Football, Oasis, the world wide web — just some of the things Manchester is famous for.
But the UK’s third most populous city has several hidden gems that tourists often miss.
A long weekend is the perfect amount of time to soak up the city’s unique character while exploring some of its lesser-known neighbourhoods and pockets of culture.
Here, our Mancunian-born news reporter Ryan Prosser shares his insider’s guide to the best off-the-beaten-track beauty spots and watering holes.
Take in the calm at Fletcher Moss Park
This one’s an (almost) complete secret kept between those who live in the city’s leafy southern suburbs, but it’s only a 20-minute hop from the centre on the Metrolink tram network.
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Part gardens, part wildlife habitat, Fletcher Moss was given to the city by its philanthropic namesake in 1915.
The local football club, Fletcher Moss Rangers, trained the likes of Marcus Rashford and Wes Brown before they became stars.
Stroll around the park’s unmissable botanical rock gardens, which are home to unique species including giant rhubarb and Chinese dogwood.
Head into the main wildlife reserve through a long wooden bridge that weaves through woodlands before coming out into sweeping meadows on the banks of the River Mersey (particularly special early in the morning).
After taking in the riverside air, head through the Stenner Woods and along the poplar-lined avenue towards the Parsonage gardens, a secluded enclave surrounding a Grade II listed home turned community centre and events space.
Once you’ve taken in the nature, head on to Ye Olde Cock Inn (just next to the park) for a well-deserved drink.
Metro’s Local Guides
Walk the Castlefield Viaduct
A marvel of Victorian engineering by the same firm that brought us the Blackpool Tower, the Castlefield viaduct is an unmistakable landmark in the city’s oldest quarter and, for soap enthusiasts, a regular backdrop on Coronation Street.
Trains last ran on the Grade II listed railway bridge in 1954 and the structure was left idle until just four years ago, when part of it was transformed into a sky park.
At 17m high, this hidden oasis boasts spectacular views, more than 3,000 plants and the chance to admire a 19th-century masterpiece.
Step into the past at John Rylands library
Philanthropist and textile magnate John Rylands was one of Manchester’s first multimillionaires.
Commissioned by his wife Enriqueta in 1900, his namesake library contains a staggering 200,000 volumes, as well as grand Gothic reading rooms and spiral staircases.
This year, it celebrates its 125th anniversary with not one but two new galleries.
A Collections Gallery showcases 40 historic pieces, from Shakespeare’s first folio to a manuscript of the Qu’ran.
Another exhibition focuses on the impact of LGBTQ+ artists and performers on mainstream arts and culture.
Take in Manchester’s Chinese scene
Home to Britain’s largest Chinese community outside London, Manchester has its fair share of seriously good east Asian eats.
Manchester’s Chinese scene was world-famous back in the day, and the crowning glory was the iconic Yang Sing restaurant, which had space for 600 guests over six floors.
The venue was sadly one of many casualties of the pandemic; but you can still get an authentic hot pot or exquisite dim sum in various spots across the city.
My personal choice for delicious Cantonese cuisine is the ever-busy Tai Wu.
Originally on Oxford Road and a stone’s throw from St Peter’s Square, it’s now tucked above WH Lung supermarket on Upper Brook Street.
Don’t be deterred by the location.
Stroll through the Northern Quarter
Once the beating heart of the industrial revolution, now a hub for trendy cafes and record shops alike, nowhere quite signifies Manchester’s past and present like its Northern Quarter.
Colloquially known as N4 after its postcode, the northeastern district stands out for its alternative culture punctuated with urban art (including an arguable Banksy).
For an insight into the city’s textile past, head to the Design and Craft Centre.
The former Victorian poultry and fish market is worth a visit for the architecture alone.
But inside is a trove of jewellery, glass, ceramics, prints and homeware made by artisan producers, who you can watch make pieces by hand.
For those who prefer the music scene, NQ boasts a plethora of record shops, from Vinyl Exchange to Fat City Records.
Another essential stop is Afflecks, a shopping emporium housing 73 businesses, selling everything from alternative fashion to retro games.
Feeling peckish? Head to Almost Famous burgers on Peter Street for a divine beef patty sandwiched in a pillowy bun. You can’t beat it.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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