When we mill around Manchester city centre, it’s often easy to forget the surrounding areas, but sometimes they can provide something the city doesn’t. This is most definitely true of Levenshulme, a south east Manchester suburb on the way to Stockport, which offers many top quality local gems at a fraction of the price of the city centre just down the road.
Many also cite Levenshulme for being cheaper to live in, and is especially popular amongst families wanting to stay in the vicinity of Manchester. For a while it was known for being neglected and run-down during the 20th century, but now thanks to regeneration and a lot of funding, it’s on the up and up. Here are our picks for getting the most out of Levenshulme, because we think it’s pretty great.
1. Experience the café culture in Levenshulme
Like many Manchester suburbs, Levenshulme is most definitely not short of coffee shops, bakeries, and any other daytime establishment to make your cosmopolitan, girlboss dreams come true. Levy, though, seems to have a pretty high density of this breed of watering hole, with lovely spots such as Nordie being housed on the main street running through Levenshulme, Stockport Road.
Make sure to pop into one of the many artisan cafes if you get the chance, for a catch up with mates, a place to work from home with a bit more going on, or simply to see how life would be if you lived in this suburb of Manchester, just 20 minutes away from the city centre.
2. Get the party started at a Levenshulme bar
Don’t get it twisted, Levenshulme is perfect for an alcoholic beverage or two, and moving with the times, the quality of bars is better than ever. If you’re mad for craft beer, look no further than Station Hop, a specialist craft beer taphouse and bottle shop. The modern yet cosy store is perfect come rain or shine, giving a community feel with the high street just outside, so you can take in the hustle and bustle, as well as a huge selection of guest and house brews to choose from.
For those who are more wine-inclined, Isca is a wine bar full to the rafters with natural wines, all made by small producers to ensure it’s top quality, and you can find a bottle in pretty much any colour you can imagine! OK, Isca is also famed for its food, from picky bits with wine such as olives, nuts and sourdough, to gorgeous plates including salads, cheese plates and focaccia, but that’s just what tops the place off – and would could keep you there for hours and hours.
3. Get a sugar rush at Levy’s very own Long Boi’s Bakehouse
The legendary Long Boi’s Bakehouse is a proper gem in Levenshulme, serving unreal sweet treats from gorgeous pastries to decadent occasion cakes. Owned and run by women, Long Boi’s is a wonderful local business to support, and everything is done with such attention to detail and an absolute love of all things sweet. Of course, you’ll want a drink to wash the sweetness down with, and lucky for you, hot and cold drinks are readily available.
📍 40 Forest Range, Manchester, M19 2HP.
4. Eat your heart out at some of Manchester’s best restaurants
After all those sweet treats, lounging around coffee shops and chasing with some alcohol, you’ll be in need of a hearty meal, and that’s something Levenshulme provides in bucketloads. The likes of Cibus, Paratha Hut, Nordie and Leve Bakery provide every kind of dining, from good old shawarma in a humble-looking corner plot, to artisan pizza and beer, and Indian cuisine you’ll not forget in a hurry. Bar and restaurant Nordie offers a lovely small town feel with really tasty bits on offer, and even a space outside to sit on the plot next to the shop. You’re completely covered on just the high street – some of the best quality food in Manchester can be found in Levenshulme, and you won’t regret the trip even if it’s just to give one of those a taste.
5. Cycle on over to Station South
Encouraging the embrace of activity and nature, the quirky Station South is more than just a cafe and bar – it’s a lifestyle. Housed inside the old Levenshulme South train station, hence the name, the spot will most definitely provide you with a top notch cappuccino, but it will also put you amongst a community of cyclists, whilst you get your bike repaired, and offer a stroll around their urban garden. Station South self describes as: “A place to meet, eat, drink and dance. A space to share, grow, fix and ride. A community hangout geared up for good food, good brews and good times.” Why would you not want to give that a go?
📍 975-977 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 3NP.
6. Levenshulme Antiques Village
Failsworth isn’t the only Manchester suburb that can do antiques, and the Levenshulme Antiques Village is truly one-of-a-kind. Based in the gorgeous Old Town Hall building, Levenshulme Antiques Village is a regional hypermarket where many dealers buy and sell antiques, pre-war and vintage furniture, fireplaces and collectables, with a popular café serving traditional English breakfasts and daily home cooked specials.
What’s more, other services include fireplace sales and restoration, picture framing stained glass sales and repair, so if any of your own antiques are wearing thin, you know where to go! It’s yet another community hub in Levenshulme, and you really feel that sense of togetherness somewhere like this. The Antiques Village is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am – 4pm.
📍 The Old Town Hall, 965 Stockport Rd, Manchester, M19 3NP.
7. Catch the annual Levenshulme Festival
Levenshulme Festival comes around every autumn, usually in October, showcasing the fantastic food, drink and entertainment from the local area and beyond. The festival is always heaps of family fun, with countless local businesses opening their doors to welcome festival-goers to sample all the area has to offer. From pubs and bars, to community centres and local parks, groups of all kinds will be able to find something of interest, and it’ll most likely make you fall in love with Levenshulme. Keep an eye on the Levenshulme Festival social media for updates.
8. Drop into the Lev Inspire Centre
The newest community space in Levenshulme, Lev Inspire Centre welcomes everyone and anyone through its doors, offering a wide variety of activities for kids and adults, as well as somewhere to connect with the community. Whether you’re mad about yoga, need to learn some serious cooking skills, or just fancy getting out of the house, Lev Inspire is there for everyone.
The hub also aims to help those less fortunate in the community, hosting health research festivals, Citizens Advice sessions and acting as an integration point for those new to the community. Lev Inspire also aims to attract people from outside the area too with its top quality catering, cafe and rooms to hire – it’s a one-stop-shop for so many.
📍 747 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 3AR.