Manchester

Written: April 3rd, 2008  Print This Page  Email This Page

Manchester is one of England’s core cities and is located within the borough of Greater Manchester. The city is a highly urbanized zone, with lots of businesses and industries. In fact, Manchester is considered as the first industrialized city in the world, due largely to its huge textile and cotton spinning industries in the past. The city also boasts of a rich heritage, manifested in its numerous historic structures and buildings that had stood the passage of time.

Sights & Activities

A good deal of the city’s civic and social history can be learned at the Manchester Art Gallery along Back George Street, off Princess Street. Apart from showcasing artworks of international artists, it also displays works of painters who lived in Manchester and contributed to its cultural development. There is no entrance fee and visitors are free to explore and examine its collections, particularly the works of Pierre Adolphe Valette and Wynford Dewhurst, whose works depicted Manchester in different themes and times.

Another establishment worth visiting is the Manchester Museum, located along Oxford Road. Owned by the University of Manchester, this museum contains items from all over the world including pottery, fossils, plant materials, artworks, and even armour.

For those interested in historic architecture, there’s the Manchester Cathedral along Victoria Street. This medieval structure is described to be of perpendicular gothic style and is a grade I listed building. Visitors to this structure will note several interesting and priceless art objects contained in the cathedral, such the wood carvings done by the Ripon Carvers.

Another medieval structure is located nearby, at the basement of the Manchester Cathedral’s visitors centre. The Hanging Bridge was built over the Hanging Ditch, the ditch that used to connect River Irwell and River Irk. The current structure was constructed in 1421 though records show that an older bridge once stood on the site which was used as the main route toward the cathedral.

Afflecks, situated at the corner of Oldham and Dale Streets, is an indoor market that sells just about anything unique and interesting to be had. Locals and visitors frequent the area for clothing, music records, and unusual decorations that cater to those with eclectic taste.

Another place where visitors can stroll along and be entertained is the Market Street, with numerous shops lining it. It is here where street traders peddle their wares and buskers and street musicians showcase their talents to anyone who stops and listens.

For more organized entertainment, visitors can head out to Urbis, an exhibition centre housed in a unique building within the Cathedral Gardens. It is situated along Corporation Street and is a popular venue for art exhibition, music performances, fashion shows, and other entertainment events. Nearby is The Triangle, a grade II listed building that is now used as a shopping mall.

A prominent public space in Manchester is the Albert Square, located along Cross Street. This square contains several monuments dedicated to known personalities of the city, as well as a memorial to its namesake, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and a fountain that was built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Weather

Manchester weather has never been described as predictable, as conditions are known to change several times in a single day. However, summer, which occur from June to August, is general warm and sunny while winter, from December to January, is cold and frosty with an average temperature of 4°C. Snow may make an occasional appearance. The best months to visit Manchester are March to April, as well as in early parts of summer, when the weather is most agreeable for strolling and exploring its interesting sights. However, just like the rest of the country, rainfall in known to occur in any given day, so bringing an umbrella when venturing out is always a prudent thing to do.