August Bank Holiday in Manchester and the North

Ben Williams, Managing Editor

Last Updated 19 August 2019

August bank holiday is a sort of bookend to the summer, and, for some, there’s a faint whiff of melancholy in the air. Tesco and ASDA have launched their back to school advertising arms race and those idyllic days of whittling away the hours in front of the smug kids from Why Don’t You? are numbered.

But wait, this isn’t the early 90’s, I’ve not been a student for a long time and Mr Bronson’s Grange Hill bastardry never inspired me to become a teacher. Like most adults, my summers are pretty much just like my autumns and winters, so let’s break the monotony and approach this August bank holiday weekend in the only sensible way possible… Let’s grasp this free day away from the rat race and make a sustained assault on the citadel of good times.

It’s Pride Weekend in Manchester, the weather is threatening to, well, not rain and there’s cultural adventures to be had. So, why don’t you just switch off your television set and go out and do something less boring instead?

Here are our picks

1. Erst

erst.

Erst, 9 Murray St, Manchester, M4 5BN - Visit now

Erst is something special. This can’t be stressed enough. Of course, Ancoats is the new hot spot in the UK, let alone in Manchester – open any airline magazine and you’ll no doubt see a guide to the go-to haunts in this former gangland slum, now gentrified up the eyeballs.

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2. Beer Gardens in Manchester

For those who can’t be bothered going to Chrolton, here’s some more beer gardens to enjoy. Now, admittedly, we’re not talking about the behemoth biergartens of Bavaria, so don’t get your lederhosen in a twist. These are some of our favorite places to drink outdoors in Manchester. Some big, some small and all better with a belly full of beer and safe in the knowledge that Monday is all yours to spend in bed.

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3. Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

If you’re going to be drinking, don’t forget to eat! Some people say ‘eating’s cheating’, but those people are most probably younger than you and can still handle it. Here’s what our Food & Drink Editor has been tucking into recently.

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4. Umezushi

Umezushi, Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 1PJ - Visit now

If you’re in Manchester and love food, you’ll be aware of Umezushi. Despite being tucked away under an old railway arch behind Victoria Station on the edge of the city centre, it has a reputation across the city that money can’t buy.

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5. Wild Swimming

For those not gorging themselves on food and drink, it’s likely to be one of your last chances to (comfortably) swim outdoors in the North. There’s always time for eating and drinking afterward.

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6. Vegan Food in Liverpool

Food From Nowhere

All that art on an empty stomach? No chance. Liverpool is one of the better cities when it comes to high-quality vegan cuisine – here’s our guide to the best vegan food in the city. Also there’s plenty of places to drink in Liverpool too.

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7. Families

Credit: Jonathan Pow/jp@jonathanpow.com

As ever, we’ve a comprehensive list of the best family things for you to pick from.

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8. Top places to go rural (without going too far from Manchester)

Disley, home to Lyme Park. Image by Dave Dunford via Wikimedia Commons

A bank holiday weekend wouldn’t be a bank holiday weekend without at least thinking about going outside and doing something wholesome. I mean, you’re not really a parent unless you drag a resentful child away from Fortnight and march them around a country estate with a face like a wet weekend.

Anyway, you’ve thought about it, that’s probably enough. Here’s another link to the beer gardens. You’re welcome.

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