"Unusually colourful (its orange banquettes and Perspex back-bar give it a look of a 1980s Top of the Pops set), this Dale Street tap-house serves a mix of quality guest beers (Wild Beer, Mikeller, Burning Sky), and Beatnikz’ hop-forward brews, such as I Smash Citra and Generation IPA. The weekday cask ale deals are notable (recently pie ‘n’ a pint £5, Mon/Tues), as is Beatnikz’s ability to bag high-profile guests for its meet-the-brewer events. For instance Arbor Ales and US star Modern Times. Pint from £3.70, beatnikzrepublic.com"
"Beatnikz microbrewery is located in a railway arch in the Green Quarter, and their taproom used to be too. But they closed it last year and moved to a shiny new bar in the Northern Quarter where they’ve just introduced a beer slushie machine. Head in to enjoy their core range of beers."
"The Trafford Ecology Park is tucked away in the industrial Trafford Park behind an oil depot and is a registered Biological Important site and a true oasis of wildlife. The park is spread across an area of eleven acres and is a true delight for a nature enthusiast."
"Hidden just off Cop Lane in Penwortham, Hurst Grange Park is the largest park in Penwortham and was once owned by William Adam Hulton's family in the now demolished Hurst Grange mansion. The park is now full of mature trees and rolling hills, ponds and wildflower meadows. Hurst Grange Coach House, is the only part of the original building that remains standing and is opened occasionally for events, including the annual Penwortham Live."
"Housed in an iconic aluminium-clad building designed by Daniel Libeskind, the IWM North houses several fascinating exhibitions which tell the story of how a century of wars have affected people’s lives in Britain. The main exhibition space shows a timeline of the wars that Britain has been involved with since the First World War. The Big Picture Show uses the latest HD projection technology to tell people’s stories of war in a vivid and captivating way."
"Manchester also has an important history when it comes to war and conflict over the past hundred years. The Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) is an interactive space built solely for the purpose of telling the most vital, powerful stories of war from across the region. The entire structure was built around an impressive, genuine fighter jet!"
"A visit to the museum will help you explore how modern conflicts have affected the British society at large. The Imperial War Museum North is in Greater Manchester. It sits inside an unmissable aluminium building designed by Daniel Libeskind."
"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."
"CFCCA reopens with a duo of exhibitions investigating and unpicking themes of belonging, identity and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are just a few minutes’ walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging."
"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."
"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."
"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"