Cheetham Hill, Manchester

Creative Tourist

Last Updated 15 May 2023

As an area, Cheetham Hill gets a pretty bad rep. 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. No place in Manchester better represents the overlaying of different cultures and communities – only fifteen minutes on foot from the Northern Quarter, it’s an area that rewards exploring.

Discover our top picks

1. Ukrainian Cultural Centre

Image courtesy of the 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 and has a long record of service to all communities across Manchester.

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2. Manchester Jewish Museum

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

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.

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3. 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 provides highly interesting history and science content surrounding the creation of various gins, which complements all the excellent drinks you get. If you’re looking for a family night out, a treat for colleagues or an impressive something for a special someone, or indeed if none of these apply to you and you just like gin a lot

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4. The Yard

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.

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5. Osaka Local

Ian Jones

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.

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