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Manchester

Town Hall, Manchester (© Davidgarry | Dreamstime.com)
Town Hall of Manchester

Introduction

Manchester (pop. 464,000, metropolitan area 2,562,000) is the third largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, after London and Birmingham. It is famous for Manchester United, the nation's most ardently supported and richest football club, as well as for being the set of Coronation Street, the longest-running British soap opera (broadcasting since 1960). The 2002 Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester, and are remembered as the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in the UK. The inhabitants of Manchester are called the Mancunians.

History

Manchester

History of Manchester

Learn about the city's evolution through the ages: the Roman fort, the Medieval town, the Industrial Revolution, Cottonpolis, the world's first passenger railway, the IRA bombing and the Millenennium redevelopment.

Attractions

In spite of its history stretching back to Roman times, Manchester is first and foremost a Victorian city. Its golden age, the last quarter of the 19th century, saw the erection of the city's grandest buildings, including the town hall. The city centre is compact enough to cover on foot.

Central Library, Manchester

Attractions (Centre-West)

Explore the area around the former Central Railway Station, the Town Hall, the Royal Exchange, Bridgewater Hall, Castlefield, the Roman ruins, and more.

Manchester Cathedral

Attractions (North)

Discover the medieval core of the city and the modern shopping area in the Millennium Quarter, and sample the bohemian atmosphere of the Northern Quarter.

Manchester Museum

Attractions (East-South)

For a change of mood, dine at Chinatown or stroll around the Gay Village, and visit the stupendous museums and art galleries around the University of Manchester.

Attractions outside the city centre

Attractions outside Manchester


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How to get there

The Greater Manchester is located some 335 km (210 mi.) north-west of London, rubbing against the north-western edge of the Peak District National Park. Liverpool is a mere 55 km (35 mi.) to the east, while the other industrial cities of Leeds-Bradford and Sheffield lie right on the other side of the Peak District.

Manchester is the main train hub for the North-West region. Trains from London Euston Station take just over 2 hours (from £54). There are frequent connections between Manchester and Liverpool (50 to 70 min, from £5.50), Chester (60 to 90min, from £12.60), Leeds (60 to 90min, from £8.50), York (90min, from £9.50) and Birmingham (90min, from £15), among others.

A cheaper but slower alternative to reach Manchester from other major British cities is by coach. National Express is the main operator, with numerous direct daily services from London (4 to 6 hours, from £12), Bristol (about 5h15min, £35.90), Birmingham (2 to 3 hours, from £4), Liverpool (about 1 hour, from £2), Leeds (from 1 to hours, from £2) and Newcastle (5 to 6 hours, from £13).

Manchester Airport has flights from most of the major European cities (Dublin, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Venice, Rome, Naples, Budapest, Praha, Athens...) as well as from North America and Singapore.

               

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