Ten breathtakingly beautiful places in Manchester.
Between our gorgeous listed buildings and endlessly-instagrammable street art, we’ve no shortage of photo-friendly spots here in Manchester. We’re also blessed with some truly breath-taking places that are so beautiful, you wouldn’t actually believe they’re in Greater Manchester.
[Feature image: _ashutterbug_]
1. John Rylands Library, Deansgate
The John Rylands Library, with its glorious gothic architecture, is arguably one of Manchester’s most beautiful buildings. Named after John Rylands, who was one of Manchester’s most successful industrialists, the library was commissioned in 1890 by his wife Enriqueta Rylands following his death in 1888.
It boasts a world-class collection that includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment. Other treasures of the vast, varied collection include magnificent illuminated medieval manuscripts and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The library is free to visit. For more information click here. 150 Deansgate, M3 3EH.
2. Tatton Park, Knutsford
Tatton Park is one of the UK’s most complete historic estates. It is home to a Tudor Old Hall, Neo-Classical Mansion, 50 acres of parkland and gardens, a historic working farm and an adventure playground. It also plays host to an epic collection of events throughout the year, including the world-famous RHS Flower Show, food festivals and even film screenings. Mereheath Dr, Knutsford WA16 6SG.
3. The Plaza, Stockport
The historic cinema and theatre was built in 1932, nearly 90 years later the serve her community hosting big stage presentations including sensational family pantomimes, musicals, stage plays, comedians, concerts and family shows. Alongside classic films, which are presented in their correct ratio and format ensuring the golden classics can be seen as they were back in the day.
4. Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield
Jodrell Bank, owned by the University of Manchester, is famous as the home of the Lovell Telescope, the world’s third-largest steerable radio telescope. Completed in 1957, the dish was the largest of its kind anywhere in the world until 1973 and was the catalyst for the construction of many other large scale satellite dishes.
The observatory becomes the 32nd UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK and joins the prestigious list alongside international sites such as Machu Picchu, the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. The University of Manchester, Macclesfield SK11 9D.
5. Dishoom, Bridge Street
Manchester Hall, a 1920s Grade II listed building, was once the secret meeting place of the ancient brotherhood of the Freemasons. Now, the space is home to Dishoom, an Irani-Indian restaurant that pays loving homage to the old Irani cafés of Bombay.
Opened early last century by Zoroastrian immigrants from Iran, there were almost 400 Irani cafés at their peak in the 1960s. Today, fewer than 30 remain. These cafés broke down barriers by bringing people together over food and drink. They were the first places in Bombay where people of any culture, class or religion could take cool refuge from the street with a cup of chai, a simple snack or a hearty meal. People from all walks of life shared tables, rubbed shoulders and broke bread together. For more information click here. 32 Bridge St, M3 3BT
6. Ancoats, central
Ancoats is an exciting neighbourhood in central Manchester known for its eclectic food and drink scene and rich industrial heritage. ‘Peeps’—brass peepholes on various buildings—give a glimpse of the machinery and spaces of the former gritty textile district. While the streets are lined with Scandinavian eateries, Japanese teahouses and Mexican restaurants (to name a few), alongside craft breweries and speakeasy-style bars
7. Paramount Books, Shudehill
Nothing soothes the mind like the quiet calm of a book shop. And Paramount Books in Manchester’s Shudehill has been soothing souls since 1965. This family-run store is packed full of secondhand and rare books, as well as an eclectic collection of comics and magazines. 25-27 Shudehill, M4 2AF.
8. Mowgli, Oxford Road
Mowgli is a restaurant offering ‘fuss-free’ Indian cooking aimed at banishing Indian food stereotypes. The 3,294 sq foot, 100-cover restaurant is based in Oxford Road’s University Green site and is open seven days a week.
The decadent interior has been designed by Ms Katona herself, who described the theme as ‘Apple shop meets Indian night market.’ And the restaurant is full of exquisite features, including a floating Indian Temple inspired ‘door on the wall’ and a living tree, as well as hand-carved pillars and signature lighting. For more information click here. Unit 1, University Green, Oxford Road, M13 9GP.
9. Heaton Park
Heaton Park boasts more than 600 acres of parkland and is home to the Grade I, 18th-century country house, Heaton Hall. It also features a children’s play area, an animal centre, a boating lake and land train as well as three full-sized football pitches. Middleton Rd, Manchester M25 2SW.
10. Empire Exchange, Newton Street
It’s quite hard to define Empire Exchange, the old Aladdin’s Cave metaphor certainly comes to mind, but it’s essentially a huge basement full of stuff. books, comics, magazines and stacks of vinyl, CDs and, to be honest, god knows what else. It’s an absolute heaven-on-earth for those who enjoy a good treasure hunt and those on the lookout for something special. 1 Newton St, Manchester M1 1HW.