A day in Manchester - museums, pubs, things to do?

[miss direct]

Now I get a day off in the week, I'm trying to make use of it and am planning to take the bus (the journey itself through Snakes pass looks fun) to Manchester for the day. I've only been to Manchester once, more than 20 years ago. I'm after museums, art, cultural stuff and food - somewhere I can happily sit alone, preferably outside. And parks. Would appreciate any suggestions as I know for many things you have to book a slot to visit.

 

[killer b]

The main city art gallery in town is pretty good, I always enjoy a trip round it - I'd imagine it'll be pretty busy though, dunno about booking slots. Worth dropping into the city library opposite too, just to spend a little time in the reading room which is breathtaking IMO.

The Whitworth is further out and is usually a lot quieter (and is personally my favourity manc museum) - it's collection is more modern/contemporary if that's your thing. It's in the middle of a very nice park too.

The walk out to the Whitworth will take you past the Manchester Museum (which is attached to Manchester University) - it's worth a trawl round, they have some decent egyptian stuff, and a number of curious victorian collections on display, plus lots and lots of stuffed animals.

Out Salford way there's the People's History Museum, which is great - they have a spectacular collection of union banners, and lots of interesting displays about workers power and the like.

what kind of food do you like? there's lots of options

 

[miss direct]

Thanks really useful! Apart from Salford, I'm guessing that all these places are walkable from the centre?
I like all food really... just good quality interesting stuff, preferably local or something I cant get already in Sheffield. Not that I ever really eat out here anyway.

 

[A380]

As above. Plus the science museum is great. It's kind of several museums in one, galleries about the textile industry, transport and computers and then over the road in an annexe the contribution the NW made to aviation. The whole place is good for half a day or so.

In Salford Quays the Lowery is good and then the Imperial War Museum doesn't have that many artefacts but is an amazing building and delivers a very powerful narrative. Definitely worth a visit.

Food wise the long standing Chinese links mean there are some great restaurants with different Chinese cuisines, but like any big city you can get most food you want...

Pre 'Rona there were free mini busses that ran all round the city centre and to Piccadilly. Not sure if they are still running as they made it easy to get to the library, galleries and (non Salford) museums - You can get to Salford by tram.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Good suggestions by KillerB and the Museum of Science and Industry is great.

The John Rylands Library is magnificent - like a cathedral to books. Again, not sure of entrance times/bookings but both of these are free.

Chetham's Library is also worth visiting if it's open. Ditto the Portico Library.

There is a little Police Museum on Lever Street which bizarrely is only open on Tuesdays. A really small place but interesting to see an old victorian type station.

 

[chilango]

People's History Museum.

Unless it's moved since I was last there it's a couple of minutes walk across the Irwell from the city centre.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

There is the Chinese Arts Centre in the norther quarter too.

Working Class Movement Library is just over the border into Salford.

 

[killer b]

Thanks really useful! Apart from Salford, I'm guessing that all these places are walkable from the centre?
I like all food really... just good quality interesting stuff, preferably local or something I cant get already in Sheffield. Not that I ever really eat out here anyway.

Salford is walkable from the centre too - just in the opposite direction...

TBH where I'd suggest to eat really depends on your museum itinerary. If you go down to The Whitworth the restaurant in the gallery itself is good, or there's my favourite chinese the Red Chilli over the road, or there's a load of streetfood places in one of those boxpark places under the mancunian way inbetween the city centre and the university area.

If you're staying close to the centre I'd take a short stroll into Ancoats and have brunch at Trove, which is Manchester's best sourdough bakery, or at Pollen, which is Manchester's second best sourdough bakery (there isn't much in it tbh, both are pretty lush and Pollen probably has the most pleasing location to eat), or I'd go into chinatown and get pork buns at Mr Wongs Bakery.

 

[killer b]

The Whitworth is further out and is usually a lot quieter (and is personally my favourity manc museum) - it's collection is more modern/contemporary if that's your thing. It's in the middle of a very nice park too.

