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Help me plan my first trip to Manchester (and England)
- Thread starter Skilly McRailnob
- Start date
gangerolv
Well-Known Member
swansea away will be massive
BrianW
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 6 Mar 2006
- Messages
- 5,925
- Team supported
- There's Only One City
If you're planning to do a lot of train travel buy a Britpass (I think that's what they're called) before you come over - you can't get them once here.
Walk-up train fares - as opposed to booking in advance - are extortionate.
Bring plenty of clothes as temperatures at that time of year vary between cold and freaking freezing. It can also be a tad damp.
Enjoy!
Walk-up train fares - as opposed to booking in advance - are extortionate.
Bring plenty of clothes as temperatures at that time of year vary between cold and freaking freezing. It can also be a tad damp.
Enjoy!
Been going over for matches for near 15 years now. Get an access card when they come out in July. Home matches shouldn't be a problem at all. I normally don't buy my winter flights til December/January when fixtures are a bit more solid. Right now I'm looking at a November trip and a late Jan/Feb trip. November prices are looking around $750-800 for flight. Winter flights are usually in the $500-600 range. Last year I think I paid $490 for a trip over in February.
There's plenty to do in and around Manchester, and rail travel is dirt cheap. It's a small country so you can go pretty much anywhere in a day. A very decent cheap place that I usually stay is the Travelodge on Great Ancoats. GBP50 a night. Easy access to everywhere from there. Nothing luxourious but a place to lay your head.
If you have any other questions go ahead and pm me, I should be able to answer any concerns/questions. Have a great time, it's not difficult to do.
There's plenty to do in and around Manchester, and rail travel is dirt cheap. It's a small country so you can go pretty much anywhere in a day. A very decent cheap place that I usually stay is the Travelodge on Great Ancoats. GBP50 a night. Easy access to everywhere from there. Nothing luxourious but a place to lay your head.
If you have any other questions go ahead and pm me, I should be able to answer any concerns/questions. Have a great time, it's not difficult to do.
Dr Mick
Well-Known Member
There are plenty of cheap / mid priced hotels in town and the mitre isn’t a bad shout. For something a bit more upmarket The Hilton on Deansgate isn’t bad value and the Edwardian Renaissance is a good hotel (I’m pretty certain this is the one that City use for putting up new players before they find a home). The Lowry hotel (considered by some to be the best hotel in Manchester) is over rated in my opinion and not worth the cost. GJS on Great John Street is a good boutique hotel.
You could also look into renting an apartment. I put some mates up in the Light Apartments in the Northern Quarter which gives you a great chance to experience Manchester- although it was a bit pricey to stay there.
For Match tickets the best thing to do would be to email the club and Danny Wilson (who in my experience is a top bloke who always replies and always does his best help).
To make the most of your time whilst over here I would do a bit of research on the internet and buy a guide book (if they exist) so you can put together a bit of an itinerary. Things I would recommend that you do – in no particular order:
Do the official City tour at Eastland’s (including the museum).
Visit the City store at the ground and also on Market Street in town to stock up on provisions.
On a match day go to Mary D’s for a beer before kick off.
Visit Moss Side and Maine Road (now a new housing estate). Moss Side has a bit of a reputation as being a bit dodgy but if you don’t act too touristy and go there during the day you wont have any problems. Walk down Claremont Road for a bit of a flavour of Moss Side. Visit Platt Fields and the City Training Complex at Platt Lane.
Also if your interested in the history of City, visit to Hyde Road / Clowes Street in West Gorton. Probably best to do this by Taxi (just drive though the area) and if you could find a City fan Taxi driver who knows the area and the history of MCFC even better. If you are interested in the TV show Shameless this is also worth a visit. Buy one of Gary James’ excellent books on the history of City to read up about it.
Definitely plan a pub crawl around town. Loads and loads of great boozers. The Black Dog Ballroom (great pool tables), The Shambles (the old Wellington and Sinclairs), Sam’s Chop House, Thomas’s Chop House (there is a statue of the artist LS Lowry sat at the bar), Lass o’Gowry, Briton’s Protection, Browns (up market cocktail type place), Panacea (full of posers) Lamars (gay bar), Marble Arch (great selection of cheese), Epernay (champagne bar), Temple bar (used to be public toilets), Café Cuba, Corbiers (great juke box), Cloud 23 at the Hilton (for great views of Manchester) There are loads of pubs just search the internet for the type you are into.
