Guidebook for Greater Manchester
Parks & Nature
Great local park, you can get a coffee in there too.
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Alexandra Park station
Great local park, you can get a coffee in there too.
Another great local park, a bit out of Chortlon. There is a great coffee place in there and a Petting Zoo
Longford Park
Longford ParkAnother great local park, a bit out of Chortlon. There is a great coffee place in there and a Petting Zoo
A really nice long walk will take you to this great nature spot
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Chorlton Water Park
74 Maitland AveA really nice long walk will take you to this great nature spot
There's loads of great countryside just outside of manchester, and if you fancy getting out of the city this is a really good option. It's village just into the country from Manchester, and it's connected to the sprawl of Manchester by a steam train!!
First the tram to bury, where there's also a massive indoor market and a good contemporary art gallery focused on sculpture. Then get the steam train to Ramsbottom (there's a really good pub on the platform. In Ramsbottom itself there's some great pubs and food options, and some good walks.
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Ramsbottom
There's loads of great countryside just outside of manchester, and if you fancy getting out of the city this is a really good option. It's village just into the country from Manchester, and it's connected to the sprawl of Manchester by a steam train!!
First the tram to bury, where there's also a massive indoor market and a good contemporary art gallery focused on sculpture. Then get the steam train to Ramsbottom (there's a really good pub on the platform. In Ramsbottom itself there's some great pubs and food options, and some good walks.
Another good option if you want to see some countryside that's easily accessible on public transport. Hebden Bridge is a small and famously bohemian small town in the hills around Manchester. Trains run direct from Victoria Station, and once there there are great craft beer pubs, cafe's and some great walks. We reccomend the path that runs out to the graveyard where Sylvia Plath is buried if you want a nice walk that doesn't involve too many hills
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Hebden Bridge
Another good option if you want to see some countryside that's easily accessible on public transport. Hebden Bridge is a small and famously bohemian small town in the hills around Manchester. Trains run direct from Victoria Station, and once there there are great craft beer pubs, cafe's and some great walks. We reccomend the path that runs out to the graveyard where Sylvia Plath is buried if you want a nice walk that doesn't involve too many hills
The most well known hiking spot in the hills outside Manchester. You can get a train there from Piccadilly Station, and the views are amazing, but a lot of the walks are pretty serious hikes up hill, so you need to go properly prepared.
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Edale
The most well known hiking spot in the hills outside Manchester. You can get a train there from Piccadilly Station, and the views are amazing, but a lot of the walks are pretty serious hikes up hill, so you need to go properly prepared.
Fantastic country park just outside Manchester on the edge of a really nice small town in the countryside. You can get a train there from Altrincham, so it's good to combine with a trip to Altricham Market. Trains are pretty regular during on weekdays, but much less frequent on the weekend.
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Tatton Park
Fantastic country park just outside Manchester on the edge of a really nice small town in the countryside. You can get a train there from Altrincham, so it's good to combine with a trip to Altricham Market. Trains are pretty regular during on weekdays, but much less frequent on the weekend.
Essentials
Locally famous vegan supermarket - don't ask for any meat or dairy - they won't stock it. There's lots of other supermarkets nearby for everything else (Tescos/Co-Op/Morrisons etc)
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Unicorn Grocery
89 Albany RdLocally famous vegan supermarket - don't ask for any meat or dairy - they won't stock it. There's lots of other supermarkets nearby for everything else (Tescos/Co-Op/Morrisons etc)
Getting Around
Firswood station
Rye Bank RoadClosest Metrolink stop (alternatively Chortlon)
Station on the tram network. It's very easy walk to our house from here.
A day return is £3.20 (dearer before 09:30 on a weekday) to the City Centre, and unlimited travel for a day will cost about £5. It's also a really good deal to buy a weekend ticket which will cover Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday.
Make sure you buy the ticket before you board at the ticket machines at each stop. From Manchester Airport: Trams run directly to this stop, and take around 40 minutes. From Piccadilly train station: take a tram to the 'Deansgate- Castlefield' stop, then change to get to Chorlton. Trams take around 20 minutes.
