A new building in Manchester barely raises an eyebrow these days.
The fidgety city centre has spent the past few decades putting high-rises here and corporate HQs there – moulding itself a look suited to its increasing reputation as an international metropolis.
The pace of regeneration has been incredible. Buildings have shot up and tumbled down in equal measure, yet a handful of special structures have stood with a sort of quiet dignity amid the racket of construction.
One such building complex is tucked away behind the skyline, around three miles south of the city centre: the The Toast Rack & Fried Egg
When the complex was completed in 1960, there was nothing quite like it.
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Sixty years down the line, there still isn’t.
Created by Manchester City Council’s then Chief Architect Leonard Cecil Howitt, the Hollings Building (as it was first called) was a noteworthy anomaly in design; triangular shaped with curling concrete arches and a circular block alongside it.
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Its structure adopted the appearance of an enormous toast rack (aptly reflecting its purpose as a catering college) with its round neighbour quickly becoming known as the ‘Fried Egg’.
Opening to initial bemusement, the breakfast-themed building eventually became a beloved part of the Fallowfield region – especially in the student community after it was purchased by Manchester Metropolitan University.
The design proved practical, too, – creating different sized learning spaces for various classes.
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In April 1998, The Toast Rack was even granted Grade II listed status by English Heritage – who described it as ‘a distinctive and memorable building which demonstrates this architect’s love of structural gymnastics in a dramatic way’.
The city’s student buildings began to resemble something of a breakfast buffet when University of Manchester launched the big, round silver University Place – referred to on campus as the ‘bean can’.
But in 2013, MMU decided to stop using the Toast Rack – choosing to shift its student campuses further north.
Five years later, The Gym Group moved in – turning part of the site into a state-of-the-art leisure facility.
Generation Ltd is also delivering 210 apartments in the area alongside 20,000 sq ft of commercial space.
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Still, after sixty years and numerous redevelopments, the Toast Rack & Fried Egg remains one of Manchester’s curious and intriguing architectural creations.
In true breakfast style, it set Manchester up for a brand new day.
Now, we’re watching structural innovation being dished out right before our very eyes.
Feature
Gaping Gill – the record-breaking waterfall you can only see twice a year
Daisy Jackson
There are a lot of incredible waterfalls in the UK – but did you know that the highest unbroken waterfall in England is right here in the north?
Gaping Gill is a record-breaking spot in the Yorkshire Dales, about an hour and a half from Greater Manchester.
Despite the Fell Beck waterfall being a massive 110-metres tall, it’s actually pretty difficult to see.
Unusually, the waterfall is underground in a huge cave system – and even more unusually, it’s only accessible to the public twice a year.
Those lucky enough to visit are lowered down into the massive chamber on a winch by a local pothole club.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, or much fun for people who are scared of heights, but once your feet are on the solid ground at the bottom of the cave you’ll be in one of the most awe-inspiring settings in the country.
The Gaping Gill cave chamber is 129m long, 31m high, and 25m wide – so large you can fit an entire cathedral inside it.
Its cave system is connected to the famous Ingleborough Cave.
The first person to make it all the way inside was Frenchman Edouard Martel in 1895, who used a rope ladder to climb down and kept in touch with those on the surface using a telephone.
The Craven Pothole Club helps people to visit every August and the Bradford Pothole Club every May.
The rest of the time, all you can see from above ground is the cave’s opening on the slopes of Ingleborough.
Local photographer Tatiana Hepplewhite said after her visit: “Twice a year, England’s highest unbroken waterfall is open to the public.
“The catch? The waterfall, named aptly Gaping Gill, actually falls into the ground.
“Very helpful Bradford and Craven pothole clubs put a winch and take lucky members of the public, such as myself, all 100 meters down. How was it? In one word – awesome!”
The next trip down into the chasm will between the 25 May and 31 May for £20 per person.
The northern village, caves, and medieval street named among the most beautiful places in the UK
Daisy Jackson
The most beautiful places in the UK have been named, with several spots up north elbowing their way onto the list.
From mystical caves in the Lake District to the Mediterranean-style architecture in… Wales… there are so many stunning places to explore on our doorstep.
Time Out’s list of the 15 most beautiful places in the UK, compiled by travel writers, has picked out ‘pinch-me’ destinations across the nation.
Several of the places chosen are within a couple of hours’ drive of Manchester, too, so you really don’t have far to go to seek out the very best of the British isles.
One spot that was well-deserving of a mention is Portmeirion, a popular village in North Wales that’s famous for its colourful architecture.
The village is the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was inspired by the Mediterranean, which is plain to see in the colourful buildings and palm trees jutting out from an otherwise very British scene,
The tourist hotspot completed in 1975 and Time Out says it’s ‘like something out of a dream’.
The guide said: “This unique tourist village has established itself as the most romantic spot in north Wales.
“Of course, it certainly helps if it comes with Italianate architecture, colourful facades and an unforgettable sense of romance. How could you not fall for Portmeirion?”
Another spot in the north of England that has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK is Rydal Caves, tucked in the heart of the Lake District.
Now us Mancs know that nowhere in the country can compare to the majestic scenes right across the national park, but there is something really special about the dramatic cave system.
Located right between Grasmere and Ambleside, they’re accessible in just a 15 minute walk from the nearest car park.
Rydal Caves in the Lake District made Time Out’s list of the Most Beautiful Places. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios
You can leap across stepping stones all the way to the back of the cave, then look back out at the surrounding woodland through the cave’s huge entrance.
This spot was chosen by Netflix for scenes of the second season of The Witcher – told you it was magical.
Over in Yorkshire (and it’s a surprise to no one to see this on the list), is The Shambles in York.
The well-preserved medieval street features ramshackle buildings, cobbled street, and quaint little shops, and again looks like something straight out of a storybook.
Skipping over its gory past, Time Out said: “There are few easier, more atmospheric ways to transport yourself back hundreds of years (without the iffy smells and sights) than a stroll down Shambles.”