For food, again there are loads of good restaurants. El Rincon does the best Tapas outside of Spain. Gaucho (Argentinean), Rosso (unfortunately owned by Rio Ferdinand but don't let that put you off), Bem Brazil, San Carlo (Balotelli’s favourite restaurant), Stock are some of my favourites. The Ox on Liverpool Road does good food for a pub.
Get into the various districts of Manchester. Buy yourself a map and plan some mini adventures. Wear warm clothes, a decent pair of shoes for walking.
The Northern Quarter is quite bohemian, visit Afflecks (indoor clothes market).
If you are into theatre stuff there is The Lowry (salford) and The Royal Exchange and Palace in town. Check it out and book in advance.
The Gay Village is worth a look (unless you are totally homophobic),
The student area along Oxford road has some good bars. Visit Johnny Roadhouse Music shop.
Rusholme and the curry mile is worth a visit – if you like curry.
Didsbury is nice on the outskirts. The metropolitan pub is pretty good. Go to the Nelson Arms (home of Didsbury supporters club)
Castlefield has a couple of good bars (and a beach!!!!) and some canals and a Roman Fort.
Visit the museum of science and technology
Visit Albert Square
There are some okay bars in the arches on Whitworth street at the bottom of Deansgate.
Chinatown is worth a visit. Little Yang Sing does a good buffet.
John Ryland Library is (maybe) worth a visit is you are into old buildings.
Manchester generally has some fantastic (mainly Gothic and Neo Classical) arctitecture. Just wander round looking up at the buildings.
Visit Manchester Art Gallery.
Manchester has a cathedral if you are into cathedrals.
The war museum and Lowry centre (art gallery) in Salford Quays are okay. You could go on the tram.
The footy museum at Urbis is opening up some time in 2012.
Go on the big wheel for great views during the day and go to Cloud 23 at the Hilton for great views at night.
St Annes square.
Go check out the famous post box on Corporation street opposite where the IRA planted their van packed with explosives.
If you are into the 'Know your enemy' nonsense then you could visit Old Trafford, walk round feel horribly nauseous, laugh at the rags taking photographs, check out the MCFC graffiti.
If you like live music check out what on at MEN area, Apollo (ardwick), Bridgewater Hall, The Academy and Student clubs in Manchester. Book tickets in advance.
Spinningfields is still relatively new and maybe worth a gander.
Book afternoon tea at the Midland Hotel.
If you are into strippers visit the Fantasy bar. Very low class hookers are generally to be found around Piccadilly.
Buy a book (Kevin Cummins maybe) about the music scene in Manchester. If you are into that sort of stuff worth a visit to where the Hacienda (New Order Happy Mondays) was or Salford lads club (The Smiths)
There are loads of great shops for shopping or visit the Trafford Centre (but not when united are at home as its crawling with rags)
Visit the Printworks. There are some okay bars in here. Wasabi Suishi bar is good. Go to Imax (the massive cinema screen) at the Odean.
Go to a chippy and order chips and gravy. Go to a bakers and get an Eccles cake or a slice of Manchester Tart.
Learn some dodgy manc sayings and have a go at the accent. At the bar order a pint of largohh. Order a sambuca chaser with every pint and don't forget to 'double up' at last orders.
Go to Pretty Green at Spring gardens and buy a bucket hat. Buy a Stone Roses t shirt, a parka coat and a pair of desset boots. Grow your hair and learn to walk with attitude like Liam and learn to dance like Bez
Never be afraid to chat to people in town. Manchester is a very friendly city and generally the people are very approachable and chatty. Wear your City shirt and gen up on Colin Bell and Paul Lake and proper mancs will happily chat with you for hours. Don't waste your time talking to rags, believe me they really are as thick as pig shit and know f*ck all about football. If they do try to give you any grief just tell them in your best new manc accent that "ah kid's from Longsight and if you dont fuck off i'll get 'im to batta yoh"
Go to HMV and buy box sets of Shameless and Early Doors to take back with you. Buy a dirt cheap DVD player from Asda to play them on. Go to the manchester shop at Urbis to buy some suveniers including your "I (heart) Manchester" T shirt.
There are loads more to do – these as just a few ideas.
Manchester is without doubt the best city in the world. Don’t let anyone (particularly moody mancs with no sense of local pride tell you otherwise). Hope you manage to get to visit my home town. If you do I’m sure you will have a great time.
Oh and bring an umbrella.