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Chorlton station
Wilbraham RoadStation on the tram network. It's very easy walk to our house from here.
A day return is £3.20 (dearer before 09:30 on a weekday) to the City Centre, and unlimited travel for a day will cost about £5. It's also a really good deal to buy a weekend ticket which will cover Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday.
Make sure you buy the ticket before you board at the ticket machines at each stop. From Manchester Airport: Trams run directly to this stop, and take around 40 minutes. From Piccadilly train station: take a tram to the 'Deansgate- Castlefield' stop, then change to get to Chorlton. Trams take around 20 minutes.
Arts & Culture
Whitworth Art Gallery
Oxford RoadNationally famous art gallery
HOME - Multi-arts centre - Gallery, 5 cinemas and 2 theatres, plus good bar and restaurant.
One of the most important cinemas in the UK for arthouse and independent films, regular Q and A's with internationally important Directors and Artists.
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HOME Manchester
2 Tony Wilson PlHOME - Multi-arts centre - Gallery, 5 cinemas and 2 theatres, plus good bar and restaurant.
One of the most important cinemas in the UK for arthouse and independent films, regular Q and A's with internationally important Directors and Artists.
Fantastic, overlooked museum dedicated to working class social reform. In keeping with the radical, leftwing tradition of Manchester this museum charts the struggles of women, LGBT people, immigrant groups and the poor.
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Iziko Lomsebenzi Wabantu
Left BankFantastic, overlooked museum dedicated to working class social reform. In keeping with the radical, leftwing tradition of Manchester this museum charts the struggles of women, LGBT people, immigrant groups and the poor.
Vast museum dedicated to science and industry
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Iziko Lomfundi Nokusebenza
Liverpool RoadVast museum dedicated to science and industry
Mix of the old and the new - the best contemporary shows are upstairs on the top floor
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Manchester Art Gallery
Mosley StreetMix of the old and the new - the best contemporary shows are upstairs on the top floor
Small gallery dedicated to Chinese Contemporary Art but also NW based artists often have shows there. In the middle of the Northern Quarter
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Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art
13 Thomas StSmall gallery dedicated to Chinese Contemporary Art but also NW based artists often have shows there. In the middle of the Northern Quarter
Castlefield Gallery
2 Hewitt StMCR's longest running independent art gallery, very important to local artists
Amazing building, not to be missed in the middle of the city
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John Rylands Library
Amazing building, not to be missed in the middle of the city
Central library - another great building, check out the circular reading room upstairs
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Manchester Central Library
Saint Peter's SquareCentral library - another great building, check out the circular reading room upstairs
Worth a walk around Media City for Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry which are close by, plus the Blue Peter Garden near the Tram stop
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IWM KwaNtshonaKwazi
Trafford Wharf RoadWorth a walk around Media City for Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry which are close by, plus the Blue Peter Garden near the Tram stop
Worth popping in on the way to the Whitworth Art Gallery
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I-Museum ka-Manchester
Oxford RoadWorth popping in on the way to the Whitworth Art Gallery
Quite small gallery space and interesting live venue dedicated to Anthony Burgess, author of 'A Clockwork Orange' etc.
International Anthony Burgess Foundation
3 Cambridge StQuite small gallery space and interesting live venue dedicated to Anthony Burgess, author of 'A Clockwork Orange' etc.
Oldest library in the English speaking world, and famously where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels met to write The Communist Manifesto
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Chetham's Library
Long MillgateOldest library in the English speaking world, and famously where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels met to write The Communist Manifesto
Drinks & Nightlife
Decent Bar and good food, plenty more to choose from in chorlton!
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The Beagle
456-458 Barlow Moor RdDecent Bar and good food, plenty more to choose from in chorlton!
Good local pub in the middle of Beech Road where there are plenty of options for food and drink
The Beech Inn
72 Beech RdGood local pub in the middle of Beech Road where there are plenty of options for food and drink
Our local, and closest bar - also The Nip and Tipple and Jam Street near by
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The Hillary Step
199 Upper Chorlton RdOur local, and closest bar - also The Nip and Tipple and Jam Street near by
Great bar upstairs, usually with DJ's playing.
