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
Manchester
Kong’s NQ
Kong’s isn’t like other chicken shops. This much-loved Northern Quarter restaurant is all about high-grade ingredients and expert preparation.
Castlefield
Trading Route
Trading Route serves up time-honoured Sunday grub, in a modern Manchester setting. Worth a visit for the expertly-curated soundtrack alone.
Manchester
Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel
The Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel is an elegant hotel with a restaurant to match. We try out the new Northern-themed brunch menu.
Manchester
The Rat & Pigeon
A slice of alternative Manchester in pub form, down a grotty, gritty backstreet and with a disgusting name. What’s not to love?
Manchester
Butter Bird
Butter Bird is a newly opened casual but stylish restaurant in Ancoats, based around the very delicious concept of tea-brined chicken.
Manchester
The Head of Steam Manchester NQ
The Head of Steam chugs into the Northern Quarter showcasing high-quality drinks, and cult burger smashers That Burger Thing manning the kitchen.
Manchester
Asmara Bella
Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, serving up traditional food from the Horn of Africa.
Manchester
Rochdale Town Hall
Rochdale Town Hall is a Victorian-era municipal building in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, widely recognised as being one of the finest municipal buildings in the country.
City Centre
Cafe Beermoth
Cafe Beermoth is the very definition of a modern Manchester pub – relaxed, friendly and with a wide range of carefully curated booze options.
Manchester
Jaffa Restaurant
Humble restaurant on Curry Mile that serves superb quality food.
Chorlton
Horse and Jockey Chorlton
Chorlton’s magnificent Horse and Jockey has had an almighty do-over, transforming it into one of South Manchester’s top must-visit drinking and dining destinations.
Castlefield
The Curling Club
New Jackson in Manchester is having a full scale seasonal takeover. Think curling lanes, lively bars and a packed line up of DJs and performances.
Manchester Visitor Guides
Cafés, Breakfast and Brunch in Manchester
The best cafés and coffee shops we’ve drank and idled in across Manchester. You might even describe them as 'damn fine'.
Food Halls & Street Food in Manchester
Manchester has a ton of food halls that all do a great job of making hungry people happy. Here are our top picks.
Casual Dining in Manchester
Casual dining doesn't mean low effort. Manchester has a host of laid-back restaurants where you can drop in and kick back.
Vegan and Vegetarian Food
Whether you’re a proud vegan or merely curious, let us guide you towards the best vegan food in Manchester.
Bars & Pubs in Manchester
Pint of mild, limited-run natural wine or cocktail drowning in dry ice? You'll find them all in Manchester. But maybe not together.
Fine Dining and Tasting Menus in Manchester
Hankering for luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. Feast your eyes on the city's best tasting menus.
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.
New Openings in Manchester
Manchester’s food and drink scene is thriving. Here are the recently-opened venues who are worth your pounds, shillings and pence.
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.
Manchester District Guides
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 thereDestination Guides
Culture Guides
Theatre
Closer, riskier, more immediate. Focusing on smaller stages, our latest theatre picks stretch from unsettling fables about nationhood to the inner workings of a mind trying to hold itself together.
Exhibitions
Across Manchester and Salford, exhibitions are thinking hard about how things are made – and how materials carry stories.
Cinema in the North
There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.
Tours and Activities in the North
Step away from the usual. Tours and activities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and offer something refreshingly different.
Music
This month’s live music picks move between ambitious new work, grassroots celebrations and a few memorable settings.
Food and Drink in the North
Spring has arrived, bringing with it al fresco dining and a rush of high-profile food and drink-related events in Manchester.
Family things to do in the North
Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.