Medieval Quarter, Manchester
Creative TouristThe Medieval Quarter, or Cathedral Quarter as it is sometimes known, is one of the oldest parts of Manchester and home to some historic gems and cultural must-sees.
Our top picks
Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral is, according to the Pevsner Architectural Guide, “one of the most impressive examples in England of a late medieval collegiate church”. Open all year round, it’s a venue for worship and music events alike — a monument to all of Manchester’s saints and sinners.
Cathedral Gardens
Cathedral Gardens is a partially lawned public space in Manchester city centre. Located between Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum, it provides a precious hint of green space in this area.
National Football Museum
The National Football Museum is one of Manchester and the UK’s top attractions. Visitors can explore the whole world of football across several floors of changing exhibitions, vast collections of memorabilia and impressive interactive installations.
The Corn Exchange
Showcasing all its original Edwardian beauty with a modern twist, The Corn Exchange is something of a food destination, housing a number of great restaurants, from Banyan Bar & Kitchen to Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar.
Chetham’s Library
Chetham’s is the oldest surviving public library in the country – and the esteemed ancestor of Central Library.
The Stoller Hall
The relative baby in the family of Manchester’s classically-inclined concert halls, The Stoller Hall opened its doors in April 2017 to further enhance the city’s already enviable live music provision.
Where to go in Manchester
City Centre
Stow
Stow is a new fire-based restaurant on Bridge Street in Manchester, from the team behind Trof.
Manchester
Merseyway Shopping Centre
Merseyway is built on giant stilts over the river Mersey – hence the name! It was one of the first shopping centres to open in 1965 and was refurbished in 1995. Merseyway are proud of their heritage and their role in continuing to attract visitors to Stockport. They strive to live up to the brand promise “famous brands, fabulously close”.
Altrincham
Millington Hall Farm
Millington Hall Farm is a one of a kind destination offering field to fork dining alongside learning experiences that will stay with you long after your visit.
Manchester
MAYA Manchester Restaurant
MAYA is a high-end new restaurant on the corner of Canal Street and Chorlton Street in central Manchester.
King Street
Gail’s Bakery King Street
Popular craft bakery, selling freshly baked goods on Manchester’s King Street.
Manchester
SEA LIFE Manchester
Perfect for families, dive into the stories of the oceans’ most fascinating residents, including clownfish, stingrays, sharks and sea turtles.
Manchester
Off The Square
Set in the beating heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Off The Square is state-of-the-art music and events space that plays host to live gigs as well as club nights.
Manchester
SEESAW
SEESAW is a co-working space, events venue and café.
Manchester
Louis Restaurant
A Rat Pack-style restaurant with of live music and upscale Italian-American dining, and strictly no phones.
Manchester
Niwa Yakitori
Charcoal grill yakitori supper club held in a beautiful Tokyo-style backstreet cafe in the North Quarter.
City Centre
Armenian Taverna and Restaurant
Long-standing restaurant on Albert Square in Manchester, now in its sparkly new street-level location.
Manchester
Aether Manchester Airport
Swerve the queues at Manchester Airport, while enjoying food and drink curated by The French’s Adam Reid.
Manchester Visitor Guides
Manchester Restaurant Deals
Manchester's restaurants are bending over backwards to create deals that take the sting out of eating out. Here are the best of the bunch for January.
Free family things to do in Manchester
The world's at your fingertips with free history, art, science and creative capers for all ages in Manchester.
Things to Do in Altrincham
Plan a day out down Altrincham way, and you’ll soon find that one day isn’t nearly enough. Getting there is easy on the tram, or how about cycling along the...
Beer Gardens in Manchester & Salford
Make the most of the sun in one of Manchester's many top-notch beer gardens.
Bars in Manchester
The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.
Roof Terraces in Manchester
Best roof terrace in Manchester? We know the lot, and we're willing to share our hard-earned information.
Tasting Menus in The North
Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.
Music Venues in Manchester
Manchester is still a great place to watch new and innovative music – so here’s a guide to where to watch the best live music in the city.
Sunday Roasts in Manchester
Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.
Breakfast in Manchester
Manchester is strong with the breakfast force, and has some impressive form where brunch is concerned. Here’s our pick of the city’s morning glories.
Manchester District Guides
Spotlight on
Things to do in Blackpool
Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Take me thereDestination Guides
Culture Guides
Music in the North
Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.
Exhibitions in the North
From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.
Cinema in the North
Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.
Theatre in the North
From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Tours and Activities in the North
Get creative, allow yourself to be curious and learn something new with this month's tours and activities guide.
Food and Drink in the North
Looking for the best winter meals the North has to offer? This month's guide to food and drink has the lot.
Family things to do in the North
As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.
Literature Events in the North
It might be chilly out there, but we're shining our lantern light on some events that will warm the cockles.