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Manchester Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Manchester
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Manchester Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Manchester - Although now best known for its football teams,
Manchester was once one of England's greatest Victorian cities and
was the birthplace of both rail travel and Rolls Royce. It is
situated on the east bank of the Irwell River, in the north east of
the country, and is the centre of a huge metropolitan area, which
now encompasses the surrounding towns of Bury, Bolton, Wigan,
Rochdale, Salford, Stockport and Oldham. Liverpool is just 30 miles
(48km) down river. The area has long had a reputation as a drab,
industrialised sprawl, but Manchester has succeeded in reinventing
itself, becoming a vibrant metropolis with nightlife second only to
London. The city boasts more than 50 free museums and galleries, a
world-class sports centre that recently hosted the Commonwealth
Games, and plenty of parks, gardens and other
attractions.
The city's architecture is largely
a reminder of its central role in the cotton trade and many of the
original warehouses can still be seen, although modern-day
Manchester is now very different from its heyday as an industrial
hub. When the city centre was badly damaged in an IRA bombing in
1996, much of the central area was beautifully renovated. Now
renamed the Millennium Quarter, it is a marvellous contrast of
splendid Victorian architecture and towering glass edifices,
including the eye-catching Urbis exhibition centre.
Manchester City and Manchester United are two of the
biggest football clubs in England and Old Trafford (home to
Manchester United) has become a huge tourist destination. For those
more interested in arts and culture than football, the new Lowry
complex in Salford Quays boasts a fantastic selection of art
galleries and theatres. The city also plays host to countless
events, concerts, festivals and parades, is home to world-class
bars and restaurants, and has plenty of shops and markets.
Manchester is also home to the United Kingdom's largest Chinatown,
and a vibrant and friendly Gay Village, concentrated around Canal
and Chorlton Streets.
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Manchester
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Peak District
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What is it? The Peak District was England's first
national park. This beautiful region sits in the central and
northern parts of England, largely within picturesque Derbyshire.
Diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife and a rich historic heritage
combine with busy market towns and thriving cities such as
Sheffield and Manchester. With over 22 million visitors annually,
the Peak District is a major UK tourist destination, and the Peak
District National Park is the second most visited park in the
world. The District is generally divided into three main areas,
each with its own distinctive topography. White Peak in the south
is characterised by its limestone landscapes with a blend of flat
plateaus and gentle valleys, while the South West Peak is a mix of
hay meadows and moorland. The most sparsely populated area is Dark
Peak in the north, where dramatic gritstone plateaus, craggy edges
and ridges contrast with deep valleys. The whole region is rife
with quaint towns, majestic historic homes, old mills and museums,
as well as plenty to please the outdoor enthusiast, including
top-class rock climbing, caving and fly fishing. Visitors can enjoy
an authentic Bakewell pudding in Bakewell, take a leisurely hot air
balloon ride for a bird's eye view, mountain bike in the Hope
Valley near Charleston or travel back in time in an impressive
country manor. It is not hard to see why the Peak District is so
immensely popular and it is well worth spending some time exploring
its many treasures.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Urbis
Corporation Street, Cathedral Gardens
www.urbis.org.uk |
What is it? Nestled in the heart of Manchester, Urbis is
a unique and interesting concept - an exhibition centre of city
life across the globe, created as part of an urban regeneration
project. Featuring interactive exhibits and fascinating
exhibitions, the uber-modern glass building, sometimes described as
a 'glass ski slope,' is an immediate Manchester landmark and
visitors are drawn not only to the exhibits, but also to the
building itself. The gallery on level one hosts different
exhibitions, while levels two, three and four house permanent
exhibits and displays. Levels five and six house Le Mont
Restaurant, providing incredible views of the city, as well as fine
dining, and there is also The Social, a restaurant and late night
venue that features live bands, DJs and
more.
Hours of Operation: Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 6pm; Thursday to Saturday
10am to 8pm
Phone:(0)161 605 8200 |
3. Old Trafford
Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford
www.manutd.com |
What is it? Nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford
is home to one of the premier English football clubs, Manchester
United and since 1878, has been the heart and soul of the club.
More than 200,000 visitors come each year to marvel at the home of
the likes of Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, and share in some of
the Man U magic. Guided tours of the stadium run every 10 minutes
and the award-winning museum is chock-full of fascinating trivia,
memorabilia and interactive exhibits, guaranteed to delight fans
and perhaps even win over a few new ones. The Red Café, in the
North Stand of the stadium, is open daily and serves up delicious
food for those needing replenishment, while the Megastore in the
East Stand sells every conceivable type of Man U branded
item.
Hours of Operation: Guided stadium tours daily 9.40am to 4.30pm; Museum
daily 9.30am to 5pm
Phone:(0)870 442 1994 |
Manchester
holidays - Top Events
1. V Festival Staffordshire
From 2007-08-01
To 2007-08-31
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What is it? Richard Branson's answer to the popular music
festivals during the British summers offers many of the biggest
live acts from around the world. The festival is noted for its
professionalism, and low queuing times ensuring its sold-out status
every year. Like the Carling festivals, this one has a sibling
festival too, with acts playing on alternate days, held in Hylands
Park, Chelmsford.
Where is it? Weston Park, Staffordshire |
2. Eurocultured
From 2007-05-01
To 2007-05-31
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What is it? The city of Manchester hosts a celebration of
European Culture throughout the city with an array of live
performances over two massive days. DJ's from all over Europe
descend on the city to entertain the tens of thousands of gatherers
all night long while a variety of other live music performances
including cabaret and dance captivate during the
day.
Where is it? New Wakefield Street, Pure Space, The Font, Thirsty Scholar,
Greenroom |
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