The English city of Manchester is called the treasure of the north.
Perhaps this statement is a little exaggerated, but everyone who has been there in person will definitely confirm that this is a very pleasant city that has something to offer tourists. Once a settlement around a Roman fort, today it is a bustling city that has survived terrorist attacks and economic downturns.
If you have already played enough online casino real money NZ and decided to go on a trip to England, visit this wonderful northern city to see its sights with your own eyes.
1. Manchester Town Hall
The Town Hall, built in 1877 by Alfred Waterhouse, is a stunning example of the Victorian era. As the main building of the Manchester City Council, which still houses many of the city’s offices, this building is striking in its beauty both outside and inside. Waterhouse gave the building a neo-Gothic style, taking elements of the early 13th century Gothic. Today, the town hall is considered one of the finest examples of the Victorian neo-Gothic style. The large hall is decorated with high arches inside, and the names of mayors, lord mayors, and consuls are engraved on the skylights. No tourist has yet passed by a delightful castle with a rich history.
2. Imperial War Museum North
As a complement to the Imperial Museum in London, the North Museum stands out for its strong emphasis on art. The museum is dedicated to researching the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. The original building of the museum is located in a beautiful area overlooking the Manchester Canal, which during the Second World War was a leading industrial center, which was bombed in 1940.
3. Old Trafford
The grandiose park, located on the outskirts of Manchester, is famous for the fact that on its territory the famous stadium of the world-famous football club Manchester United, as well as a cricket field, so (unless of course, you hate Manchester United) you just need to visit the stadium – the second largest in the United Kingdom, with a capacity of 75,635 people. No wonder the stadium is called the “Theater of Dreams”! Every fan’s dreams can come true – special tours include a visit to the Manchester United Museum and Mega market, guided by a former club player!
Art & Culture
Plans for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have been green-lit
Danny Jones
Proposals for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have officially been approved, with the overall regeneration plans valued somewhere in the region of £500 million.
The Greater Manchester town has long been accused of being neglected by local authorities and investors, but now natives and those living in and around the area are being asked to consult on what has the potential to be a huge transformation.
Wythenshawe town centre could look almost unrecognisable should everything go according to plan, not to mention inject a much-needed boost to the arts and creative industries in the area.
Put simply, this could be huge for a place long overlooked and deserving of some TLC.
Credit: Manchester City Council
The simply titled ‘Culture Hub’ will aim to create a new community outlet and environment for everyone to enjoy, allowing them access to professional facilities and support, as well as further tap into that vital grassroots culture and creativity.
While the UK government has a total of £4.8bn set aside for infrastructure and regional disparity works that fall under the initiative, the Culture Hub was set to cost £20m back then, though Wythenshawe is looking for an estimated half a billion to upgrade their town centre.
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As per an official press release, the hub is set to sit within Civic – Wythy’s much-loved shopping complex – and will include space for food and drink on the ground floor, as well as a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes or local events on the first floor.
The Council itself is set to contribute a further £11.9m, as they hope to back future plans for a bustling new food hall spilling out onto an updated public square, with new workspaces for independent start-ups and growing Manc businesses.
Credit: MCC
Meanwhile, a new 200-seater performance space will be created on the second floor, “providing a backdrop for a diverse range of performances, whether it’s dance or drama, music or modern art, there’ll be something for everyone.”
As touched upon, a larger public square will also be included, with improved outdoor areas, new paving and, crucially, more trees, plants and green spaces to make the town centre a much more natural, vibrant and welcoming space.
Private construction company Muse was appointed as the development partner for the new cultural hub and further Wythenshawe town centre regeneration initiative back in August 2024; as a local firm, they have a heavily vested interest in the 30,000 sq ft site and the surrounding area.
Work on the Culture Hub is due to commence this autumn, with the opening scheduled for some time in early 2027 – touch wood.
