48 hours in Manchester

Known for its industrious history, Manchester’s recent urban regeneration projects are capitalising on a city overflowing with music, media, culinary delights and innovative architecture.

Mia Vines Booth spends 48 hours in the UK’s ‘Northern powerhouse’

Where to visit

The John Rylands Library
This working research library in Deansgate (above) is one of the finest neo-Gothic buildings in Europe. It’s cared for by the University of Manchester and hosts some of the city’s prized archives. Go for fascinating stories of underrepresented communities or just to squeeze in a study session.

Castlefield Viaduct Sky Park
Opened in 2022, the 330-metre park set across a Victorian steel viaduct was hailed as the city’s very own ‘sky garden’. It’s a striking achievement and a wonderful example of Manchester’s talent at transforming disused industrial infrastructure into flourishing public spaces. The National Trust, which oversees the ambitious project, was recently granted an extension for the space until autumn this year.

National Trust, which oversees Castlefield Viaduct, was recently granted an extension for the space until autumn this year

The Lowry Museum
The largest permanent display of LS Lowry’s collection in the world. A Manchester treasure, the artist is best known for his mill scenes and industrial landscapes. But Lowry’s work actually covers a huge range of themes and subjects including surreal imaginings and beautiful portraits. The Lowry building also hosts some of Manchester’s best theatre.

Media City
While not officially an attraction, Media City in Salford typifies the ‘new’ Manchester propelled by city leaders like mayor Andy Burnham. The 200-acre development sees Channel 4, BBC and ITV rise above the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. It’s also neighbour to the Imperial War Museum and the Lowry so is well worth a day visit.

New Islington Marina
Part of one of the latest urban regeneration projects to transform Manchester’s skyline, the New Islington Marina, located by the Northern Quarter, is a trendy new marina with characterful barges, coffee shops, restaurants and markets. Perfect for a big Sunday walk.

Where to eat and drink

Pollen
A sourdough and Viennoiserie bakery revered by the baking community, with two locations in Ancoats and near Piccadilly. Recent bakes on the menu included corn and miso cruffins, rhubarb and pistachio Danishes, and croissant butter truffles.

Pollen has two locations in Manchester

Flawd
As recommended by Laurence Lawes of St Michael’s Hill cafe Interlude, Flawd is a new natural wine bar and shop in Ancoats serving a seasonal menu of fresh ingredients.

Another Hand
A delightful 24-seat restaurant tucked away in Deansgate serving a vegetable-led responsibly sourced small plates menu. Its multiple accolades speak for themselves.

Freight Island
This foodhall in the Depot in Mayfield occupies an old warehouse also used by the Warehouse Project, offering street food stalls and a huge sports bar with a funky outdoor area to take you from day to night.

Freight Island food court is an exciting edition to Manchester’s food scene

Diecast
This bar and party venue serving frozen daiquiris and ‘neo-pan’ pizzas opened in July last year in a 250,000sq ft industrial venue near Piccadilly Station dating back to 1870. On a recent Friday night, dancers graced the overhead balconies while a DJ got the crowd grooving.

Where to shop

The Northern Quarter
A bustling rough-edged sprawl of independent shops, bars and eateries. Go to independent art and design bookshop Unitom for creative magazines and cool stationery. Head to Siop for mouth-watering savoury doughnuts, indoor market Afflecks Palace for indie commerce, and Manchester Craft & Design Centre for beautiful hand-crafted jewellery, ceramics and art straight from contemporary artists’ studios.

Manchester’s five-star boutique Hotel Gotham is a prime example of Manchester’s Art Deco neoclassical architecture

Where to stay

Hotel Gotham, 100 King Street
For those looking for bold statement luxury, this five-star art deco boutique hotel sells itself as a ‘speakeasy’ Old Hollywood experience. The building, built in 1928, and taken over by Hotel Gotham in 2015, is a prime example of Manchester’s Art Deco neoclassical architecture, and retains much of the original features including an old bank vault in the basement, where master tapes from Joy Division and New Order recording sessions were allegedly found in 2010.

Mia Vines Booth was a guest with Marketing Manchester. To find out more about Manchester, visit www.visitmanchester.com

All photos: Mia Vines Booth

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