Manchester

Manchester’s most sunshine-soaked beer gardens to visit this weekend

Arlo Wolf has launched an interactive map featuring Manchester's beer gardens that get the most sunshine - which could come in handy this weekend.

The Manc The Manc - 16th July 2021

Mancunian locals don’t ordinarily need much of an excuse to sit outside.

As soon as the sun pops out from behind the clouds, we obediently take a pew outside the pub and bask in the rays for as long as possible. But this weekend, you lot will be flocking to beer gardens because believe it or not, there’s a heatwave incoming.

Thousands of revellers across the city will be searching for Manchester’s suntraps as “Ibiza-style weather” visits the region.

To make things easier for you, Arlo Wolf has launched an interactive map featuring the beer gardens in Manchester that get the most sunshine.

You can view the map online.

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Atlas Bar

The bars featured on the map include:

  1. Atlas Bar

Located in the railway arches of Deansgate, this industrial-style bar serves over 500 different types of gins from all across the globe – boasting a south-facing beer garden that invites in the sunshine.

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  1. Dukes 92 

A splendid canalside bar with a beautiful south-facing patio, Dukes has become a firm favourite with the Castlefield crowd and attracts big crowds every summer.

  1. The Wharf 

Dukes 92’s handsome neighbour The Wharf is also home to a large sun terrace that overlooks Castlefield Basin – with a huge selection of drinks and food available.

  1. BrewDog, Peter Street 

All the recent talk in Manchester has been about the upcoming BrewDog Hotel, but right now the top place to sip a pint of Punk IPA is on Peter Street – which has a small yet nicely-shaped outdoor terrace that catches plenty of rays.

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Dukes 92
  1. The Corn Exchange & Oyster Bar

From Banyan Bar & Kitchen to The Cosy Club, The Corn Exchange’s restaurants will go al fresco from next week. The south-facing square is always a guaranteed hit in the summertime. There’s also Oyster Bar nearby – which has been firm favourite with locals for decades.

  1. Scene Indian Street Kitchen 

Located in the heart of Spinningfields and overlooking the River Irwell, Scene Indian Street Kitchen is relaunching next week with its sun-drenched outdoor terrace. Great-tasting grub and mouth-watering cocktails will all be on the menu.

  1. The Oast House

Arguably Manchester’s most popular beer garden ever due to its size and stature, The Oast House is also apparently one of the likeliest places to get some sunshine. It’s going to be busy this summer, that’s for sure…

  1. Impossible 

Impossible is home to a long, stretching outdoor terrace on the other side of Peter Street – and the venue is all set to relaunch on April 12 with a brand new menu. Bottomless brunch is also returning.

Welcome back, summer!

Manchester

Manchester palaeontologist unearths bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A Manchester-based palaeontologist has unearthed the bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile.

This new identification is a crucial part of a fascinating eight-year long discovery journey.

It all started when a seasoned fossil collector named Paul de la Salle found a giant jawbone on Lilstock Beach, near Bridgewater in Somerset, back in May 2016, and then father and daughter, Justin and Ruby Reynolds from Devon, found the first pieces of a second jawbone and another giant bone while searching for fossils on the beach at Blue Anchor, also in Somerset, in May 2020.

And now, a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester (UoM) Dr Dean Lomax, has identified the fossilised remains of the second gigantic jawbone that measures more than two metres long.

Experts have identified these bones as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur – which is a type of prehistoric marine reptile – and astonishing estimations suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25-metres long.

Dr Lomax has been working together with Justin and Ruby Reynolds, along with Paul de la Salle and several family members, since the father-daughter duo first contacted them about their groundbreaking discovery in 2020.

A Manchester palaeontologist has unearthed bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile / Credit: UoM

“I was amazed by Justin and Ruby’s find,” Dr Lomax commented.

“In 2018, my team and Paul de la Salle studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone, and we had hoped that one day another would come to light.”

He explained that Justin and Ruby’s new specimen was “more complete and better preserved” than the first find, and that he “became very excited” at the chance to learn more following their discovery.

As mentioned, the Manchester-based research team, led by Dr Lomax, revealed that the jaw bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that would’ve been about the size of a blue whale, and they have called the new genus and species Ichthyotitan severnensis – which means ‘giant fish lizard of the Severn’.

The bones – which represent the very last of their kind – are around 202 million years old, and date back to the end of the Triassic Period in a time known as the Rhaetian.

During this time, the gigantic ichthyosaurs swam the seas while the dinosaurs walked on land.

The University of Manchester, where Dr Dean Lomax works as a palaeontologist / Credit: UoM

Ichthyotitan is not the world’s first giant ichthyosaur, but the discoveries by Paul, and Justin and Ruby, are said to be “unique among those known to science”, as they appear roughly 13 million years after their latest geologic relatives – including Shonisaurus sikanniensis from British Columbia in Canada, and Himalayasaurus tibetensis from Tibet in China.

Speaking on the confirmation of the bones’ identification this week, Dr Lomax said: “This research has been ongoing for almost eight years.

“It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period.

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“These jawbones provide tantalising evidence that perhaps one day a complete skull or skeleton of one of these giants might be found.”

Featured Image – UoM

Manchester

One of Manchester’s largest hotels has reopened after an ‘extensive’ £33m renovation

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of the largest hotels in Manchester city centre has now reopened its doors to the public following an “extensive” £33 million renovation.

A new chapter is officially underway for Manchester‘s Marriott Hotel in Piccadilly.

Conveniently located next to Manchester Piccadilly train station, and what is a world-class and ever-popular urban neighbourhood in Mayfield, the Piccadilly Marriott hotel is the second Marriott hotel in the city centre, and following its wide-scale refurbishment, the new premises now offers “a contemporary destination for travellers“.

A stunning bistro-style restaurant and bar, a large function room, 11 meeting rooms, a 24/7 ‘MClub’ lounge, a state-of-the-art gym, and an Elemis spa with six treatment rooms and a thermal suite, can all be found inside the new hotel.

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly has now reopened following a £33m refurbishment / Credit: Supplied

Known as the largest four-star hotel in the city centre, Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly boasts 338 “generous” bedrooms spread across eight floors with “unparalleled comfort” and interior design that gives a nod to the neighbourhood’s industrial and music heritage.

The biggest standard-sized rooms in Manchester, 16 ‘Panoramic Suites’, and a selection of family rooms, are just some of the accommodation options the hotel now offers.

As well as the rooms, Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly is also considered to be one of the best hotels in the city for both corporate and social events, with meeting rooms, function rooms, and more all on site, and now, thanks to the recent renovations, these refurbished spaces all include the latest in digital screen technology, audio-visual equipment, high-speed WiFi, and air conditioning.

The 338-room hotel is now one of the largest in Manchester city centre following the “extensive refurbishment” / Credit: Supplied

The new hotel is also home to Manchester’s only Marriott brand exclusive, MClub Lounge – which is a unique club lounge space designed to be the perfect place to relax, socialise, or meet for business.

The hotel’s stunning new spa is also described as being a “haven of wellness”, as it boasts six treatment rooms in partnership with award-winning British skincare brand, Elemis.

The stunning new premises now offers “a contemporary destination for travellers” / Credit: Supplied

Speaking as the new hotel opens its doors this week, Stephen Rycroft, who is the General Manager of Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly, commented: “We are excited to be part of this launch, bringing the flagship Marriott brand to this grand hotel, as it’s grand in both innovative design and size, making it the largest hotel in Manchester city centre.

“Our team is committed to providing exceptional experiences for both business and leisure guests alike.”

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Prices for rooms at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly start from just £129 per night, and you can find out more and book online here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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