Culture Guides
Destination Guides
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Spend a day in the city and it rapidly becomes apparent just how much it has reinvented its industrial past into a new, trendsetting present – and an ambitious future. There’s plenty of things to do in Manchester too, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to an exciting food and drink offer and thriving literature and music scenes.
Apostasy at HOME
LAST CHANCE. For his debut feature, director Daniel Kokotajlo delves into his own past for a drama about three women in the Jehovahs Witnesses. We spoke to the filmmaker ahead of the films release.
Salford Royal Academy Takeover
To mark its 250th birthday, the Royal Academy of Arts in London has launched a nationwide programme of exhibitions, displays, tours, talks and one-off events. Here we take a look at what’s going on in Salford – home of RA LS Lowry and now a growing independent art scene.
BBC Philharmonic 2018/19 Concert Season
Millions of listeners enjoy BBC Philharmonic concerts on Radio 3, recorded or broadcast live from the outstanding acoustic of The Bridgewater Hall, making this orchestra one of the most widely heard in the country.
Penguin Pride Manchester at Z-arts
Penguin Pride comes to Manchester with an awe-inspiring line-up of LGBTQ+ writers, poets and performers to showcase some of the UK’s most exciting queer talent.
Power UP at the Museum of Science and Industry
Stretch those competitive muscles and explore 40 years of video game challenges and design from Pacman to the latest in virtual reality.
RNCM Autumn Season
This Autumn, RNCM is asking the question: what makes something original? Entitled ‘Original Voices’, this future-leaning season showcases artists from across the world who are doing something just that little bit different. With some incredibly exciting and innovative concerts to look forward to, we have compiled our favourites into the guide below. Get ready to encounter technological exploration, multi-sensory experiences as well as performances which pinpoint groundbreaking moments in music.
The Alchemy of Colour at The John Rylands Library
LAST CHANCE. Did you know that the remarkable yellows of Turner’s sunsets came from the urine of mango-fed cows? Or that the reds of Raphael’s greatest masterpieces derived from cactus-dwelling bugs? The Alchemy of Colour at The John Rylands Library explores the unusual stories behind some of art history’s most dazzling hues.
Journeys of the Imagination at Quarry Bank
Pack your bags for an adventure as you discover the incredible journeys made by the people of Quarry Bank in an interactive trail.
Northern Art Carbooty 2018 at Sadlers Yard
Northern Art Carbooty brings you a host of local artistic talent, selling their quality wares at affordable prices. There will also be plenty of free family fun workshops, music, food stalls and live performances.
Glitterbox Official Afterparty For Manchester Pride
Add some extra glitter to your Manchester Pride celebrations with Glitterbox, Pride’s official Saturday night afterparty at Albert Hall. Life’s stresses can be left at the door at this bank holiday blow-out to end all blow-outs.
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
Manchester Visitor Guides
Afternoon Tea in Manchester
The finest places in Manchester to sip Darjeeling, eat dainty finger sandwiches and slap extra clotted cream on a freshly baked scone.
Art Galleries in Manchester
Manchester’s galleries span ancient to contemporary art, via some of the best collections of paintings, objects and even wallpaper in the country. Here’s our guide.
Libraries in Manchester
Bibliophiles, rejoice: we have rounded up the best libraries in Manchester for your perusal.
Restaurants in Manchester
The very best restaurants in Manchester’s city centre, including ones you know, and future favourites.
Pubs in Manchester
From a beautifully tiled old haunt with a mysteriously sloping floor, to the ultimate beer specialists – here’s our guide to the best boozers in Manchester.
Cafes and Coffee Shops in Manchester
Here are some of the best cafés and best coffee shops we’ve come across in Manchester – independents (almost) all.
Manchester District Guides
Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester
Burton Road is the heart of West Didsbury, a beautifully maintained leafy hubbub of shops,…
Beech Road Chorlton, Manchester
A laid-back mix of gift shops, independent outfitters, restaurants, pubs and parks, on a sunny weekend afternoon it’s heaving.
Didsbury, Manchester
Follow Oxford Road South through the Curry Mile, along Wilmslow Road, past Platt Fields Park…
Chorlton, Manchester
This left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only ten minutes…
Cheetham Hill, Manchester
As an area, Cheetham Hill gets a pretty bad rep. The foreboding architecture of Strangeways…
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