You could also look into renting an apartment. I put some mates up in the Light Apartments in the Northern Quarter which gives you a great chance to experience Manchester- although it was a bit pricey to stay there.
For Match tickets the best thing to do would be to email the club and Danny Wilson (who in my experience is a top bloke who always replies and always does his best help).
To make the most of your time whilst over here I would do a bit of research on the internet and buy a guide book (if they exist) so you can put together a bit of an itinerary. Things I would recommend that you do – in no particular order:
Do the official City tour at Eastland’s (including the museum).
Visit the City store at the ground and also on Market Street in town to stock up on provisions.
On a match day go to Mary D’s for a beer before kick off.
Visit Moss Side and Maine Road (now a new housing estate). Moss Side has a bit of a reputation as being a bit dodgy but if you don’t act too touristy and go there during the day you wont have any problems. Walk down Claremont Road for a bit of a flavour of Moss Side. Visit Platt Fields and the City Training Complex at Platt Lane.
Also if your interested in the history of City, visit to Hyde Road / Clowes Street in West Gorton. Probably best to do this by Taxi (just drive though the area) and if you could find a City fan Taxi driver who knows the area and the history of MCFC even better. If you are interested in the TV show Shameless this is also worth a visit. Buy one of Gary James’ excellent books on the history of City to read up about it.
Definitely plan a pub crawl around town. Loads and loads of great boozers. The Black Dog Ballroom (great pool tables), The Shambles (the old Wellington and Sinclairs), Sam’s Chop House, Thomas’s Chop House (there is a statue of the artist LS Lowry sat at the bar), Lass o’Gowry, Briton’s Protection, Browns (up market cocktail type place), Panacea (full of posers) Lamars (gay bar), Marble Arch (great selection of cheese), Epernay (champagne bar), Temple bar (used to be public toilets), Café Cuba, Corbiers (great juke box), Cloud 23 at the Hilton (for great views of Manchester) There are loads of pubs just search the internet for the type you are into.
For food, again there are loads of good restaurants. El Rincon does the best Tapas outside of Spain. Gaucho (Argentinean), Rosso (unfortunately owned by Rio Ferdinand but don't let that put you off), Bem Brazil, San Carlo (Balotelli’s favourite restaurant), Stock are some of my favourites. The Ox on Liverpool Road does good food for a pub.
Get into the various districts of Manchester. Buy yourself a map and plan some mini adventures. Wear warm clothes, a decent pair of shoes for walking.
The Northern Quarter is quite bohemian, visit Afflecks (indoor clothes market).
If you are into theatre stuff there is The Lowry (salford) and The Royal Exchange and Palace in town. Check it out and book in advance.
The Gay Village is worth a look (unless you are totally homophobic),
The student area along Oxford road has some good bars. Visit Johnny Roadhouse Music shop.
Rusholme and the curry mile is worth a visit – if you like curry.
Didsbury is nice on the outskirts. The metropolitan pub is pretty good. Go to the Nelson Arms (home of Didsbury supporters club)
Castlefield has a couple of good bars (and a beach!!!!) and some canals and a Roman Fort.
Visit the museum of science and technology
Visit Albert Square
There are some okay bars in the arches on Whitworth street at the bottom of Deansgate.
Chinatown is worth a visit. Little Yang Sing does a good buffet.
John Ryland Library is (maybe) worth a visit is you are into old buildings.
Manchester generally has some fantastic (mainly Gothic and Neo Classical) arctitecture. Just wander round looking up at the buildings.
Visit Manchester Art Gallery.
Manchester has a cathedral if you are into cathedrals.
The war museum and Lowry centre (art gallery) in Salford Quays are okay. You could go on the tram.
The footy museum at Urbis is opening up some time in 2012.
Go on the big wheel for great views during the day and go to Cloud 23 at the Hilton for great views at night.
St Annes square.
Go check out the famous post box on Corporation street opposite where the IRA planted their van packed with explosives.
If you are into the 'Know your enemy' nonsense then you could visit Old Trafford, walk round feel horribly nauseous, laugh at the rags taking photographs, check out the MCFC graffiti.
If you like live music check out what on at MEN area, Apollo (ardwick), Bridgewater Hall, The Academy and Student clubs in Manchester. Book tickets in advance.
Spinningfields is still relatively new and maybe worth a gander.
Book afternoon tea at the Midland Hotel.
If you are into strippers visit the Fantasy bar. Very low class hookers are generally to be found around Piccadilly.
Buy a book (Kevin Cummins maybe) about the music scene in Manchester. If you are into that sort of stuff worth a visit to where the Hacienda (New Order Happy Mondays) was or Salford lads club (The Smiths)
There are loads of great shops for shopping or visit the Trafford Centre (but not when united are at home as its crawling with rags)
Visit the Printworks. There are some okay bars in here. Wasabi Suishi bar is good. Go to Imax (the massive cinema screen) at the Odean.
Go to a chippy and order chips and gravy. Go to a bakers and get an Eccles cake or a slice of Manchester Tart.
Learn some dodgy manc sayings and have a go at the accent. At the bar order a pint of largohh. Order a sambuca chaser with every pint and don't forget to 'double up' at last orders.
Go to Pretty Green at Spring gardens and buy a bucket hat. Buy a Stone Roses t shirt, a parka coat and a pair of desset boots. Grow your hair and learn to walk with attitude like Liam and learn to dance like Bez
Never be afraid to chat to people in town. Manchester is a very friendly city and generally the people are very approachable and chatty. Wear your City shirt and gen up on Colin Bell and Paul Lake and proper mancs will happily chat with you for hours. Don't waste your time talking to rags, believe me they really are as thick as pig shit and know f*ck all about football. If they do try to give you any grief just tell them in your best new manc accent that "ah kid's from Longsight and if you dont fuck off i'll get 'im to batta yoh"
Go to HMV and buy box sets of Shameless and Early Doors to take back with you. Buy a dirt cheap DVD player from Asda to play them on. Go to the manchester shop at Urbis to buy some suveniers including your "I (heart) Manchester" T shirt.
There are loads more to do – these as just a few ideas.
Manchester is without doubt the best city in the world. Don’t let anyone (particularly moody mancs with no sense of local pride tell you otherwise). Hope you manage to get to visit my home town. If you do I’m sure you will have a great time.
Oh and bring an umbrella.
Skilly McRailnob
Well-Known Member
thanks for all the suggestions so far. sure I'll have plenty more questions.
Gary James
Well-Known Member
Dr Mick said:Also if your interested in the history of City, visit to Hyde Road / Clowes Street in West Gorton. Probably best to do this by Taxi (just drive though the area) and if you could find a City fan Taxi driver who knows the area and the history of MCFC even better. If you are interested in the TV show Shameless this is also worth a visit. Buy one of Gary James’ excellent books on the history of City to read up about it.
Manchester is without doubt the best city in the world. Don’t let anyone (particularly moody mancs with no sense of local pride tell you otherwise). Hope you manage to get to visit my home town. If you do I’m sure you will have a great time.
Oh and bring an umbrella.
Thanks for the comment about my books - "Manchester A Football History" should help as it highlights the Clowes St area's significance (plus other footballing sights like the spot where the first Football League meeting occurred), and also see if you can borrow "Manchester The Greatest City" (it's out of print now, but worth borrowing).
Make sure you take a look at various City sites, but also just take time to soak Manchester in. If (?) it's sunny take a seat in Albert Square; enjoy the bars etc.
BrianW
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 6 Mar 2006
- Messages
- 5,925
- Team supported
- There's Only One City
Some unusual ideas:
Get the tram (Metrolink) to Bury, go on the market and buy a (cooked) black pudding. The lean variety unless you really love fat. This is a culinary experience not to be missed. (Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays)
Get the train to Walsden, and visit Grandma Pollards chippy opposite the station. One of the best, if not the best, chippies in the area. (Mondays-Fridays only)
Bus or train to Stockport, and find the Crown pub, which is under the viaduct. Good range of real ales. Just down the road is the Pineapple pub which serves Robinsons beer and a mean curry.
Get the tram (Metrolink) to Bury, go on the market and buy a (cooked) black pudding. The lean variety unless you really love fat. This is a culinary experience not to be missed. (Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays)
Get the train to Walsden, and visit Grandma Pollards chippy opposite the station. One of the best, if not the best, chippies in the area. (Mondays-Fridays only)
Bus or train to Stockport, and find the Crown pub, which is under the viaduct. Good range of real ales. Just down the road is the Pineapple pub which serves Robinsons beer and a mean curry.
Skilly McRailnob
Well-Known Member
bump
Do most visiting blues fly directly into Manchester, or do they fly into London and take the train up?
Do most visiting blues fly directly into Manchester, or do they fly into London and take the train up?