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*'''Chetham's Library''' is Manchester's best kept secret - even most residents of the city are largely oblivious to its existence. Europe's oldest English language Public Library is tucked away next to the futuristic Urbis just off Millenium Square. One of Manchester's oldest buildings, it still has the original collection of books, all chained to their shelves. This is where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels would visit while in Manchester and where Engels wrote the world-changing book 'The Condition of the Working Classes in England', a key influence on the development of Communism. You can still sit in the window seat where they would talk. The 15th century structure is part of Chetham's Music School - despite the lack of signs, simply ask at the security hut and they will happily let you in for free.
*'''Chetham's Library''' is Manchester's best kept secret - even most residents of the city are largely oblivious to its existence. Europe's oldest English language Public Library is tucked away next to the futuristic Urbis just off Millenium Square. One of Manchester's oldest buildings, it still has the original collection of books, all chained to their shelves. This is where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels would visit while in Manchester and where Engels wrote the world-changing book 'The Condition of the Working Classes in England', a key influence on the development of Communism. You can still sit in the window seat where they would talk. The 15th century structure is part of Chetham's Music School - despite the lack of signs, simply ask at the security hut and they will happily let you in for free.
−
*'''St
.
Mary's, The Hidden Gem''', near [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|Albert Square]]. The oldest post-Reformation Catholic church in the country, dating from 1794. It contains one of the greatest pieces of art in Manchester, and the altar is quite magnificent. This is a quiet refuge from the noise of the city.
+
*'''St Mary's, The Hidden Gem''', near [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|Albert Square]]. The oldest post-Reformation Catholic church in the country, dating from 1794. It contains one of the greatest pieces of art in Manchester, and the altar is quite magnificent. This is a quiet refuge from the noise of the city.
*The futuristic '''Trinity Bridge''', designed by the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava, who was heavily involved in the designs for the Olympic village in Barcelona, is in the Chapel Wharf Area. This links the twin cities of Manchester and Salford, leading to the five star Lowry Hotel on the Salford bank. It is all a block behind Kendals, near The Freemasons' Hall. A nice pleasant view.
*The futuristic '''Trinity Bridge''', designed by the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava, who was heavily involved in the designs for the Olympic village in Barcelona, is in the Chapel Wharf Area. This links the twin cities of Manchester and Salford, leading to the five star Lowry Hotel on the Salford bank. It is all a block behind Kendals, near The Freemasons' Hall. A nice pleasant view.
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Even in the most upmarket stores you are treated in a friendly manner, which many think is not the case in the capital. The recently redeveloped Arndale Centre is a large 1970's city-centre shopping precinct, with 280 stores across just under 185 000 m² of retail space making it the largest city centre shopping centre in Europe, including the largest Next store in the world. The place retains some of its 1970's concrete charms and STILL some of the infamous yellow tiles that are a testament to bad urban planning of that era. It is connected via link bridge to the Marks and Spencer and Selfridges department stores adjacent in Exchange Square. Part awaits an update to the exterior, but the section modernised after the 1996 bomb is a great improvement, although different to that of The Trafford Centre with a more modern simplistic feel compared with the grand exterior of the Trafford Centre. The inside has had a total revamp. It does get very busy at weekends and, unlike at The Trafford Centre, there are far too few places to sit down. If you do need to sit down there are a few benches on the lower floor around the staircase near the market.
Even in the most upmarket stores you are treated in a friendly manner, which many think is not the case in the capital. The recently redeveloped Arndale Centre is a large 1970's city-centre shopping precinct, with 280 stores across just under 185 000 m² of retail space making it the largest city centre shopping centre in Europe, including the largest Next store in the world. The place retains some of its 1970's concrete charms and STILL some of the infamous yellow tiles that are a testament to bad urban planning of that era. It is connected via link bridge to the Marks and Spencer and Selfridges department stores adjacent in Exchange Square. Part awaits an update to the exterior, but the section modernised after the 1996 bomb is a great improvement, although different to that of The Trafford Centre with a more modern simplistic feel compared with the grand exterior of the Trafford Centre. The inside has had a total revamp. It does get very busy at weekends and, unlike at The Trafford Centre, there are far too few places to sit down. If you do need to sit down there are a few benches on the lower floor around the staircase near the market.