Credit: Manchester City Council (MCC)
Councillor Gavin White, who serves as an executive member on Manchester City Council’s executive housing and development team, said:“The Culture Hub planning approval is a really exciting milestone in the long-term regeneration of Civic.
“This is a statement of intent of how serious we are about investing in Wythenshawe’s town centre – and this is an early sign of what is to come. We want to build on the destination potential of Civic, create opportunities for local people and visitors to spend time in the area, and widen the offer for our residents to enjoy and participate in the arts right on their doorstep.
“High streets are the soul of our communities and we are investing heavily in our town centres across the city, including Gorton and Moston, to celebrate how they bring people together, support businesses and help grow local economies.
“This is just the start for Wythenshawe, and the conversation we are having with local people is ongoing to make sure we can be guided by the very people who live and work in this community. I’d urge as many people as possible to tell us what they think about the future of their area.”
Joe Stockton, senior development manager at Muse, added:“Getting the green light for the new Culture Hub is a major milestone in our once-in-a-generation plans to work with local people to transform Wythenshawe town centre.
“The feedback that we’ve received so far for the hub has been really positive with many seeing it as a creative space where people and groups of all ages can spend time, learn new skills and explore culture in a positive way.”
“We look forward to getting started on construction later this year, which we hope the people of Wythenshawe will see as a significant sign of our intent to drive this project forward with their ongoing support.”
Featured Images — CGIs via Manchester City Council
Art & Culture
Free summer artisan festival series announced at revived iconic Manchester market hall
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s historic market halls has been revived for a new era, and a series of summer festivals are set to celebrate.
That’s right – an iconic Manchester building is rebirthed, and everyone is invited.
As part of the unveiling of the newly-revived Campfield Mega Campus, a grade II-listed building that will be returning to its original purpose as a bustling market hall for the first time this century, Department and GRUB has announced the return of The Weekender – a one-of-a-kind artisanal festival taking place on several dates.
After years of ‘transformative’ and ‘restorative’ work to turn the space into what it is today, this will be the first chance the public has had to step foot into the former market building that’s now repurposed as one of the UK’s most exciting creative and tech campuses.
Just as the name suggests, The Weekender will run exclusively on weekends, while during the week, the campus will become a ‘vibrant hub’ for innovation and entrepreneurship that houses Manchester’s flagship accelerator programme supporting the next generation of digital and creative businesses.
Kicking off for the first time on Saturday 28 June from 10am-4pm, The Weekender at Campfield will host a curated makers market, live music, creative classes, kids activities, top street food, delicious beverages, and a few other creative surprises.
On the day, visitors will be able to browse from more than 30 hand-picked independent traders showcasing the very best from Manchester’s flourishing makers and producers scene.
Free artisan festivals are coming to a revived iconic Manchester market hall this summer / Credit: Supplied
You can expect everything from bakers, brewers, and jewellers, to florists, bee keepers, distillers, crafters, printers, picklers, illustrators, chefs, and so many more, all trading under the magnificent skylights of Campfield.
DJs selected by award-winning broadcaster, Reform Radio, will also be playing throughout the day, alongside surprise big-name buskers.
Then beyond the markets and music, there’ll also be opportunities to try your hand at laughter yoga, life drawing, and other creative classes.
You can expect everything from bakers and brewers, to jewellers, florists, and more / Credit: Supplied
“GRUB has always believed in creating spaces where people can come together to enjoy great food and local talent,” says Jason Bailey, who is the co-founder of GRUB
“We’re thrilled to be part of Campfield’s next chapter – it brings together everything we champion at GRUB independent makers, grass-roots culture, and community-led experiences, and we can’t wait to see this astounding Manchester building buzzing with that energy again.”
The Weekender is free to attend and everyone is welcome on Saturday 28 June, where doors will be open between 10am and 4pm – with a schedule of events happening and tickets to workshops available to book here.
The festival will also return to Campfield again on 26 July and 30 August with new events, activities, and traders, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements.