Despite having spent no time in Manchester I have always loved the city. Our second-biggest city often feels more creative than London just look at the Manchester music scene, it’s always been ahead of the game. In recent years I’ve heard the Northern Quarter has got too “cool” and it’s quickly becoming as expensive as London so I had a pessimistic approach to this city break. But oh how wrong I was, from the minute I got off at the train at Piccadilly I was obsessed. So here is a round up of where I went and what I loved about Manchester.
On day one, I had no plan – this is my favourite way to explore a new city – just walk! Exploring the Northern Quarter, in awe of the architecture, street art and boutiques, I quickly got hungry for a late lunch and had one place in mind. Gooey – I had heard so much about Gooey (mainly from Megan Ellaby) and despite normally being a sandwich hater I needed to get my hands on their legendary egg mayo sandwich. It is even better than it looks, trust me. Gooey has a small menu of sandwiches alongside their fresh baked cookies and buns – all exquisite. There is a few sites across the city so definitely pop in during your visit.
Over on Instagram, I had lots of independent shops recommended to me so I set out to explore the Northern Quarter and Ancoats. The Northern Quarter is full of cool big-name brands like Carhartt or Lucy & Yak and independents (definitely go to Fred Aldous) and as you cross Great Ancoats Street you’ll find more independents.
After exploring the independant boutiques head through Cutting Room Square (you’ll find some bars and restaurants such as Jimmy’s, Jayne Eyre’s and Rudy’s Pizza) along to New Islington Marina. I had no idea Manchester canals and parks like this, at least not this central its super quiet (in contract to the North Quarter) and full of cafes and wine bars. Make a stop at either Flawd or House of Esk for a cocktail or organic wine by the water.
Dinner on night one, we had no plan while wandering around the Northern Quarter we checked out Mackie Mayor’s and couldn’t find a table but it may have worked in our favour as we had a wonderful meal at Birra Brothers. By day it’s The Koffee Pot an American-style breakfast diner and once 4pm hits the Birra Brothers take over the space. Serving up a range of birra tacos, soft shell tacos, nachos and banging sides – everything was amazing and on the positively spicy side . Highly recommend the fungi birra.
Saturday morning it was time to head out to Media City for the main event, we originally booked this trip to go to The Coronation Street Experience. Media City is huge with shopping centres and loads of offices but it was mainly chain shops and restaurants. I was determined to find an indie for our brunch before heading onto the Cobbles. My research lead me to Grindsmiths, and what a treat (rumour has it a lot of the Corrie cast, including Lucy Fallon and Charlotte Jordan frequent it). Grindsmith’s has amazing coffee and a full brunch menu with fry ups, eggs and this insane french toast. If you are ever in Media City and want a step up from the Costa’s of the world head here.
I have watched Corrie for as long as I can remember and have always been jealous of any friend who made it onto the set tour at the previous site so the excitement was real. The Experience guided tours, are only available on the weekends as you do get to explore the real set, they are filming on in the week. In your allotted time slot you meet your tour guide and watch a short film (essentially a montage of the best clips from 64 years of the show) before you get taken around the set, you get plenty of time at each ‘stop’ to hear facts, take photos and explore. The group on my tour was a mix of hardcore fans, classic Corrie fans and even some who didn’t seem to have ever seen the show and while they were asking ‘which character lives in this house?’ they still had a great time. You start off at newer sets that not everyone recognised and build up to the most exciting set, The Rovers and Coronation Street itself which felt surreal. After the set tour there is a short exhibition room with memorabilia and replica sets of the cafe and inside the Rovers so explore. It was so much fun to run around the set and its a super fun afternoon even if you aren’t a religious viewer of the show.
The tour took just over two hours which meant we had time left in the afternoon to keep exploring Manchester. We headed back into the city centre to explore some more. Deansgate area which had some grand architecture with slightly fancier chain shops into the Arndale centre.
In contrast to the grand restaurants in Deansgate, for our final meal in Manchester, my brother dragged us back to the Northern Quarter and down an alley to This & That. While I was apprehensive on approach what a place. Super quick, amazing value banging curries. You queue up choose 3 of the curries of the day on your plate with rice and hope you can find a seat. The best part, the price, 3 veg curries and rice was £6,90, just incredible. There is no where left in this country (that I know off) where you could get 4 meals, sides and soft drinks for 4 people under £30 – I cannot recommend this place enough.
Manchester you exceeded all my expectations and I need to plan another visit immediately. Where should I go next time?