Last month I took a sleeper train for the first time.
20.07.2023 - 13:21 / wanderlust.co.uk / Charlotte Brontë / Grayson Perry
It would be impossible to mention Manchester and not talk about football. The city’s two teams have a long history of rivalry and boast fans all over the world. The home of Manchester United, Old Trafford, and the home of Manchester City, Etihad Stadium, offer tours and should be on any fan’s to-do list. For neophytes and anyone with an interest in the game, the National Football Museum is a must visit attraction in the centre of the city, next to Manchester Cathedral. The museum is not just about the Mancunian teams – it exhibits artefacts, photographs and stories about the culture surrounding the game.
Manchester was named the UK Capital of Culture in 2015 and it’s been proving ever since that it deserves the title. The Science and Industry Museum highlights Manchester’s inventions, from the first atom split to the first stored-programme computer. The textile industry, so important to the city in the past, is also spotlighted. Manchester Art Gallery is the home of fine art and decorative objects. It hosts exhibitions such as the much talked about Grayson’s Art Club – works by the artist Grayson Perry, which featured on a TV series of the same name. For archaeology, natural history and anthropology, head to Manchester Museum. Meanwhile, Manchester Jewish Museum doubled in size in 2021. The site connects Jewish stories to the broader world.
Ever wondered where the literary geniuses of the 19th century hung out in Manchester? Then head to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, where the author wrote and entertained guests such as Charles Dickens and Charlotte Brontë. The Pankhurst Centre, nearby, is housed in the home of the political activist Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, and tells the story of the Suffragette movement.
For something completely different, you can take pictures outside the house featured on the cover of Oasis’s 1994 album, Definitely Maybe, or check out the blue plaque outside the flat where the record label that nurtured Joy Division and New Order – Factory Records – was born. Both houses are in Didsbury, south of the city centre, and provide a good excuse to check out the suburb’s shops, cafés and Fletcher Moss Park.
You can sit at the desk of Marx and Engels in Chetham’s Library next to Manchester Victoria Station, which is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. A visit to the city would not be complete without a stop at John Rylands Library. The building, one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe, is reminiscent of a cathedral or castle. The Portico Library completes Manchester’s trio of historical libraries, as it was opened in 1806. Central Library meanwhile is housed in a 1930s circular building. It has been recently refurbished and is a hub
Last month I took a sleeper train for the first time.
Northern Ireland's second city and Ireland's northern-most county sit rather snug together in the corner of the island of Ireland. But many are yet to discover the two make a fantastic combination for a twin break. Blending thought-provoking history, striking landmarks and an incredible natural world, Derry~Londonderry and County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula offer everything you could wish for in a short, action-packed getaway.
After taking annual vacations to Europe for over a decade, I followed my dream and moved abroad right after my 32nd birthday. I initially did a six-month stay in Bordeaux, France, before heading to Barcelona, Spain, in early 2020.
Munich is a fantastic place to visit with kids. The ample greenery and great public transport system make the city feel relaxed and accessible, despite its size.
There are many things to do in Colombo because of its diversity, nice beaches, and its history. In the past, it was ruled by the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and then the British who all left their mark on the city, which now combines with the vibrant independence of the Sri Lankan people. Beaches Mount Lav
There are few tourism destinations out there that have avoided the scourge of high-rise condos, Quarter Pounders, and traffic lights. And if that destination happens to be our planet at its most beautiful? Forget about it.
The IRA’s 1996 bomb in Manchester city centre was one of the city's darkest days. Extensive damage was done, but ultimately it served only to unleash a flurry of investment that carries on to this day. This means, of course, that there are myriad ways to spend your pennies here these days. Yet deep down, Manchester remains a city of the people, and it looks kindly on the stony-broke. On a practical note, the city centre is eminently walkable. Bring a hooded coat though (an Oasis-style parka, perhaps?) – it’s not known as the Rainy City for nothing. Here are ten ways to enjoy Manchester for free.
Wild landscapes and deserted beaches. Fine food and outdoor adventure. Deer, dolphins and mythical monsters. As Rough Guides contributor Keith Drew discovered, the Scottish Highlands have all the ingredients for a family holiday to remember. Read on to discover his top things to do in the Highlands. You might also want to discover the most beautiful places in Scotland, as voted by Rough Guides readers.
Eastern Europe has become a popular, mysterious even, destination for the intrepid backpacker. While it’s undoubtedly impressive in its diversity, there are a number of universal lessons that every traveller will learn at some point during their time here.
«Hygge» emerged as the most divisive cultural phenomenon to hit the world since that blue and black dress. Or was it white and gold? In the second episode of our podcast (iTunes; Soundcloud), The Rough Guide to Everywhere, we get to the bottom of what it's actually about.
Marc Perry is a British expat living in Kosovo who has been captivated by its landscapes, where flat plains meet soaring mountains, the kind hospitality of the people, and a fascinating history of the land.
Yorkshire, it has been said, is “a country in a county”. The very name brings countless images to mind – wild moors, medieval cities, vast steelworks and more. This diversity is part of the county’s appeal. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Yorkshire.