Get More in Manchester!

Manchester is a wonderful place to live and study in. It was one of the world’s first industrial cities and its rich industrial heritage has given the city its unique, strong and independent spirit. Since then, it has remained one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

With four world class universities, Manchester is the student capital of the UK. It welcomes people from all around the world and has a lot to offer. There are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants in which to relax and spend time with your new friends. If you enjoy shopping, you will love the Arndale or Trafford Centre, which is one of the largest shopping centres in the country.

There is also a strong creative scene in Manchester. Many modern bands and musicians started their career in Manchester, including the Smiths, Robbie Williams and the Bee Gees! You can listen to live music any night of the week in Manchester. There are also plenty of galleries, museums, theatres and cinemas to visit. And finally, of course, Manchester is famous for football with its two Premier League teams Manchester United and Manchester City. You can watch a match, take a tour of the stadiums or visit the National Football Museum recently opened in the city centre.

Top 5 things to do in Manchester

  • Walk around the Northern Quarter in Manchester’s creative heart. Home to many independent shops, cafes and restaurants, it is a fun and welcoming part of the city, especially if you like architecture and street art. This area looks very similar to New York and many famous Hollywood films have been filmed there, such as Spider-Man or Captain America.
  • Visit one of the many quirky pubs and bars in the city centre, such as The Temple in an old public toilet, Twenty Twenty Two, a ping-pong bar or The Washhouse, a hidden bar behind a laundrette! Enjoy live music in places like Night & Day, Band on the Wall or at the beautiful Deaf Institute.
  • Manchester is an exciting place to eat out. Enjoy afternoon tea at Richmond Tea Rooms, an Alice in Wonderland themed café in the centre of Manchester. The Curry Mile is also just a 10 minute bus ride from the city centre. It has the biggest concentration of Asian restaurants in the UK including Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi. It also has plenty of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants and cafes.
  • Experience art and culture in Manchester. There are many museums to visit during your stay: the Manchester Art Gallery or the Whitworth Art Gallery have some of the country’s best art collections, or spend a lazy Sunday in Salford Quays and visit the Imperial War Museum North or The Lowry. In The Science and Industry Museum you can learn more about Manchester’s rich industrial past. All these galleries and museums are free to visit.
  • Watch a film or play in one of Manchester’s many cinemas or theatres. As well as having many conventional cinemas, there are also a number of theatres and an Opera House in Manchester. Why not visit HOME, Manchester’s centre for thrilling theatre, dance shows and great independent films. There is even an original Soviet Statue of Friedrich Engels outside the building!

    • Places to visit from Manchester:

  • The Lake District National Park (90 minutes by train) and Peak District National Park (40 minutes by train) with their beautiful scenery
  • The dynamic city of Liverpool, home of the Beatles (35 minutes by train)
  • The Roman cities of Chester (60 minutes by train) or York (75 minutes by train)
  • The capital city, London, Is only 2 hours away by train
  • Alton Towers, a huge amusement park (approx. 90 minutes by bus)

    • You can visit some of those places with the school – please see the social activity board when you arrive at the school or visit our website to see the programme.