The Place
Whatever pace of life you want to live at, the best of Manchester is waiting to be enjoyed
Boasting a truly eclectic blend of food, drink, culture, music and sport – including two of the world’s most famous football teams – Manchester can rival anything that London has to offer. It’s a true 24-hour city with everything you could ask for. This is what makes it such an attractive destination to live and study in.
Restaurants
A veritable world tour of culinary delights awaits your palette. In terms of fine dining, the Michelin starred Mana leads the way. Adam Reid at The French, Hawksmoor Manchester, Tattu and 20 Stories are hot on its heels though.
Good food isn’t about the size of the bill though, as venues such as Happy Seasons, Rudy’s Neopolitan Pizza, Almost Famous and Federal Cafe and Bar ably demonstrate. Whatever you fancy and whatever your budget, you’ll find yourself perfectly catered to.
With over 650 venues, Manchester’s food scene is as eclectic as you’d expect
Shopping & Retail
Manchester has one of the most comprehensive retail and leisure offerings in the UK and has been ranked as the top UK retail and leisure destination for the third year running. Nearby retail highlights include high end designer department stores Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and the Manchester Arndale Centre. The Northern Quarter arguably leads the way for the city’s independent fashion scene due to it’s host of trendy independent stores, including Afflecks, Northern Flower and Pop Boutique.
To the west of Manchester, The Trafford Centre (30-35 mins by tram) comprises 500 acres and over 300 of the most premium retail and leisure brands.
With its roots in the cotton industry, Manchester has always been a city of fashion
Bars
From sleek and sophisticated cocktail bars to bustling, beat-filled venues, there’s something for all tastes and budgets.
Cloud 23 combines the finest mixology with stunning views across the city. At the other end of the spectrum, there are an array of speakeasy style bars such as The Pen and Pencil, Arcane, and Science & Industry.
There are plenty of traditional pubs dotted about the city too. For all Manchester’s modernity, it has definitely not forgotten its past.
With over 650 venues, Manchester’s food scene is as eclectic as you’d expect
A place
TO UNWIND
Culture & Entertainment
Music is at the heart of Manchester’s history and continues to be an integral part of the City’s culture. The birthplace of Oasis, New Order, The Smiths, Joy Division and the Hacienda, music is part of the fabric of Manchester.
An array of venues offering everything from chart-topping artists to classical symphonies and the next big things are dotted throughout the city. Two of the largest indoor concert and events arenas are located in Manchester, the AO Arena (5th largest in Europe) is right on your doorstep and the Co-Op Live the largest in the UK and second largest in Europe.
There are plenty of museums, galleries and theatres to explore too. Manchester is a global sports powerhouse, the true passion of which is of course football; Manchester United, Europe’s second most valuable ($6bn) sports team and Manchester City, the dominant English club of the last 10 years – both Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium are readily accessible from One Victoria.
Additionally, Manchester is home to a host of other sporting institutions including: Lancashire Country Cricket Club, Sale Sharks, The Chill Factore (UK’s largest indoor ski slope), The National Cycling Centre, The National Squash Centre and the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Manchester’s cultural influence is felt around the world
Well-being
There are times when the pace of city life can become a bit draining and it’s good to unwind. There are countless gyms, yoga studios and even a rock climbing centre in the local area. Or if you prefer exercising in the great outdoors, Manchester’s waterways are the perfect running track.
Cathedral Gardens or Angel Meadow Park are great spots to unwind with friends or a book. While the much anticipated City River Park, will add another 35,000 sqm of new and improved park and woodland to the city by 2024, as part of redevelopment plans for Red Bank.
For all Manchester’s excitement, sometimes you need to take things slower
Manchester: a city for embracing life
Alive with culture, energy and opportunity, discover what makes Manchester the perfect place to embrace life and build a future