When you say Manchester, that really rings a bell, since it is known for being the first industrialized city in Europe, a World Heritage Site thanks to its network of canals and mills or, as people simply think of it, the Capital of the North, a centre of art, media and commerce. After London and Edinburgh, Manchester is the third most visited city in the United Kingdom.
It’s also the home of the world famous Manchester United soccer team and the not quite so famous Manchester City team. The both teams are well supported from within the local area and also from across the UK. It makes this city a real soccer stronghold in the north of the country.
The Curved Exterior of the Manchester Library
Like many other settlements with very old history, Manchester started as a simple Roman fortification. It kept its defenses with the transformation into a manor house and a Church College in the 15th century. Part of Manchester’s past evolution is also related to the waves of Flemish settlers that put the foundation for the later cotton industry. With every passing decade, Manchester was flourishing.
However, we cannot speak of Manchester’s golden age until the second part of the 19th century, and the vestiges of the accelerated growth it knew at the time charm the present-day tourists. Most of the great buildings in Manchester like the Town Hall for instance date back from this period. Parallel with the economical outbreak came the cultural blooming of the city.
A more in-depth view of Manchester’s sights will definitely convince you that this is one great touristic centre worth visiting. It is a true representative of the Victorian age, particularly in the architecture, and the perfect image you can get as a tourist is near Albert Square, close to the Bridgewater Canal. Most of the buildings here carry the imprint of an architectural trend that touched other European cities such as Venice for instance.
Our next stop is Albert Square, absolutely representative of the Victorian age. Situated at the very heart of the city, it is one of the spots that saw the making of history. I’m talking about the peaceful workers’ march in 1819, that was quashed with violence. One interesting place to visit here is the railway station-turned-exhibition, best known as the G-Mex Exhibition.
As all tourists shall see, the charm of Manchester comes from its being a city of the modern. What the city’s lacks in antiquities, it definitely compensates in the unique atmosphere so specific to a past of hard work. The Urban Heritage Park will exemplify what I mean. Take the time to have a look at an industrial past that escapes stereotypes as it appears in Castlefield, and then you’ll learn a new meaning of industrial landscape.
Millennium Bridge and Lowry Centre, Salford Quays, Manchester
Let’s take as a real example the case of Manchester’s former docks. Known as the Salford Quays, these is now a great area of pubs, clubs and restaurants that any tourist would absolutely enjoy. If you happen to visit Manchester in October, you’re in for a real treat, as there is the annual Food and Drink Festival going on for ten full days. Usually, tourists highly appreciate the themed menus and the events to which they can take part.
Good food goes well together with great entertainment, you can choose between live jazz representations in pubs or classic music concerts at the Bridgewater Hall. For those tourists who appreciate fun shopping, there is one great central area where you can absolutely spoil yourself. The Market Street forms the core of the retail area where you’ll find House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer and many more.