Great nightclub downstairs, bands in the evening, club at the weekend until early hours.
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Soup Kitchen
31-33 Spear StGreat bar upstairs, usually with DJ's playing.
Great nightclub downstairs, bands in the evening, club at the weekend until early hours.
Common
39-41 Edge StCool bar in the heart of the Northern Quarter
Old school pub, sometimes with a gig on in the back room
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Castle Hotel
66 Oldham StOld school pub, sometimes with a gig on in the back room
Lively bar, with two spaces dedicated to live music, a great rooftop terrace, super cheap pizza deals, and the best vegan 'fried chicken' sandwich in town
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YES
38 Charles StLively bar, with two spaces dedicated to live music, a great rooftop terrace, super cheap pizza deals, and the best vegan 'fried chicken' sandwich in town
If craft beer's your thing you will probably know what this is - people travel to manchester from other countries for this place - check their website for specific opening times.
Cloudwater Unit 9 Tap Room
Gidding RoadIf craft beer's your thing you will probably know what this is - people travel to manchester from other countries for this place - check their website for specific opening times.
Amazing old pub, owned by the world famous Marble Brewery.
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The Shambles
73 Rochdale RdAmazing old pub, owned by the world famous Marble Brewery.
Traditional English pub, now owned by Blackjack Brewery, serving a great selection of craft beers
The Smithfield Market Tavern
37 Swan StTraditional English pub, now owned by Blackjack Brewery, serving a great selection of craft beers
Coffee and Food Scene
Double Zero Neapolitan Pizza
368 Barlow Moor RdGreat local wood fired Pizza
Excellent Caribbean food - caters really well for Vegan and Vegetarian as well as Carnivores!
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The Drop Bar Cafe
356 Barlow Moor RoadExcellent Caribbean food - caters really well for Vegan and Vegetarian as well as Carnivores!
Zad's
354 Barlow Moor RdVegan Fast food!
Sushi Marvel
109B Manchester RdHigh quality sushi place. Like most of Chorlton caters for Vegan/Vegetarian really well
High quality Polish bakery, very popular
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Barbakan Delicatessen Ltd
67-71 Manchester RdHigh quality Polish bakery, very popular
Barbecue Cafe
486 Wilbraham RdExcellent Coffee, worth the walk to Chorlton for. They roast their own coffee too
Bakery/coffee/restaurant/bar - newly opened by local celebrity chef Mary-Ellen McTague
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The Creameries
406 Wilbraham RdBakery/coffee/restaurant/bar - newly opened by local celebrity chef Mary-Ellen McTague
Officially one of the best pizzerias in the world (According to a guy on the internet)
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McDonald's
36/38 Oxford StreetOfficially one of the best pizzerias in the world (According to a guy on the internet)
Fancy hipster bakery, does really great salads, sourdough bread and cakes. Prices are really reasonable - don't go at lunchtime unless you're prepared to cue.
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Pollen Bakery
8 New Union StFancy hipster bakery, does really great salads, sourdough bread and cakes. Prices are really reasonable - don't go at lunchtime unless you're prepared to cue.
Open at the weekend - lots of street food, vegan on a sunday, highly popular.
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GRUB at Mayfield
50 Red BankOpen at the weekend - lots of street food, vegan on a sunday, highly popular.
Great building, newly opened, amazing food but pricey.
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Mackie Mayor
1 Eagle StGreat building, newly opened, amazing food but pricey.
Best place for Indian/Pakistani food on what was known as 'the curry mile' (now more middle eastern and north african food - also check out super cheap but great Kurdish takeaways.
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Mughli Charcoal Pit
30 Wilmslow RdBest place for Indian/Pakistani food on what was known as 'the curry mile' (now more middle eastern and north african food - also check out super cheap but great Kurdish takeaways.
Falafel
26 Wilmslow RdExtremely cheap and great Palestinian food.
Close to the Whitworth Art Gallery
A must! Vegetarian South Indian food and craft beer, right in the middle of the city.
