Manchester’s skyline is a thing of beauty, isn’t it?
It’s ever-changing, instantly recognisable, a brilliant mix of old and new, and a real sight to behold from some of the hill tops right across the region – especially for those with a camera intent on capturing all its beauty.
But for aspiring photographers, where exactly is the best place to see the skyline in all its glory?
Originally hailing from Rzeszow in Poland, but calling Manchester his home for many years now, Tomasz has had the chance to see and capture the city skyline from many different angles up above, so his list was as about as definitive as you could get.
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By creating that initial list of his seven favourite hill views in Greater Manchester, Tomasz said he was hoping to “help those who want to start in cityscape photography but don’t know where to go”, admitting that “you don’t need to be a pilot of a drone to [capture] amazing images” of the city’s skyline and “you don’t need an expensive camera or super long zoom lens” either.
Explaining why he’s chosen to put together an updated list, Tomasz said: “It felt so good when people had written or said to me that my work inspired them to get out more, or that I helped them to become better photographers.
“This is why I kept looking for new places to go and it’s what led me to find another eight Manchester skyline photo spots.”
“I spent most of last year looking for the best place to capture cityscape of Manchester,” Tomasz explained.
“I have found a few interesting locations that led me to create my top seven best hilltop spots described in my previous post [but] at that time however, I was not aware about one spot that instantly became my favourite.
“This place is not only great for capturing amazing skyline photos, but also nice for portrait shoots or even an engagement session – especially for those who enjoy playing football.”
Scout Moor is the second largest on shore green energy provider in England, it supplies electricity to 40,000 homes across Manchester – and it’s earned a well-deserved place on Tomasz’s list.
He said: “It’s a perfect place to cycle on a mountain bike, or simply to walk around to enjoy a good view of the city.”
“Most of the presented images are captured with a telephoto lens at about 200mm,” he added.
A place every Mancunian knows well – and it’s got a special place in Tomasz’s heart.
Tomasz said: “It was the first park where I was taken by my friend when I arrived in Manchester all those years ago [and] I immediately fell in love with this place – I even moved house to be closer to it.”
“You can get really good shots of the town from the Temple area located at the north side of the park,” he added.
Tandle Hill is a real gem loved by many in Greater Manchester.
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“This place is not only a perfect spot for snapping the great cityscape of Manchester, but also a great to have quality time with your family at one of nearby picnic areas or a unique playground with a sand pit and long slide for kids,” Tomasz explained.
If you head just across the border into Cheshire, you’ll find a stunning view of the city.
Explaining how he came across this spot, Tomasz said: “As I was scouting for my new assignment, I found this great place at Alderley Edge with a unique perspective on Manchester skyline.
“Unlike other locations recently visited, this one offers a very clean foreground full of greenery perfectly highlighted with setting sun and Scout Moor wind farm visible in the background.”
As Tomasz puts perfectly, this is an “underrated” pick.
“One of best walks you can find and very underrated with great views over the city,”
While Greenbooth Reservoir has made it onto the list, Tomasz has admitted there’s one caveat – “there are power lines obstructing the view of the city, but it is possible to climb a bit higher on the north side to get a clean shot.”
“If you have never walked along River Irwell from Manchester to Salford Quays, there are certainly some of the best views on the city skyline worth checking out,” Tomasz reccommends.
“Although you’re never going to get a good view of the entire city due to low altitude like you can with spots mentioned earlier, I decided to include this location nonetheless because it’s such a good walk for anyone who is visiting town or those who are not aware.”
He added: “You can get both reflections on the river, as well as for those who enjoy long exposure photography as much as I do, there are Metrolink trams constantly passing by leaving plenty of light to capture.”
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You can see more of Tomasz Kozak’s work via his photography portfolio website here, and make sure to give him a follow on Facebook and Instagram too.
Manchester Christmas Markets slammed with negative reviews after doing exactly what people asked for
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Christmas Markets have been torn to shreds by several users on Tripadvisor this year.
Complaining about the huge festive event has become as traditional as the event itself for Mancs – too crowded, too expensive, too disruptive, etc etc.
Previous complaints have usually centred around the choice of traders working out of the market stalls, with people objecting to the repetitive pattern of bratwurst, mulled wine, ornament.
Many have also had a moan that too many traders travel over from Europe, and say that the markets take too much footfall away from the year-round local businesses positioned nearby.
So in recent years, the markets have started to go through a bit of a transformation.
The main one would be relocating down to Piccadilly Gardens, where a huge wooden festive village has been built, this year with live music stage, apres-ski-style bar, and a festive tipi.
Piccadilly Gardens Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
This is also home to a huge proportion of the food traders.
There’s even a secret bar here, hidden from view by a Narnia-like wardrobe entrance.
And as time goes on, more and more of the food traders are local to Manchester (this year including Parmogeddon, Oi Dumplings, Triple B and Yum Yum.
The Manchester Christmas Markets have listened to feedback and gone a bit more local overall, so you’d expect everyone would be pleased – but of course they’re not.
One scathing and lengthy review on Tripadvisor said: “Went on a day trip by coach to the Christmas Market, having been four years ago and LOVED it…sorry, but the difference between that experience and this year’s is like night and day.
“First of all, whose daft idea was it to have the market scattered across nine different locations? People who aren’t familiar with Manchester won’t know where all these locations are!
“The first part of the market I came across was a collection of food stalls, the bulk of them not displaying prices – is that legal? – and the entire set-up looked like a building site. No festive atmosphere at all, and sadly this continued the further I walked.
“Gone was the wonderful variety of Christmas ornaments and gifts, replaced by food and drink stalls and, strangely, a stall selling wooden garden furniture. There is nothing remotely Christmassy about an overpriced Kingdom of Sweets stall, and when I came across a second one several minutes later I gave up and killed time in a Wetherspoons until my coach left to take everyone home.
Credit: Manchester Christmas Markets ( via Twitter )
“I wasn’t the only person let down by the experience, either; when an elderly lady boarded the coach on its way home, she was heard to mutter, “Well, I’d have been ready to go home three hours ago.” I’m writing this trip off as a learning experience – and what I learned is that I won’t be going to this market again next year.”
A parent who visited said: “Where to start. This was my families first and last visit to Manchester, The Christmas Market felt very poorly planned with stalls not in one area. People kept knocking into my children manners seem to be missing in Manchester as a whole.”
Someone else wrote in a one-star review: “Ridiculous prices, paid £6 for a hot dog for my son & was then charges £1 extra for tomato sauce, sorry but that is taking the mick.. usual stores have gone and replaced with food, drink or overpriced large goods. The Christmas feeling just wasn’t there this year :(.”
Another person said: “I visited the Christmas Market at the weekend with a friend and it felt more like a food festival than a Market. No price lists displayed. Utter waste of time. Cheaper to go the ones abroad.”
One reviewer said: “Nothing at all Christmassy, pre-covid they was lovely stalls seeming Christmas ornaments ets, now it’s all good and drink mostly £15 for 2 mugs of hot chocolate, cocktails £9 for a snowball just pure greed, very disappointed, definitely won’t be back this year or in near future.”
Someone else wrote: “All about overpriced food and repetitive stalls. Nothing European about it and not what it once was. £10 for a sausage save your money and try a market in actual Europe.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Grealish holds his hands up over Almirón dig: ‘I do stupid stuff’
Danny Jones
Jack Grealish has finally held his hands up after mocking Miguel Almirón, assuring that while he has made mistakes in career, he has a “good heart”.
Speaking to the media at the national camp in Qatar, the footballer was asked about his now-infamous dig at the Newcastle player, quipping that teammate Riyad Mahrez “played like Almirón” in a sub-par performance during Manchester City‘s 2021/22 title-winning match back in May.
Ironically, Grealish‘s Almiron joke has preceded an incredible run of form from the winger this year, arguably being their player of the season with eight goals to his name already.
Despite the 28-year-old insisting he has “never really paid attention” to what people say about him, he will have inevitably seen the viral clip.
Jack Grealish saying that Mahrez should have been taken off the pitch v Aston Villa because he was playing like Newcastle United’s player Miguel Almirón.
Nevertheless, the England and City star took accountability for the unnecessary outburst, confessing, “I do stupid stuff, that was one”, whilst assuring: “Obviously I’ve done stupid stuff in my life but I think everything that I do good is from my heart.”
The 27-year-old went on to say that describe his Premier League peer as a “great player”, adding: “what a guy… if that was me and somebody had said that about me, I’d have probably been the other way and been like: ‘f*** it'”.
While he said he didn’t think the drunken video would go public, he knows it wasn’t the most professional of moments and that not only is he “buzzing” to see Almirón playing so well but that he will be sure to “show him the most respect” the next time they meet on the pitch.
All in all, we know Jack is a decent bloke: his special tribute to superfan Finlay following his goal at the World Cup alone tells us that and is just one of many instances.
Here he is surprising Finlay once again with a FaceTime after he dedicated his celebration to the 11-year-old as promised.
Emily Sergeant -
29th August 2021 