[[File:Trafford Centre escalators.jpg|thumb|300px|The Trafford Centre]]
[[File:Trafford Centre escalators.jpg|thumb|300px|The Trafford Centre]]
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There are a number of large shops aimed at bargain hunters, including the largest Primark in the country, which is great for a bargain and much loved by
US
cabin
crew when in town
, and an Aldi food hall on Market Street (just off [[Manchester/Piccadilly - East Centre|Piccadilly Gardens]]).
+
There are a number of large shops aimed at bargain hunters, including the largest Primark in the country, which is great for a bargain and much loved by
visiting
cabin
crews
, and an Aldi food hall on Market Street (just off [[Manchester/Piccadilly - East Centre|Piccadilly Gardens]]).
The [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|Millennium Quarter]] (at the back of the Arndale Centre) is now quite smart and good for shopping. There's '''The Corn Exchange''', an upmarket shopping centre based in (you guessed it!) the beautiful old Corn Exchange, worth a visit for the building alone and '''Selfridges''', spread across 5 floors with its large Louis Vuitton concession and fantastic food hall in the basement. You will find everything from sushi to fine chocolates, kosher foods, to a juice bar, etc. '''Harvey Nichols''', opposite the Triangle, offers luxury fashions and produce to Manchester's rich and famous. The centre of Manchester's shopping area has traditionally been [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|St. Ann's Square]], and there are many shops nearby.
The [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|Millennium Quarter]] (at the back of the Arndale Centre) is now quite smart and good for shopping. There's '''The Corn Exchange''', an upmarket shopping centre based in (you guessed it!) the beautiful old Corn Exchange, worth a visit for the building alone and '''Selfridges''', spread across 5 floors with its large Louis Vuitton concession and fantastic food hall in the basement. You will find everything from sushi to fine chocolates, kosher foods, to a juice bar, etc. '''Harvey Nichols''', opposite the Triangle, offers luxury fashions and produce to Manchester's rich and famous. The centre of Manchester's shopping area has traditionally been [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|St. Ann's Square]], and there are many shops nearby.
−
King Street and Spring Gardens to the immediate [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|north of the city centre]] offer a '''Vivienne Westwood''' store (a local girl, from the nearby Peak District),''' Joseph''' and''' DKNY''', as well as '''Emporio Armani''' and '''Collezione'''; these catering for, amongst others, the city's Premiership footballers, soap stars ("Coronation Street" has been produced in the city since the early sixties
!
), and the many media types who can also be found in the area.
+
King Street and Spring Gardens to the immediate [[Manchester/Victoria - Shopping District|north of the city centre]] offer a '''Vivienne Westwood''' store (a local girl, from the nearby Peak District),''' Joseph''' and''' DKNY''', as well as '''Emporio Armani''' and '''Collezione'''; these catering for, amongst others, the city's Premiership footballers, soap stars ("Coronation Street" has been produced in the city since the early sixties), and the many media types who can also be found in the area.
[[Manchester/Spinningfields - Albert Square|'''Deansgate''']] has a fair number upmarket stores, as do some of the roads off it.''' The House of Fraser''' store, considered by many to be the top people's shop, (still known as "Kendals" to most Manchester people and "Kendal Milne's" to an even older generation) is on Deansgate and has been on roughly the same site since the mid-19th century. It is somewhat old school and the eating places are worth a visit. The new Champagne bar, on the third floor, is the latest addition. One of central Manchester's few quiet green squares is just behind the store. This is Parsonage Gardens. Deansgate is also home to Ed Hardy, The General Store, Edwards as well as some high end restaurants.
[[Manchester/Spinningfields - Albert Square|'''Deansgate''']] has a fair number upmarket stores, as do some of the roads off it.''' The House of Fraser''' store, considered by many to be the top people's shop, (still known as "Kendals" to most Manchester people and "Kendal Milne's" to an even older generation) is on Deansgate and has been on roughly the same site since the mid-19th century. It is somewhat old school and the eating places are worth a visit. The new Champagne bar, on the third floor, is the latest addition. One of central Manchester's few quiet green squares is just behind the store. This is Parsonage Gardens. Deansgate is also home to Ed Hardy, The General Store, Edwards as well as some high end restaurants.
