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Manchester – A Fun Place For Events of All Kinds


As one of the largest cities in the UK, Manchester, in the North West, is easily accessible from all directions. Conveniently placed for Manchester Airport and with a good railway network it is particularly easy to get to for anyone who prefers not to drive.  As a large city it offers plenty of different accommodation with something to suit every budget. And with a history that can be traced back to AD 79 - when it was home to the Roman fort of Mancunium - it has plenty to offer visitors. From the Science and Industry Museum to its Art Gallery and, of course, its shops including the iconic Affleck’s (formerly Affleck’s Palace).

 

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But whatever you’re planning to do in Manchester, we’ve put together this informative guide to help you get the most out of your stay.


Spinningfields Skyline in Manchester

Travelling to Manchester

Manchester has a robust transport network, and since the introduction of the Bee Network it is very good value for travellers, Thanks to its numerous railway stations it is easy to reach, with major cities like Liverpool and Birmingham around 2 hours away.

 

National Express coaches arrive and depart Manchester on a regular basis connecting it with the rest of the country.

 

The M60 ring road connects Manchester city centre to motorways in all directions making it easy to get to the city by car. And since 2022, there is no longer a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Greater Manchester. However, parking can be difficult to find and is expensive in the city centre so you might want to try one of the Park and Ride schemes in operation around the outskirts of the city. Since the removal of the CAZ Manchester’s Clean Air Plan focuses on investing in cleaner buses and taxis and using traffic management to improve air quality so you might want to consider bus routes too.

 

Manchester accommodation

If you’re considering an overnight stay in Manchester to see something of the city while attending an event, then you’ll need to find local accommodation. There are plenty of different accommodation options available in Manchester with something to suit every budget. Here are a few suggestions:

 

  • Ibis Styles Manchester Portland (3-5 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DP) – Located in the heart of the city, this hotel is modern and comfortable. It is centrally located making it ideal for public transport links, but there is no onsite parking.


  • Stay Inn Manchester (55 Blackfriars Rd, Manchester M3 7DB) – just 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre this budget hotel is well placed for the AO Arena and has onsite (discounted) parking.


  • YHA Manchester, (Potato Wharf, Manchester M3 4NB) – A very affordable option, this Youth Hostel is located 15 minutes from the centre overlooking the canal. It offers a range of private and shared rooms and has free onsite parking.


  • Airbnb – For those looking to spend a couple of nights in Manchester an Airbnb property offers a good cost-effective solution. You will find a whole variety of properties just outside the city centre with nearby transport links; plus some options that are more centrally located.





Restaurants

Manchester is a very diverse, multicultural city. As such, the city centre, and beyond, has a fantastic range of restaurants. In addition to all of the usual chain restaurants you will find plenty of small independent eateries offering all sorts of different cuisines.

Here are just a few to get your taste buds tingling:

 

  • Eighth Day, Oxford Road (M1 7DU) – established in 1970, this workers cooperative is open until 5.30pm, and serves healthy well-balanced plant-based meals (think well filled plates) at affordable prices.


  • Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, Tib Street (M4 1LA)– An affordable restaurant specialising in grilled cheese sandwiches, ribs, and chicken tenders. This eatery is all about flavour sensations and affordable food.


  • Habesha Restaurant & Bar, Sackville Street (M1 3LZ) – This unassuming Ethiopian restaurant is a little hard to spot from the outside, however the food and service are well worth the visit and attract a very large number of returning diners.

 

If you feel like a curry, then a short bus ride from the city centre will bring you to Rusholme and the “Curry Mile” where you will find a wealth of restaurants to choose from. Let us know in the comments you fav. Curry Mile spot!

 

Things to do when attending events in Manchester

Visiting a big city like Manchester can be expensive but there are plenty of things to do for free. Many of the museums, including the Science and Industry Museum (M3 4FP), Manchester Museum (M13 3PL) and The People’s History Museum (M3 3ER) are well placed in the city centre and entry is free. They offer a good range of exhibitions with some visiting exhibitions that change from time to time so check their websites for current details.

 

Manchester is famous for its connection to the BBC and whilst its studios have moved to Media City in Salford (M50 2EQ) this is just a short tram ride away and guided walking tours are available which are suitable for all ages.

 

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