I went to the Whitworth on the weekend and they've only got a single exhibit at the moment, a pretty indifferent video art piece - not worth bothering trekking all the way out there I don't think. the full gallery is supposedly opening in July

 

[lazythursday]

Central Manchester is rubbish for parks/green spaces (though there is a new one being built near Piccadilly Station). My favourite spot to just sit and take everything in is probably by the canals in Castlefield (lots of amazing industrial heritage) - close to Science Museum / not far from People's History Museum). You can walk from the city centre down the canal to Castlefield which is a nice 20-30 min stroll.

I also love visiting Salford Quays where you can do the Lowry and Imperial War Musuem, and wander round the old quays - easy tram ride from the centre but getting there and back and looking round will take most of your day.

I think if I was showing someone round who was new to Manchester I'd take them round the Northern Quarter, then down through Canal St / gay village, and across to the Library and Town Hall which are stunning buildings - and finish off down in Castlefield. Really not much point visiting the central area from the Arndale down to Spinningfields as there's nothing much to see there you can't see in any other city.

 

[Jay Park]

Central Manchester is rubbish for parks/green spaces (though there is a new one being built near Piccadilly Station). My favourite spot to just sit and take everything in is probably by the canals in Castlefield (lots of amazing industrial heritage) - close to Science Museum / not far from People's History Museum). You can walk from the city centre down the canal to Castlefield which is a nice 20-30 min stroll.

I also love visiting Salford Quays where you can do the Lowry and Imperial War Musuem, and wander round the old quays - easy tram ride from the centre but getting there and back and looking round will take most of your day.

I think if I was showing someone round who was new to Manchester I'd take them round the Northern Quarter, then down through Canal St / gay village, and across to the Library and Town Hall which are stunning buildings - and finish off down in Castlefield. Really not much point visiting the central area from the Arndale down to Spinningfields as there's nothing much to see there you can't see in any other city.

no there's the old Roman Park worth checkng out east/south east of the Science Museum.

try the Town Hall and Central Library for their insides.

farmerbarleymow do those free centre buses run anymore?

if you come out at Picadilly turn left up the concourse and have a gaze at London st fire station.

anyone mentioned the Lowry Musuem?

 

[killer b]

no there's the old Roman Park worth checkng out east/south east of the Science Museum.

that's castlefield

 

[Jay Park]

Central Manchester is rubbish for parks/green spaces (though there is a new one being built near Piccadilly Station). My favourite spot to just sit and take everything in is probably by the canals in Castlefield (lots of amazing industrial heritage) - close to Science Museum / not far from People's History Museum). You can walk from the city centre down the canal to Castlefield which is a nice 20-30 min stroll.

I also love visiting Salford Quays where you can do the Lowry and Imperial War Musuem, and wander round the old quays - easy tram ride from the centre but getting there and back and looking round will take most of your day.

I think if I was showing someone round who was new to Manchester I'd take them round the Northern Quarter, then down through Canal St / gay village, and across to the Library and Town Hall which are stunning buildings - and finish off down in Castlefield. Really not much point visiting the central area from the Arndale down to Spinningfields as there's nothing much to see there you can't see in any other city.

John Ryland's library on Corporation st. is a deffo which is right next to Spinningfields. Also leads you too...

Toms ChopHouse

52 Cross Street, Manchester 0161 832 2245

www.manchestersfinest.com

 

[Jay Park]

that's castlefield

sometimes you just know a place as 'there' or 'behind blah blah'.

Ancoats might be worth a shout but there's been a weird new not-quite-yuppy scene transplanted there with a load of rah-rahs sunning themselves on the grass on sunny days. You can have a walk down the Rochdale canal though which is before toys'r'us.

When I was there the peace was disturbed by a group of lads from the estate chasing a heroin addict off screaming 'stop shootin' up in front of the kids'

 

[hitmouse]

Could have a look at the Engels statue, there's not many of them about and it's definitely outdoors. Come to think of it, the Atlas Obscura guide to Manchester is probably worth a look in general.

 

[lazythursday]

Meh. Tom's ChopHouse is overpriced and underwhelming.

I must admit that despite having lived in Manchester and worked there for most of my adult life I've never been inside John Ryland's Library which is very remiss of me.

Ancoats was a lot more interesting when it was derelict, but still worth visiting, but wouldn't be on my list for a first time day trip.

 

[Jay Park]

Meh. Tom's ChopHouse is overpriced and underwhelming.

I must admit that despite having lived in Manchester and worked there for most of my adult life I've never been inside John Ryland's Library which is very remiss of me.

Ancoats was a lot more interesting when it was derelict, but still worth visiting, but wouldn't be on my list for a first time day trip.

I see everbody else getting likes but my suggestions getting questioned. Proper sad.

 

[lazythursday]

I see everbody else getting likes but my suggestions getting questioned. Proper sad.

well you did start by criticising what I posted, but whatever. I completely agree with you on the Town Hall / Library, and the fort on castlefield (despite its fakeness, I like the juxtaposition with the railway viaducts, periods of history colliding)

 

[killer b]

I see everbody else getting likes but my suggestions getting questioned. Proper sad.

chill out ffs

 

[farmerbarleymow]

@farmerbarleymow do those free centre buses run anymore?

Seem to be

free bus

free bus – free travel around Manchester city centre

tfgm.com

 

[Jay Park]

well you did start by criticising what I posted, but whatever. I completely agree with you on the Town Hall / Library, and the fort on castlefield (despite its fakeness, I like the juxtaposition with the railway viaducts, periods of history colliding)

that honestly wasn't meant as a crticism, maybe it's my brash Lower Broughton schooling. Apologies if it came across as such.

 

[miss direct]

I might actually get around to doing this next week! Thanks for all the tips.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Seem to be

i remember it being these things

 

[Jay Park]

I might actually get around to doing this next week! Thanks for all the tips.

Enjoy yourself, whatever you get up to.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

if buses are your thing there is this place (cheetham hill, north manchester) -

Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester

Discover Greater Manchester's public road transport history! Fascinating display of buses, coaches, trams & historic objects inside a 1930s bus garage. Period Tea Room and Shop, plus take a free trip on our buses on certain days throughout the year...

motgm.uk

they do (possibly not at the moment) have some days when they get buses out and about to ride on

or trams at heaton park

Heaton Park Tramway

hptramway.co.uk

or steam trains a shortish tram ride away at bury

The East Lancashire Railway

(haven't looked to see what any of them are doing at the moment)

 

[Jay Park]

Thing wi

if buses are your thing there is this place (cheetham hill, north manchester) -

Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester

Discover Greater Manchester's public road transport history! Fascinating display of buses, coaches, trams & historic objects inside a 1930s bus garage. Period Tea Room and Shop, plus take a free trip on our buses on certain days throughout the year...

motgm.uk

they do (possibly not at the moment) have some days when they get buses out and about to ride on

or trams at heaton park

Heaton Park Tramway

hptramway.co.uk

or steam trains a shortish tram ride away at bury

The East Lancashire Railway

(haven't looked to see what any of them are doing at the moment)

thing with those options is Bury would be a whole day, and Heaton Park not far off.

The old train at HP is a good 25 min walk from the Metrolink, unless you get a bus to drop you Middleton Way side up from Crumpsall.

 

[Jay Park]

i remember it being these things

Someone mentioned on another thread about their disappointment when GM buses went white and orange but it's all I remember them as.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Someone mentioned on another thread about their disappointment when GM buses went white and orange but it's all I remember them as.

yes, started in the late 60s when the metropolitan county based passenger transport executives were formed, and absorbed all the smaller corporations. SELNEC (SE Lancs + NE Cheshire) chose orange because none of the corporations had used orange in their livery. West Midlands PTE took a different approach and the 'new' livery was based on the old Birmingham City Transport livery, which didn't go down so well in Wolverhampton and so on...

 

[hitmouse]

Oh, and the Jewish Museum was closed for refurbishment for ages but is meant to be reopening in July, while they were closed they had some of their collection on display in the central library but not sure if that's still happening. That's also in Cheetham Hill, so if you visited from July onwards and wanted a day of like buses and Judaica you could do that I suppose?

 

[Jay Park]

Oh, and the Jewish Museum was closed for refurbishment for ages but is meant to be reopening in July, while they were closed they had some of their collection on display in the central library but not sure if that's still happening. That's also in Cheetham Hill, so if you visited from July onwards and wanted a day of like buses and Judaica you could do that I suppose?

And the Polish Church up there too, plus dynamic Cheetham Hill in all its glory