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* The small but perfectly-stocked food section of Harvey Nichols has a particularly fine wine department. Wines range from relatively inexpensive to the highest levels, e.g. Château Latour, vertical ranges of Petrus, Vega Sicilia, etc. They are still remarkably good value in context, e.g. 1990 Krug Clos de Mesnil 1990, arguably the greatest Champagne ever made and incomparably finer than the footballer's wildly overrated Crystal is about £150 cheaper than usually quoted elsewhere.
* The small but perfectly-stocked food section of Harvey Nichols has a particularly fine wine department. Wines range from relatively inexpensive to the highest levels, e.g. Château Latour, vertical ranges of Petrus, Vega Sicilia, etc. They are still remarkably good value in context, e.g. 1990 Krug Clos de Mesnil 1990, arguably the greatest Champagne ever made and incomparably finer than the footballer's wildly overrated Crystal is about £150 cheaper than usually quoted elsewhere.
−
*Of late, there is a flower market at the Market Street corner of Piccadilly Gardens Thursday through Saturday from 10:00-
18:00. Some food stalls and craft stalls can be found there too.
+
*Of late, there is a flower market at the Market Street corner of Piccadilly Gardens Thursday through Saturday from 10:00-18:00. Some food stalls and craft stalls can be found there too.
*Also hunt out the Craft and Design Centre, in the old Smithfield Market Building, in The Northern Quarter. The complex is full of artist studio space and boutiques, as well as a cafe.
*Also hunt out the Craft and Design Centre, in the old Smithfield Market Building, in The Northern Quarter. The complex is full of artist studio space and boutiques, as well as a cafe.
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*There are regular events in Albert Square, St Ann's Square and on New Cathedral Street, all year around, where you can buy art, listen to music and sample foods from far and wide.
*There are regular events in Albert Square, St Ann's Square and on New Cathedral Street, all year around, where you can buy art, listen to music and sample foods from far and wide.
−
*If catering for yourself, there are several '''Sainsbury's Local''' stores located around the city centre
(
at Oxford Road, Mosley Street, Quay Street, Bridge Street, Piccadilly Station
)
. '''Tesco Metro''' supermarkets can be found on Market Street (the largest supermarket in the centre), on Piccadilly and on Quay Street, which is near the aforementioned Sainsbury's and Granada TV. '''M&S''' food outlets are located within the M&S store next to Selfridges and there are also '''M&S Simply Food''' stores at Piccadilly Gardens and within Piccadilly Station. You will find increasingly popular '''Co-op''' food stores near both Victoria, by the movement's headquarters, opposite the Arndale Market, at Piccadilly Gardens and just outside Piccadilly station. For more upmarket food products, '''Harvey Nichols''' has a deli and foodhall as does '''Selfridges'''. The city centre's first '''Waitrose''' store opened near The Avenue development in [[Spinningfields-Albert Square|Spinningfields]], with another expected to open on the approach road to Piccadilly station very soon. At the other end of the spectrum there is the Arndale Market and a large '''Aldi''' store in the Arndale Centre, which is, in common with most UK outlets, much more upmarket than the stores in Germany. This is also accessible from Market Street. There is also a '''Lidl''' and a '''Tesco''' on Oxford Road near Manchester Royal Infirmary.
