitions, workshops, education programme and information on Chinese art and culture. It also has a library and artist database.
Tours
Walking Tours
| www.visitmanchester.com/#/discover/walks |
There are several very distinct districts for you to explore; from Chinatown and the Northern Quarter to Castlefield and Spinningfields. A guided walking tour will best uncover these areas’ hidden secrets. An hour and half tour introduces new visitors to all aspects of the city including the history, Manchester today, culture, attractions and entertainment.
City Centre Cruises
| www.citycentrecruises.co.uk |
Leaving the city the luxurious restaurant boat ‘LS Lowry’ travels along the Bridgewater Canal to Pomona and descends the lock onto the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Irwell. Take in views of the various waterside developments including The Lowry, IWMN and MediaCityUK at Salford Quays.
Manchester Cathedral Visitor Centre
| www.manchestercathedral.org |
The listed exterior hides a wealth of facilities in a very modern interior. Inside the building you will find a restaurant sharing the same space as the Hanging Bridge; a 15th century medieval bridge that originally connected the Church with the medieval town, it is one of Manchester oldest structures, and a Scheduled Monument.
Country Parks
Heaton Park
| Prestwich, Manchester |
| www.heatonpark.org.uk |
| | 0161 7731 085 |
More than just a walk in the park, Heaton Park is a historic area on the edge of Manchester with all the attractions offering a full day out for all ages. Visit the play areas, cafes, Animal Centre, Tram Museum, bowling greens, golf course, boating lake, and try your hand at horse riding.
Tatton Park
| Knutsford, Cheshire |
| www.tattonpark.org.uk |
| | 01625 374416 |
There are four impressive attractions within Tatton’s magnificent 1000 acre deer park. The Mansion’s art collection includes a Van Dyck and Canalettos, also furniture by Gillows of Lancaster, while the Victorian kitchens provide an interesting contrast. The 50 acre Gardens feature 250 years of garden design including the famous Japanese Garden. There is also the historic farm, while the Tudor Old Hall tour covers 500 years of Tatton history.
