Manchester

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These vtravellers love Manchester

Overview
Guide
Reviews
Attractions
Sleep
Eat
Shop
Events

Overview

Manchester’s history begins with the Romans who settled here around 79AD and stayed for the next three centuries. Historical records show that by 1322 there was already a textile industry in place and by 1600 cotton was being imported, fuelling Manchester’s growth.

By the time of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester had established itself as a major influence in the cotton industry and was well on its way to becoming one of the world’s great industrial cities. The city’s achievements were so great that in 1844 the novelist and England’s former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli declared Manchester to be ‘as great a human exploit as Athens’.

After the boom years, the city fell on hard times and entered a period of economic decline during the 1960s and 70s. On the verge of full recovery, Manchester suffered a further setback when the IRA detonated a devastating bomb that ripped through the heart of the city centre in 1996.

This, however, turned out to be the catalyst for the city’s rebirth and huge sums of money were pumped into rebuilding the city centre, kick-starting a wave of citywide development and regeneration projects. Manchester grew from strength to strength and went on to host the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

The momentum of Manchester’s growth continues today with urban regeneration schemes seemingly underway around every corner. But, as with all great cities, it is the people who really make the place special and Mancunians have a reputation for their warmth and openness.

The city supports a vibrant arts scene that has spawned such bands as the Smiths, the Stone Roses and Oasis, as well as many comedians, artists and poets. Coronation Street (Britain’s longest-running television soap opera) is set in Manchester and has been a huge global success with a dedicated fan base around the world. The city is also famed for its footballing talent, with Manchester United one of the richest and most successful clubs in the world over the last 10-15 years.

The city’s incredible fusion of different styles, trends and ideas has attracted a thriving gay community and one of the largest student populations in Europe. With a distinct urban flavour and an abundance of youthful energy, modern-day Manchester is viewed by many as England’s ‘second city’ and rightfully vies with its neighbours in the battle to be crowned the capital of the north.

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Feature

Guide

Public Transport

Due to its relatively small size and the amount there is for visitors to see at ground level, Manchester is a great city to explore on foot (good pocket maps are available free of charge from the Tourist Information Centre, see Sightseeing Overview). But the local travel network ran by PublicTransport for Greater Manchester (GMPTE) (tel: 0870 608 2608; website: www.gmpte.com) is excellent, offering a comprehensive range of bus, train and tram services throughout the city.

The main bus station is at the recently redeveloped Piccadilly Gardens, slightly to the east of the city centre. Free Metroshuttle services operate along three circular routes in the city, linking the main attractions as well as the city’s four railway stations. Pedestrians should also keep an eye out for the trams that operate through the city centre with services out to Bury in the north, Altrincham in the south and Salford Quays (close to Old Trafford cricket and football grounds) and Eccles in the west.

Night services operate along the main routes on Friday and Saturday nights. Day Tickets and Travelcards allowing unlimited bus and rail travel for seven days, a month or a year are also available from GMPTE.

Taxis

There are two types of taxis in Manchester: five-passenger black cabs operated through the local council and four-passenger private hire cars. Officially, only the black cabs can be flagged on the street or use one of the many taxi ranks located throughout the city in the town centre at all the major train and bus stations. Private hire cars are usually slightly cheaper than black cabs but should be booked in advance and officially shouldn’t be flagged down in the streets or use the taxi ranks. To prebook a black cab call Mantax (tel: (0161) 230 3333). For private taxis, try Street Cars (tel: (0161) 228 7878) or Taxifone (tel: (0161) 236 2322), both located close to the city centre.

Car Hire

There are numerous car hire companies operating in Manchester. Avis (tel: (0161) 236 6716; website: www.avis.co.uk), Europcar (tel: (0161) 436 2200; website: www.europcar.co.uk) and Hertz (tel: 0870 850 2652; website: www.hertz.co.uk) all have offices either at the airport, in the city or both.

Bicycle Hire

Oybike (tel: 0845 226 5751; website: www.oybike.com) operates in the city allowing visitors to hire out bikes via a mobile phone. The Oybikes are docked at special stations and can be unlocked via a code (issued from the call centre) typed into the onboard keypad. When the bike is returned to a docking station, a code is displayed on the keypad which must be telephoned back to the call centre which terminates the rental period. Rental periods begin at just 15 minutes but can be extended for up to 24-hours, and multiple day rentals are also available.

Introduction

The city boasts many top class theatres, including the Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square (tel: (0161) 833 9833; website: www.royalexchange.co.uk), the Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square (tel: (0161) 236 7110; website: www.librarytheatre.com) and the Opera House, Quay Street (tel: 0870 401 9000).

Away from the city centre, the Contact Theatre, Devas Street, off Oxford Road (tel: (0161) 274 0600; website: www.contact-theatre.org) and the Green Room, Whitworth Street West (tel: (0161) 615 0500; website: www.greenroomarts.org) are great places to see more experimental theatre and dance performances.

The impressive Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street (tel: (0161) 907 9000; website: www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk) is the home of the famous Hallé Orchestra and a great place to experience classical music performances.

There are some great comedy clubs dotted around the city, including the Frog andBucket, 102 Oldham Street (tel: (0161) 236 9805; website: www.frogandbucket.com).

For quieter nights, head to the excellent Corner House Cinema, Oxford Road (tel: (0161) 200 1500; website: www.cornerhouse.org) for its great programme of art house cinema. For mainstream releases try the Odeon, Printworks, 27 Withy Grove (tel: 0871 2244 007; website: www.odeon.co.uk) multiscreen cinema.

For the latest information on club nights, theatre performances, gigs, cinema listings and restaurant reviews, check out the Manchester Evening News (website: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment).