Travel Tips

We stayed in a business-class hotel on Clippers Quay (see my accomodation tip), which made walking along the old ship canals easy. The area has been spruced up and it's an interesting stroll. We were there in mid-March and the weather was decent. There wasn't a lot of sun, but there was no rain and a jacket was enough to be comfortable. When the sun did come out, it was warm enough to take off your jacket, but with the clouds and a breeze, you were glad to have the extra layer.

This is the view from across the canal. As you can see, there are many modern buildings. This picture also proves that we did see a bit of sun while we were there.

This is a pedestrian bridge over one of the canals. It is next to the Lowry art museum and a new "outlet" shopping mall. They are still building luxury apartments adjacent to the mall--they are going to have wonderful views!

This is The Lowry--a spectacular-looking museum dedicated to the work of a local artist. Given our limited time, we chose to explore the city of Manchester rather than visit this museum. It is on our list for the next trip . . .

Well, you know it was never far from our minds (and hearts!) during our visit--here is a view of Old Trafford from the far side of the canal.

Continue on for a look at other Manchester attractions.

We started our one-day tour of the city in Castlefield, the oldest section of the city. There is still evidence of Roman settlements and an attempt has been made to restore some of these areas. We took the Metrolink tram to the GMEX station and came upon some displays right outside the platform area. My impression (someone living there will surely know better) is that what started as a wonderful idea ran out of steam (or money) somewhere along the line. Some of the signs are quite worn and things aren't kept up as nicely as one would expect. It's still an interesting area and this is a picture of one of the old canals.

And, before the Romans . . .
Actually, this is a special exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry. We kept seeing adverts for it "Dinosaurs are Back!" so we figured we'd better cough up the 3 pounds each and see it. We should have known when the museum guy asked us if we had any children with us . . . the "exhibit" was a room full of animatronic dinosaurs. While the 6-and-under set seemed to love it, we were a bit underwhelmed. However, there were a couple of excellent gore scenes like this one.

Given Manchester's rich industrial history, it makes sense that they would have a wonderful Museum of Science and Industry. Spread out over several buildings (including one that housed the very first passenger railway station in the world) and organized into different sections (electricity, textiles, technology, etc.), the museum is free and worth a visit. You can also check your email and play on the museum's website in a special computer area. This photo is of a mural painted on the outside of one of the buildings in the complex.

While full of old, historic buildings and remnants of an industrial age gone by, Manchester is also steaming ahead into the 21st century. In this picture you can see a new AMC movie complex among the older buildings on the block.

Naturally that dinosaur exhibit made us hungry, so we ducked into a pub up the road from the museum for sustenance. The White Lion served up a hot lunch, a cold ale, and the Arsenal match. It seemed a cozy neighborhood kind of place.

After properly fueling ourselves with the optimal mix of beef and ale, we headed up to the cathedral via the old town hall. As we walked, we passed all sorts of beautiful buildings--this one is now a Crowne Plaza hotel. I only wish the light were better for the photos . . .

The Town Hall is truly a remarkable, huge building fronting onto a lovely open square. It was getting on in the afternoon (quarter past 3 if you look closely) and it was a cloudy day, so the pictures lack the contrast to do justice to the architecture.

This is a detail of the Town Hall.

Here is more construction going on, up near the cathedral and near the area destroyed in 1996 by an IRA bomb. Old buildings and new construction are nestled side-by-side.

This area is a mix of old and new. In addition to the 1996 IRA bomb, this area suffered a great deal of damage during World War II as well. There are now posh shops cuddled up to the oldest building (a pub, of course) in Manchester, as well as the outdoor sculptures you can see in the foreground here that celebrate the city's industrial heritage.

Are you thirsty yet? Here is the oldest building in Manchester--the Old Wellington Inn (at the back). The taller half-timbered building in front is another pub. Stop in and have a pint and imagine that people have been doing just that, right where you're standing, for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Here is the Printworks--a sort of indoor-but-outdoor restaurant and club arcade. The old newspaper printing building has been turned into a hub of nightlife. The place was hopping with activity, and you can find all sorts of food from Indonesian to Cajun. It reminded me a little of a science fiction movie set! The ceiling is extraordinarily high and they shine light patterns on it. Just stroll along and duck into whatever club or restaurant strikes your fancy.

Saving the best for last . . .
The last two pictures are of Manchester Cathedral. As I've said, it was getting late on an already grey day, so these photos aren't the best. But the Cathedral was simply beautiful. We walked through the inside, as well, and the stained glass and wood carving craftsmanship is stunning. It was Holy Week when we were there and we were lucky enough to catch the choir and organist rehearsing. When the organ hits those big, deeeeeep notes the floor of the Cathedral vibrates. Given that my husband and I had each lost a parent in the previous three months, and it was nearly Easter, visiting the Cathedral was a moving experience. Don't miss it.