manchester

tourist guide

about manchester

Manchester is one of Britain's largest metropolitan conurbations, with 2.6 million people living within the central boundaries and over 7 million in Manchester's surrounding areas. As you would expect of Britain's second city, Manchester is the throbbing urban centre of the North West boasting a number of leading business organisations, leading retailers and entertainment venues.

Following the IRA bomb in 1996, Manchester underwent extensive redevelopment benefiting from huge investment including £1million of European Union finance.

Manchester's musical culture is infamous for leading the music scene in the UK. Bands such as the Happy Mondays and Oasis were heavily influential in altering popular music during the 1980's and 1990's and clubs such as the Hacienda revolutionised British dance culture.

Today, Manchester continues to have a strong musical culture with great live music venues and in recent years has experienced a huge increase in the number of bars located within the city centre. Offering Mediterranean style food and drink, Manchester's bars provide a great place for a night out or somewhere to relax and take a break from enjoying the city's great shopping.

The city's skyline reflects both its industrial heritage and modern success with buildings such as the Urbis museum and the Manchester cathedral both located within the cathedral gardens area of city centre. Looking at the Urbis, its unusual ramp-like shape dominates the approach to Manchester city centre. Built in 2002 it provides a stark contrast to the cathedral which previously marked the epicentre of medieval Manchester and originates from 1421 when the city was a small parish community. The Town Hall located in Albert Square can also be considered a lasting tribute to the Victorians civic pride.

From a former industrial centre to a dynamic innovator of the present, Manchester has three universities within its central area as well as Salford University located within the city borough. Cumulatively the Manchester student population are in excess of 50, 000 and add both to the city's economy and the buzz of the Manchester nightlife.

For anyone who wants to spend a short time away from the city life, there are three national parks within easy access including the Peak District, the Lake District and the Snowdonia national parks. Manchester is such a vibrant city that offers so much both to Mancunians and those people visiting the city that you're not likely to be able to leave Manchester for long!

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