Medieval Quarter, Manchester

Creative Tourist Last Updated 4 June 2023

The 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.

Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX - Visit now

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.

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Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens, The Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG - Visit now

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.

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National Football Museum

National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3BG - Visit now

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.

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The Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, Manchester, Manchester, M4 3TR - Visit now

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.

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Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library, Long Millgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 1SB - Visit now

Chetham’s is the oldest surviving public library in the country – and the esteemed ancestor of Central Library.

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Chetham’s Library in Long Millgate in Manchester

The Stoller Hall

The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1DA - Visit now

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.

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Where to go in Manchester

Manchester

Event venue

Miru Mill

Miru Mill is an event space and micro-factory based at Churchgate Mill in Stockport.

Salford

Restaurant

Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar

Kallos is a Greek restaurant and wine bar in Salford, serving up exquisite dishes throughout the day and evening.

Manchester

Park

Centenary Gardens

The Centenary Gardens is a wonderful green space for the Old Trafford community to enjoy.

City Centre

Museum

Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions Manchester is part of the global Museum of Illusions Group, the largest and fastest-growing chain of private museums in the world.

Manchester

Bar or Pub

New Century Kitchen

Grand food hall with a superb outdoor space and a smart selection of in-house indie food traders

Ancoats

Restaurant

Bangkok Diners Club

When it comes to out-there ideas and beautiful Thai-inspired flavours, nowhere else comes close.

Manchester

Restaurant

Soap Street Pizza

Based at Nordie in Levenshulme, Soap Street Pizza put out the perfect pie: crispy base and inspired toppings.

City Centre

Restaurant

Pip
at Treehouse Manchester

Pip is the in-house restaurant at the long-awaited Treehouse Hotel, headed up by Bury-born chef, Mary-Ellen McTague.

Manchester

University

School of Digital Arts (SODA)

SODA is Manchester Metropolitan University’s a purpose‑built, interdisciplinary school that facilitates the study of new media.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Manchester

Restaurant

Winsome

Winsome delivers modern British food, cooked beautifully by chef-owner Shaun Moffat and his team.

Manchester

Spa

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly Spa

The in-house spa at the Marriott Hotel Piccadilly is a sanctuary away from the city outside on its doorstep.

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Manchester Visitor Guides

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Toddler standing on grass with a paintbrush in hand turning to the right to look at the camera. He is wearing a navy blue rainsuit with a burgundy and navy blue long sleeved tiop underneath. He is standing in front of large cream coloured sheets that have been strung up on a washing line. The sheets have mud marks making on.

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.

Places to drink in The Northern Quarter

There's no shortage of places to drink in the Northern Quarter. From hidden bars in launderettes and pawn shops, to record stores and even traditional pubs. We round up the

Hidden Bars in Manchester

Manchester's best secret, hidden and hard to find bars - here's our guide.

Cocktails in Manchester

Looking for the best cocktails in Manchester? We have the lot, to cover all tastes and budgets, to guarantee a good time.

Roof Terraces in Manchester

Best roof terrace in Manchester? We know the lot, and we're willing to share our hard-earned information.

Places To Eat Outside in Manchester

Looking for somewhere to eat outside in Manchester in these hot summer months? Here's our guide to the restaurants in Manchester with the best areas for al fresco dining.

Beer Gardens in Manchester & Salford

Make the most of the sun in one of Manchester's many top-notch beer gardens.

Things to do with babies in Manchester

Looking for things to do with babies? Check out some of our top things to do with the littlest tourists before you set out.

Things to do with toddlers in Manchester

Read our guide to navigating the city with toddlers and having loads of fun too!

Manchester District Guides

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…

Deansgate, Manchester

The busy thoroughfare of Deansgate runs through Castlefield, joining the dots between it, Spinningfields and Manchester’s Cathedral Quarter at the opposite end. Deansgate is home to its fair share of…

Photo of a handwritten label in a cafe that says

Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester

Tis Burton Road is the heart of West Didsbury, a beautifully maintained leafy hubbub of shops, bars and restaurants where independence is paramount. The main strip is home to fifteen…

City Centre, Manchester

Visit Manchester Town Hall and you’ll spot bees picked out in the mosaics across the lobby floor – once seen, you’ll notice them everywhere. Appearing on benches, council flower pots and…

Northern Quarter, Manchester

Manchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens. Here are the places you need to check out.

Oxford Road, Manchester

We cherrypick our favourite spots on Oxford Road, taking in unique theatres, characterful gig venues and fascinating museums.

Salford, Greater Manchester

Cross over the River Irwell, and you’ll find yourself in another city entirely – Salford, which is enjoying something of a regeneration.

Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

portrait of Lorsung in a dark shirt with dark hair and dark round glasses

Literature Events in the North

We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.

Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble

Family things to do in the North

With these lighter, brighter days and warmer temperatures, it's really starting to feel like summer here in the North West!

Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring.

Theatre in the North

Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.