Trifter

Manchester is a fantastic city with plenty of interesting things to see and do. If you want to visit England, make your travel money go further and reduce your flight time from the states, then a city break to Manchester has to be top of your list.

The city centre is within easy reach of Manchester International Airport, taking around 25 minutes on a direct train or alternatively you can take a black cab (yes, we have them here too!) costing around £20.

There are a number of very nice hotels, ranging from luxury to budget. You could stay in the luxurious SAS Radisson Edwardian which is centrally located but this will cost a lot more than a regular Travelodge. There are budget hotels in the city centre, like the Premier Inn and Travelodge, and it is possible to stay in these places for around £50 per room. Breakfast is not included at this type of hotel but there are many places that you can grab a bite to eat so again, if you are on a budget then these hotels are an ideal choice.

It is totally possible to see the whole of the city on foot with no need for the expense of cabs. The city centre itself is quite compact and easy to navigate on foot. In addition, the public transport is easy to navigate and the main bus station at Piccadilly Gardens has an information office where you can ask about the costs and routes of any journey you wish to take. A daily bus pass is relatively inexpensive and you can hop on and off the bus on your own mystery tour!

No visit to England would be complete without a visit to a traditional English pub or “boozer”. In Manchester, there are plenty of traditional pubs where you can sit, enjoy a pint of beer and watch the world go by! You can usually get some lovely home cooked food at most pubs, so kill two birds with one stone and have your dinner there as well! The prices are much lower than in cities like London for both food and drink.

If you like shopping, Manchester is a wonderful place for some retail therapy. There is a Selfridges and Harvey Nicholls, both of which are fairly new, as well as some of the older department stores like Debenhams and John Lewis. There is also the largest Marks and Spencer in Europe if you fancy popping in and seeing what the British fixation with this store is. Shopping on a budget is a pleasure too. You can visit stores like Primark and fill your trolley for around £30. If it’s vintage and kooky that you are after, then Manchester will be your heaven. Head over to the famous Affleck’s Palace for some very unusual items and many clothes you thought had gone forever.

There are plenty of museums and galleries, all of which are free to enter and you can easily spend a day or two of your holiday, exploring everything from art to war exhibitions. Be sure to visit the Urbis Museum, built for the millennium and to celebrate urban life. There is a lovely restaurant at the top with great views if you fancy a special evening out.

Eating out is inexpensive if you source the right restaurants. Cheap, greasy spoon cafes are plentiful with fish and chips costing much less than £5. But look out for other great places that are relatively cheap and a lot healthier. You can often grab a 2 course meal in a city restaurant for under £10 if you eat before 7 pm. This is known as the early bird offer and many places do it. Take a look at the restaurants off the side streets of Deansgate and ask them if they are doing an early bird offer.

Eating when you are out and about can be very inexpensive if you look out for sandwich bars that are privately owned. Don’t waste your money on Subway or MacDonald’s, try a handmade sandwich with totally fresh produce from the market. For really nice food, try the Arndale Market Food Hall. The Arndale Centre itself isn’t much to write home about but the food hall is really nice and there are foods available here to suit every palette.

While you are walking around, be sure to look up at the buildings to see the ornate detail and character of British architecture. Most of the buildings are hundreds of years old and one that you shouldn’t miss is John Ryland’s Library on Deansgate. It is absolutely awesome inside so make sure you take a look.

The town Hall is located in Albert Square. It is a very impressive building that will take your breath away and when you go inside, you will be further impressed. It is a public building, so you can enter and take a look around but you will have to sign in at the security desk before you start exploring. The council chambers are often in use but you may be lucky enough to take a peek inside. It isn’t the houses of parliament but it will give you a real insight into the Englishness of this type of place.

If you really want to visit London, it will take you less than 3 hours on the train but I suggest you stay in Manchester for an altogether British experience.