Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Northern Quarter

"Although there has been a parish church building on this site since the late Anglo Saxon or Early Norman period, the cathedral we see today looks nothing like the building that would have stood there all those years ago. The cathedral has been modified over the years after structural damage caused by the Civil War, damage caused by a German bomb during the Manchester Blitz in the second World War and further damage caused by the IRA bomb of 1996. In the thirteenth century a stone parish church was constructed in the parish that was to become Manchester, serving people in a 60 mile radius."

"Right next to the Football Museum, you can find the beautiful Manchester Cathedral. While I have as much with churches as I have with football, I did have a quick look inside and the architecture was beautiful:"

"Manchester’s magnificent Cathedral dates back to 1421 when a royal charter was granted by Henry V. Since then it has survived wars, bombings, the Reformation and more. Manchester Cathedral"

"Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. Old Trafford is situated 1 km south of Lowry Outlet Shopping. Photo: Steve Collis, CC BY 2.0."

"Prestwich Forest Park consists of four smaller parks which make up 200 acres of woodlands: Philips Park, Drinkwater Park, Waterdale, and Prestwich. These parks can be heavily wooded (particularly Drinkwater), so it’s a beautiful place to spend a day away from the noise of town. Exploring the woods can be an enlightening experience, so long as you take care while wandering amongst the broad-leaved trees."

"Take a trip to Ashton, not far from the city centre, and stroll around Preston Dock. Once Europe's largest inland dock, the historical dockland was opened in 1892 by Queen Victoria's second son Prince Albert. The dock makes an ideal day out for both adults and families, with peaceful strolls around the water and plenty scenery and history surrounding it."

"Alan Turing Statue is also a very important LGBTQ landmark in Manchester. It’s located in Sackville Gardens, just behind the Gay Village. Alan Turing was a computer scientist and mathematician best known for his work on Enigma (German encrypting machine) during WWII."

"Within Preston city centre, you'll find the Preston Cenotaph. The Cenotaph is a stunning Grade I listed structure, standing proud in recognition of the men who lost their lives in WWI. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the Cenotaph was restored in 2013 and is an important part of Preston's heritage."

"The Cenotaph stands proudly in Market Square, dedicated to solders from both World Wars. This is certainly something to remember and what better way to do so than eternalising it in your wedding photos?"

"My Cookie Dough has a seriously committed following, judging by the crowds at its Manchester Arndale stall (it recently opened another at the Trafford Centre too). Big dollops of dough are baked until warm and crispy, but still soft enough to dip into with a spoon, then loaded with various sauces and toppings. Indulgent flavours include red velvet and Nutella, white chocolate and raspberry, Oreo, fudge and honeycomb, Biscoff, and coconut chocolate."

"Taking the humble traybake to new heights, My Cookie Dough is among the best dessert shops in Manchester. Their Slutty Brownie stacks are a mouthwatering mess of chocolate brownie, crushed Oreos and their house cookie mix, served up as chunky slabs and coated in a hefty drizzle of Nutella. With locations at both the Trafford Centre and the Arndale, you won't have to travel far to get your hands on these bad boys."

"🍰 Seriously gooey hot cookie dough, with tons of topping options to choose from including Nutella, Biscoff, Red Velvet, Kinder and even Strawberry Cheesecake."

"Lupo Caffè Italiano, located at the Boat Shed, Exchange Quay, serves award-winning Italian coffee. Italian-flavours continue to run through its daily-changing menu which has previous included crostatina with nutella, stuffed peppers and pistachio, and white chocolate muffins. The cafe also makes Italian birthday cakes with custom designs."

"With a combination of delicious food, great wines and a real ambience, Café Rouge has embodied the style and je ne sais quoi of French dining since it opened way back in 1989. Now with over 90 sites across the country it's just the place to mull over…"

"63 Degrees is a small, family run restaurant, bringing a little taste of Paris to the Northern Quarter. This is proper, grown-up dining - with tablecloths (remember them?) - but without the stuffiness of a restaurant that takes itself too seriously. Perched in one of the trendiest districts of Manchester, the food staunchly opposes the hipster fad-fest that surrounds it."

"17/05/2021: We had a great lunch here today, felt very safe and looked after by the brilliant staff, can fully recommend. chickenspicypaycookedbreast"