| Rightly famous for its fantastic sport, music | | | | late, great Haçienda - unmissable for all |
| and nightclubbing, it's a vibrant, historic | | | | the 24-hour party people. |
| yet forward-thinking city - but for many of | | | | |
| us, the image conjured up when we think of | | | | After all that culture, you'll then be ready |
| Manchester is still one of soot-covered | | | | to unwind and thankfully there's brilliant |
| cotton mills, viewed through sheets of rain. | | | | nightlife wherever you turn. There's the |
| | | | stylish, extravagant Gay Village around Canal |
| However, in a recent BBC survey, 48% of | | | | Street; Manchester has been called the Gay |
| respondents chose Manchester as the UK's | | | | Capital of the UK and there's plenty here to |
| Second City (ahead of Birmingham, Glasgow, | | | | back up that claim - bars, restaurants, |
| Edinburgh and Liverpool, the European Capital | | | | shops, clubs and naturally, the gay football |
| of Culture) and it's an ideal destination for | | | | team. Alternatively head over to Deansgate |
| an energetic, unique weekend or short break | | | | for comedy, upmarket drinking and haute |
| on the cutting edge of culture and cool. | | | | cuisine or down Oxford Road into the |
| | | | happening student quarter with its countless |
| One of the first things to strike you on | | | | pubs and clubs. There really is every |
| arrival in Manchester is the amazing mix of | | | | conceivable venue for that cosy pint here, |
| stately, Victorian red-brick and | | | | including the Temple of Convenience, a tiny, |
| breathtakingly futuristic modern | | | | underground bar housed in a decommissioned |
| architecture. The award-winning Imperial War | | | | public toilet! |
| Museum North, designed by Deconstructivist | | | | |
| superstar Daniel Libeskind, is a great place | | | | With the city located right in the middle of |
| to start - and from the observation platform | | | | the country, there's just no excuse to miss |
| atop the Air Shard tower you can view the | | | | out on Manchester. There's a huge |
| canal, Salford Quays and The Lowry gallery, | | | | international airport, while its also easily |
| theatre and opera house complex. | | | | accessible by train or road if you'd rather |
| | | | cut down on the carbon emissions. Several |
| Take in the historical sights of the | | | | fine bars, restaurants and hotels are |
| Victorian Gothic Town Hall and neo-Classical, | | | | situated around Piccadilly station in the |
| circular Central Library at Albert Square. | | | | centre of town. Try the Malmaison Manchester, |
| From there, the sheer, sparkling Beetham | | | | a gorgeous building which was once a cotton |
| Tower is immediately attention-grabbing as | | | | warehouse, then a dolls' hospital, but is now |
| it's the UK's tallest building outside | | | | a sumptuously slinky, stylish place to chill |
| London. Also don't miss nearby Exchange | | | | out in the funky red bar, be pampered in the |
| Square with its giant ferris wheel and the | | | | basement spa and finally crash out in one of |
| stunning, triangular glass exhibition centre | | | | the indulgent rooms or dramatic suites. |
| Urbis, which is home to fascinating art and | | | | |
| cultural exhibitions throughout the year. | | | | There's so much to do and see that it'd be |
| Among others, there's currently a free show | | | | mad not to stay a night or two in the city |
| on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the | | | | that coined the term 'Madchester', after all. |