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Bundobust
61 PiccadillyA must! Vegetarian South Indian food and craft beer, right in the middle of the city.
Really good Pakistani food. The original 'Lahori Dera' in longsight is probably slightly better food wise, but in this one the back of the restaurant is decorated to look like a village in Pakistan, and there's a tractor and a giant plastic cow out front
Dera
Really good Pakistani food. The original 'Lahori Dera' in longsight is probably slightly better food wise, but in this one the back of the restaurant is decorated to look like a village in Pakistan, and there's a tractor and a giant plastic cow out front
Probably the best known of the 'rice and three' curry cafe's. These are really basic, nonsense cafes selling Pakistani / Bangladeshi food. Absolutely no-frills: plastic chairs and tables, and your choice of a mix of various curries served with rice for very little money. There are loads of these dotted around Manchester, they all have an almost identical menu, and the focus is on lunch time food so a lot of them aren't open in the evening. These curry cafe's are a real Manchester institution!
Al-Faisal Tandoori
69 Thomas StProbably the best known of the 'rice and three' curry cafe's. These are really basic, nonsense cafes selling Pakistani / Bangladeshi food. Absolutely no-frills: plastic chairs and tables, and your choice of a mix of various curries served with rice for very little money. There are loads of these dotted around Manchester, they all have an almost identical menu, and the focus is on lunch time food so a lot of them aren't open in the evening. These curry cafe's are a real Manchester institution!
Great brunch spot. But it's very small and very, very popular, so there can be a long wait for a table
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Federal Cafe Bar
9 Nicholas CroftGreat brunch spot. But it's very small and very, very popular, so there can be a long wait for a table
Brilliant Puglia Style pasta restaurant in Altrincham, a very affluent suburb where Manchester meets the countryside. Really great food, but very popular, especially at the weekend
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Sugo Pasta Kitchen
22 Shaw's RdBrilliant Puglia Style pasta restaurant in Altrincham, a very affluent suburb where Manchester meets the countryside. Really great food, but very popular, especially at the weekend
Old victorian covered market that has been converted into an upmarket street food market. Great space, and really good food, but a bit pricey as it's in a very affluent neighbourhood. You can get there on the tram, and there's a lot of other good shops, coffee places, bars and restaurants in the surrounding area.
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Imarike ye-Altrincham
Greenwood StreetOld victorian covered market that has been converted into an upmarket street food market. Great space, and really good food, but a bit pricey as it's in a very affluent neighbourhood. You can get there on the tram, and there's a lot of other good shops, coffee places, bars and restaurants in the surrounding area.
Really good Vietnamese restaurant in Ancoats. Also a good back up choice if you can't get a table at Rudy's...
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Vnam
20-26 Oldham RdReally good Vietnamese restaurant in Ancoats. Also a good back up choice if you can't get a table at Rudy's...
Small Neighbourhood tapas bar. Really good, but incredibly popular, so expect a long wait for a table in the evening at weekends. However, it's open in the afternoon as well and it's a lot quieter, so it's a good place for lunch
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Bar San Juan
56 Beech RdSmall Neighbourhood tapas bar. Really good, but incredibly popular, so expect a long wait for a table in the evening at weekends. However, it's open in the afternoon as well and it's a lot quieter, so it's a good place for lunch
Idle Hands Coffee
35 Dale StOne of the best places for coffee in Manchester
North Tea Power
36 Tib Streally great coffee
The Little Yeti
495 Barlow Moor RdNepalese Street Food
Probably the most traditional of English foods - Fish and Chips! But this place does great vegetarian and vegan options too!
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The Hip Hop Chip Shop
44 Blossom StProbably the most traditional of English foods - Fish and Chips! But this place does great vegetarian and vegan options too!
T R O V E
Stockport RoadGreat sourdough bakery, coffee shop and cafe.
Shopping
Walk along Beech Road and you'll find plenty of stuff to browse and buy.
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Beech Road
Beech RoadWalk along Beech Road and you'll find plenty of stuff to browse and buy.
Kingbee Records
519 Wilbraham RdOne for Vinyl Junkies
Very expensive but good when there's a sale on men's clothing store in the Northern quarter
Oi Polloi
63 Thomas StVery expensive but good when there's a sale on men's clothing store in the Northern quarter