Cheetham Hill, Manchester

Creative Tourist

As an area, Cheetham Hill gets a pretty bad rap. The foreboding architecture of Strangeways Prison and the arterial width of Cheetham Hill Road mean that many never go – or never stop while driving through. Those who know about the Grade II*-listed beauty of Manchester Jewish Museum (the city’s oldest synagogue, now home to a varied programme of events) are often guilty of thinking of it as marooned. This, we’ve discovered, is unfair.

The area has everything from bakeries selling freshly-made bagels and challah bread to one of Manchester’s few green spots in the form of Queen’s Park, complete with dilapidated bandstand. There’s the Irish World Heritage Centre, The Museum of Transport, a multitude of shops selling skeins of fabric or an array of hard to find spices and vegetables, such as Indian chowli and Jamacain plantains. You could argue that no place in Manchester better represents the overlaying of different cultures and communities.

And there’s a surprising amount of contemporary arts and culture to be found here, too. GRUB, which encompasses Cultplex, is a fantastic destination in its own right, as is The Yard, which is hosting more and more gigs of late. There are also a few well-above-average restaurants and pubs, including the Jay Rayner-endorsed The Sparrows.

All just 15 minutes on foot from the Northern Quarter, it’s an area that rewards exploring. Let us be your guide…

Our top picks

GRUB Manchester

GRUB Manchester, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M4 4HF - Visit now

GRUB is a home from home for anyone looking to escape the cookie-cutter capitalist vibe of the modern city, wonderfully laid-back, with a great selection of craft beers, food vendors and vegan-themed happenings. But upstairs is where the magic happens. This wildly-decorated room is one of the city’s best event spaces, perfect for live gigs, theatre productions, stand-up comedy and anything else that requires a dash of creativity and a big well-designed room.

Cultplex

Cultplex, 50 Red Bank, Manchester, England, M4 4HF - Visit now

Billing itself as Manchester’s home of cult films, video games and cool nerd stuff, Cultplex is a small cinema offshoot of indie street food destination the above GRUB. Expect movie marathons and big screen games nights alongside comedy and quizzes. There’s popcorn and ice cream, but more substantial refreshments are available from the on-site street food vendors. The listings are excellent and the vibe is super relaxed.

Chapeltown Picturehouse

Manchester Jewish Museum

Manchester Jewish Museum, 190 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M8 8LW - Visit now

This is a historic gem of a museum, made even more special by the recent redevelopment. Moving around exhibits housed in the former ladies’ gallery mezzanine, you learn about the community established by Jews came to this part of Manchester from all over the world to make a life for themselves . It’s a great way to experience living history, and learn about one of the many crisscrossing stories that make our city the rich, diverse and colourful place it is.

Manchester Jewish Museum exterior (dusk), image Joel Chester Fildes 2021
Manchester Jewish Museum exterior (dusk), image Joel Chester Fildes, 2021

Manchester Three Rivers Gin Distillery

Manchester Three Rivers Gin Distillery, Manchester Three Rivers
City of Manchester Distillery
21 Red Bank Parade
, Manchester , M4 4HF - Visit now

A magnificent gin distillery, the Three Rivers’ tours are super interesting, providing unique insight into the science and history behind the creation of various gins, which complements all the excellent drinks you’ll sup while taking them in. If you’re looking for a mates night out, a treat for colleagues or an impressive something for a special someone, or indeed if none of these apply, we recommend this one muchly.

tours and activities guide

Ukrainian Cultural Centre

Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 31 Smedley Lane, Manchester, M8 8XB - Visit now

Manchester Ukrainian Cultural Centre or ‘Dnipro’ has been at the heart of the Ukrainian Community in Manchester and the surrounding areas for over 60 years. A valuable asset in the development of Ukrainian culture, education and traditions, the centre has a long record of service to all communities across Manchester.

Ukrainian Cultural Centre
Image courtesy of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre.

The Yard

The Yard, 11 Bent Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M8 8NF - Visit now

The Yard is a unique working environment where music and art thrive. In addition to its meeting spaces and office facilities, it’s home to a great little music venue, which tends to attract future-leaning electronic artists.

The Yard

Osaka Local

Osaka Local, Various locations, including Grub, Manchester, M4 4HF - Visit now

Osaka Local specialises in Japanese savoury pancakes but, of course, it’s not just about savoury pancakes, you’ll find a small but mouth-watering range of dishes on offer, from katsu curry to moreish noodles. The noodles are a high-quality treat too, thick and coated with dark and umami-rich sauce, but whatever you go for, go for it early – these dishes almost always sell out, and fast.

Ian Jones

The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle

The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle, 16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M4 4HF - Visit now

Lauded by food critics including Jay Rayner, The Sparrows serves up a spread of food from European nations, courtesy of owners Kasia Hitchcock, and Franco Concli, who hail from Poland and Italy respectively. Expect pasta dishes piled high, along with sauerkraut and dumplings.

The Sparrows

Istanbul Restaurant Manchester

Istanbul Restaurant Manchester, 2 Bury Old Rd, Cheetham Hill, Manchester , M8 9JN - Visit now

Cheetham Hill locals flock to Istanbul for great-tasting fresh Turkish dishes — everything from classic plates like pide and lamb kebabs to more modern vegetarian options.

Ian Jones

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