When most people think about apartment living in Manchester, our minds will conjure up the obvious – a big converted mill building with beams and brick walls.
But those of us who’ve tried flat-hunting in the last decade will know that these beautiful old buildings are actually few and far between these days.
Enter Kampus, and specifically the Minshull Warehouse building, where the apartments are as classically Manchester as it gets.
This former Victorian textiles warehouse (told you it was very Manc) has been converted into a beautiful building of one-and-two bedroom flats, where historic brickwork sits alongside modern, modular fittings.
The building itself is woven into Manchester’s history, having been the birthplace of Baracuta’s iconic Harrington Jacket.
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And now it’s making a modern-day name for itself too, as part of Kampus’s leafy, independent neighbourhood.
Kampus let us into one of the two-bedroom Minshull Warehouse apartments for a nosey, and the pictures really speak for themselves.
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As you walk into this top-floor apartment, the first thing that strikes you is the huge vaulted ceiling, with a skylight insert that is flooding the space with (admittedly rare) sunlight.
It’s a massive open-plan living space, fully furnished with a comfy couch and armchair.
These Kampus apartments come with a huge open-plan living space
The dining area is positioned by a large window that overlooks the carefully landscaped Kampus grounds (this neighbourhood is all about the greenery) and over to the historic university buildings on Sackville Street.
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There’s a well-equipped kitchen too, with an integrated fridge and dishwasher, plus a huge cupboard that’s home to a washing machine.
Another rarity in the Manchester rental market is that the two bedrooms are almost exactly the same size, so there’s no scrapping over who gets lumped with the box room.
The master bedroom in the Minshull Street apartment at KampusThe second bedroom in the Minshull Street apartment at Kampus
The ‘master’ bedroom has its own huge en suite, which is a plus, but the other bedroom can make use of the main bathroom which is also enormous.
And the second bedroom gets an extra built-in wardrobe – we know which one we’d pick.
Throughout the Minshull Street apartment you’ll find restored details amongst the modern makeover, in massive wooden ceiling beams and exposed brick walls.
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And of course, your rent at Kampus doesn’t just cover your beautiful new pad.
Amenities at Kampus include access to a private cinemaThere’s also a roof terrace for Kampus residents
It also includes all the amenities that have been built into the neighbourhood’s redevelopment, from the huge communal gym to the lush gardens.
There’s a roof terrace, a cinema, private dining room, co-working spaces, lounges and loads more facilities exclusively for Kampus residents.
Popular children’s TV star to make special visit to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this weekend
Emily Sergeant
You can take your little Mancs down to meet the star of one of their favourite TV shows at the Science and Industry Museum this weekend.
In case you hadn’t heard, May is currently ‘Brilliant Bodies’ month down at Manchester‘s iconic Science and Industry Museum, and there’s a whole host of themed interactive and educational activities lined up ready for schools across Greater Manchester to be out for half term – with something for everyone of all ages to get stuck into.
Anatomy-themed special events, star-studded appearances, and half term transformations are just some of the things on the “gloriously gross” schedule.
But, of course, one of the highlights of ‘Brilliant Bodies’ month has to be the world-first exhibition Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You at the heart of it all – which is based off the popular children’s BBC show of the same name.
Popular children’s TV star to make special visit to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum / Credit: Science Museum Group
The family-friendly exhibition – which is coming to a close after a massively-successful run in our city on Sunday 9 June – gives visitors the chance understand more about the inner workings of their own bodies, and the important role science plays in supporting our digestive health.
If you haven’t had the chance to check out the exhibition yet, and are keen to do so before it bids its final farewell, then this bank holiday weekend couldn’t be a more ideal time, as one of the stars of the Operation Ouch!TV show, Dr Ronx, is making a special visit to the museum on Saturday.
And this is your chance to meet them.
Anyone who books tickets to visit Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You between 11:30am-1pm, and 3pm-4pm, on Saturday 25 May, will not only have the chance to explore the role of each organ in the digestive system during a “rib-tickling adventure”, but will also get the opportunity to grab a selfie with Dr Ronx from inside the exhibition.
Visitors will be guided through the exhibition by videos and illustrations of Operation Ouch! hosts, Dr Chris, Dr Xand, and Dr Ronx, all before getting to meet Dr Ronx themself.
Dr Ronx will also be hosting three Q&A sessions throughout the day too, and you can see them take to the stage at 10:30am, 2:10pm, and 4:30pm.
Tickets to visit the museum and exhibition on Saturday 25 May are now available to book.
Free standard museum entry tickets will give you access to the Q&As with Dr Ronx, but an exhibition ticket must be purchased for specific times for the photo opportunity, and these are limited, so booking as soon as possible is encouraged to avoid disappointment.
Sora – Manchester’s newest rooftop restaurant offers an Oriental adventure with its afternoon tea
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s newest restaurant openings has been receiving plenty of attention thanks to its rooftop views right across the city centre skyline.
But even without the incredible setting, the food at Sora is deserving of attention too.
This beautiful restaurant has a pan-Asian menu of small plates and robatayaki (a Japanese barbecue) dishes, as well as an afternoon tea that’s a little more interesting than your average.
Sora’s afternoon tea experience promises a ‘sensory journey to the orient’ through perfect bites of sushi, savoury dishes, and sweet treats.
For just £35 per person, you’re treated to a tower of delicacies, with a free cocktail added in for readers of The Manc (claim yours at the bottom of this article).
The afternoon tea’s savouries feature tempura prawns with sweet chilli sauce, a cucumber sesame salad, chicken yakitori with tamarind and peanut, and pork belly with burnt apple puree.
Then there are a couple of beautiful sushi dishes – a spicy tuna gunkan and classic California rolls.
The views from Sora in Malmaison in Manchester. Credit: SuppliedThe Manc readers can get a free cocktail when booking afternoon tea at Sora. Credit: The Manc Group
The sweet treats go way beyond your usual scones and Victoria sponges too, infusing exciting flavours from across Asia in this twist on a British tradition.
There’s a blueberry bergamot roll, a matcha chocolate slice, a mango coconut dome, and dinky miso caramel chocolate tarts.
Oh, there are still scones too – these ones are matcha flavoured, with a kumquat compote and clotted cream.
Even the crockery is amazing – the afternoon treats are served on a tower of plates arranged around a ceramic golden stork.
There’s a massive list of cocktails to choose from at Sora, from cherry blossom negronis to passion fruit mai tais.