+
*If catering for yourself, there are several '''Sainsbury's Local''' stores located around the city centre
,
at Oxford Road, Mosley Street, Quay Street, Bridge Street, Piccadilly Station. '''Tesco Metro''' supermarkets can be found on Market Street (the largest supermarket in the centre), on Piccadilly and on Quay Street, which is near the aforementioned Sainsbury's and Granada TV. '''M&S''' food outlets are located within the M&S store next to Selfridges and there are also '''M&S Simply Food''' stores at Piccadilly Gardens and within Piccadilly Station. You will find increasingly popular '''Co-op''' food stores near both Victoria, by the movement's headquarters, opposite the Arndale Market, at Piccadilly Gardens and just outside Piccadilly station. For more upmarket food products, '''Harvey Nichols''' has a deli and foodhall as does '''Selfridges'''. The city centre's first '''Waitrose''' store opened near The Avenue development in [[Spinningfields-Albert Square|Spinningfields]], with another expected to open on the approach road to Piccadilly station very soon. At the other end of the spectrum there is the Arndale Market and a large '''Aldi''' store in the Arndale Centre, which is, in common with most UK outlets, much more upmarket than the stores in Germany. This is also accessible from Market Street. There is also a '''Lidl''' and a '''Tesco''' on Oxford Road near Manchester Royal Infirmary.
*For something a little bit different, the newly refurbished Manchester Arndale Market features many food stalls, including a rather large fish store and a butchers. Chinatown has many specialist shops and the landmark '''Wing Yip''' superstore on Oldham Road in the Northern Quarter is excellent for everything oriental.
*For something a little bit different, the newly refurbished Manchester Arndale Market features many food stalls, including a rather large fish store and a butchers. Chinatown has many specialist shops and the landmark '''Wing Yip''' superstore on Oldham Road in the Northern Quarter is excellent for everything oriental.
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===Lavatories===
===Lavatories===
−
It's always worth knowing where the main public toilets are about town!
Clean conveniences can be found at Piccadilly station
(
charging
30 pence
as of September 2013
)
. Less reliable but free ones are to be found at Victoria. There are a few pods around the centre
(
one is on the corner of John Dalton Street and Deansgate
)
. There are pay toilets in the basement and on the top floor of The Triangle Centre, Exchange Square.
You
can
also find FREE
toilets in The Arndale Centre and at the following locationsː
+
Clean conveniences can be found at Piccadilly station
,
charging
30p
as of September 2013. Less reliable but free ones are to be found at Victoria. There are a few pods around the centre
:
one is on the corner of John Dalton Street and Deansgate. There are pay toilets in the basement and on the top floor of The Triangle Centre, Exchange Square.
There
are
free
toilets in The Arndale Centre
,
and at the following locationsː
*Kendals House of Fraser, Deansgate, (basement, 3rd, and 6th floors).
*Kendals House of Fraser, Deansgate, (basement, 3rd, and 6th floors).
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:The city's zoo is one of the best in the country, and can be found on the edge of the city, near the main Park & Ride car park, which is easily reached from Manchester or Liverpool and well signposted. The "Blue Planet Aquarium" and "Cheshire Oaks Outlet Centre", near to each other, are but a short drive from the zoo also.
:The city's zoo is one of the best in the country, and can be found on the edge of the city, near the main Park & Ride car park, which is easily reached from Manchester or Liverpool and well signposted. The "Blue Planet Aquarium" and "Cheshire Oaks Outlet Centre", near to each other, are but a short drive from the zoo also.
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:In Chester listen out for all the accents, including a lot of Welsh voices, mixed with those of nearby Liverpool, Manchester and beyond
!
+
:In Chester listen out for all the accents, including a lot of Welsh voices, mixed with those of nearby Liverpool, Manchester and beyond
.
*'''[[Sheffield]]''', in '''[[South Yorkshire]]''', is less well known to Manchester people, due to poor road links, but it is less than 40 miles (65 km) away and the train service from Piccadilly is good and the journey a scenic one. This fine, post-industrial city is said to be built on seven hills and was once home to a world-famous steel industry. Nowadays, Sheffield is a growing cultural centre, boasting the UK's second largest theatre complex and a thriving music scene that has produced such acts as Arctic Monkeys, Def Leppard and Pulp.
*'''[[Sheffield]]''', in '''[[South Yorkshire]]''', is less well known to Manchester people, due to poor road links, but it is less than 40 miles (65 km) away and the train service from Piccadilly is good and the journey a scenic one. This fine, post-industrial city is said to be built on seven hills and was once home to a world-famous steel industry. Nowadays, Sheffield is a growing cultural centre, boasting the UK's second largest theatre complex and a thriving music scene that has produced such acts as Arctic Monkeys, Def Leppard and Pulp.