Experience
Great Britain

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : MANCHESTER

An industrial city full of music and football

Manchester is one of the largest cities in England, nestled near the Peak District in the rugged North West. It boasts an industrial heritage, seen today in warehouse conversions and the locals’ down-to-earth attitude. Sports and music are prominent in Manchester, with two world-favourite football teams calling the city home

BEHIND THE SCENES OF FOOTBALL

Football is a religion in Manchester, and the city is known for its passionate supporters. It’s home to not one but two world-class clubs: Manchester United and Manchester City.

Manchester United was formed in 1878 by a railway company. Manchester City, hot on their heels, was formed two years later to give young people in the area something to do. Each has iconic colours, red and blue, and a modern stadium in Manchester.

Old Trafford is home to Manchester United, and the Etihad Stadium is home to Manchester City. The two iconic stadiums offer guided tours during the day, plus audio guides in other languages for non-English speakers. Tours include visiting the clubs’ exhibition space showcasing all of their victories, press rooms, changing rooms and VIP areas. Walk through the tunnel and sit in the dugout where Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola and more football icons have watched the action. Both tours last about an hour and a half. Now you just have to pick your side!

Must-sees in Manchester

MANCHESTER MUSEUM

This neo-Gothic-style museum houses archaeological, anthropological and natural history pieces located on Oxford Road. On display are numerous prehistoric fossils, a vivarium dedicated to conserving reptiles and amphibians and even a colossal 70-million-year-old T-rex.

MANCHESTER ART GALLERY

Opened in 1824, this historic art gallery spans three buildings. It’s known for its works of art from the Victorian era and collections dedicated to decorative arts and clothing. Its 25,000 objects on display include paintings from Turner, Bacon, Gauguin, Renoir and many more.

JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY

Located on Deansgate, this Victorian-style library feels like a manor house or a neo-Gothic cathedral. It’s a treasure trove of ancient books. Some things on display include the oldest extract from the New Testament, a collection of clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia and documents about the French Revolution. It’s one of the world’s most beautiful public libraries.

HEATON PARK

This large park spanning 243 hectares is the perfect place for relaxation or sports with its boating lake, bowling greens, tennis courts, golf course and more. The park is located on the city’s outskirts and can be reached by tram. It’s the perfect place for a picnic and lounging on the grass.

PEOPLE’S HISTORY MUSEUM

Manchester is a city of hard work. This museum is a testimony, with its vast collection of objects that retrace the history of workers in the UK. The building is worth visiting as it’s a former hydraulic pumping station.