Mentioned by Atlas Obscura
29 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Manchester
"Kids from age four are going to enjoy exploring this property on 32 acres of picturesque parkland. It offers an ideal space for picnics, kickabouts, and there are bouncy slide and trampolines, pitch n putt, and other outdoor activities that will keep the children busy. Also available for exploration in the garden is the children’s zoo, where they will meet parrots, shetland ponies, ferrets, chipmunks, rabbits, Herdwick sheep, chickens, pygmy goats, red squirrels, geese, guinea pigs, and ducks."
"Seconds on foot from the futuristic architecture of Salford Quays is a splendid Tudor mansion, home to the Radclyffe family for 300 years. The surviving parts of Ordsall Hall are built on two ranges around a courtyard knot garden, the south dating to the 15th century, and the west range completed in 1639. These both incorporate older elements dating back 750 years."
"Salford Cathedral is situated on Chapel Street in the City of Salford, which sits opposite Manchester city centre on the west bank of the River Irwell. The City of Salford covers a large swathe of western Greater Manchester, with its centre adjacent to Manchester’s. Chapel Street, a long west to east boulevard connecting the cathedral with Salford Central rail station, was the first street in the world to be illuminated entirely by gas light."
"Before he founded the Scout Movement, Robert Baden-Powell set up the Salford Lads’ Club in Ordsall in 1903. The idea behind clubs like these was to keep young boys in deprived areas out of trouble, and channel their energy into constructive pursuits and sport. The list of former members here is illustrious and includes the actor Albert Finney, the Busby Babe Eddie Colman and guitarist Graham Nash of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills and Nash."
"You may recognise The Salford Lads’ Club from the famous cover of The Smiths’ hugely popular 1986 album The Queen is Dead, with a bouffant-haired Morrissey and co stood outside its doors. Now you’re in Manchester, you’d be silly not to venture out to this same spot for a Smiths selfie with your fellow travellers. A popular venue for Manc-music fans; head inside to learn more about the band and to buy exclusive merchandise."
"Located a 20 minute walk away from the Peel Park campus, Salford Lads' Club was established in 1903 as a purpose built club for boys. The club was famously featured on the cover for the The Smiths album 'The Queen is Dead'."
"Discover the fascinating history of Adlington Hall as you tour The Great Hall, the chapel, oak-panelled dining room, the Minstrel’s Gallery, the number 10 bedroom, and more. Alongside the Great Organ, visitors can enjoy the original furniture, paintings, and décor of the building, or wander the gardens, attempt the maze, or enjoy a slice of homemade cake and a cup of tea in the tea room. I Opening Times: Public open days run on Sundays and Bank Holidays during April and September."
"A tremendous mixture of styles, Adlington Hall was founded at the end of the 15th century and then reworked in the 18th century. So while the north and east facades have romantic black and white timber framing the south and west wings are brick built, with a solemn Palladian portico. Adlington is hired out for weddings, but on Sundays between April and October the house and gardens are open to visitors."
"An interactive journey back in time, the Stockport Air Raid Shelters offers a glimpse into how people lived during the wartime blitz. Explore the labyrinth of tunnels filled with displays, posters, recreated living and sleeping areas, and a bunker, all accompanied by an audio guide highlighting the cultural, political, and social aspects living in the shelters. I Opening Times: Tuesday-Friday 1-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm."
"The Stockport Air Raid Shelters are a jolting walk back in time near Manchester. Located about 6 miles from the main Manchester area and in great Manchester, this place is an interesting, short excursion from the city Centre. The place will transport you into a dark time- the Britain of the 1940s during the war."
"Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Great Underbank, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1NE - Visit now. Stockport museums are beginning a phased reopening of their sites. The first to re-open were Bramall Hall and Stockport Air Raid Shelters."
"You can walk along the canal, through the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park on your way to the Museum of Science and Industry. Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. Admire the old industrial buildings, soak up the atmosphere of the canal, and see how Manchester used to be in years gone by."
"Zad’s is a fast-food restaurant that offers the finest and most sumptuous vegan pizza that you can ever try and taste. Established in 2017, this 100% vegan shop is considered a game-changer when it comes to the industry of fast-food restaurants as they highly prioritize healthy diet and ethical sourcing of the food that they serve in their menu. Whether you are looking for a gluten-free base, stuffed crust or thin crust, they have the right flavour of pizza that would surely tempt your palate."
"Sometimes there’s nothing you want more than a takeaway, but they can be a tricky dining option for vegans. That’s where ZAD’S comes in. Based in the southern suburb of Chorlton, its speciality is vegan pizzas, which even come in a stuffed crust option."
"Serving a fully plant-based menu of pizzas, burgers and hot dogs, Zad’s vegan takeaway is currently operating deliveries from its Chorlton site. Orders available via Deliveroo and Just Eat."
"Jaipur Palace -Chorlton is an Indian vegetarian restaurant founded by one of the best vegetarian chefs, Dr Jajoo. Trading for more than 35 years now, they have honed their skills to perfection and guarantees the most sumptuous vegetarian dishes that will tempt any palate. Currently, they have 3 restaurants located in Chorlton, Fallowfield and Altrincham where you can enjoy their delicious meals that are healthy and very appetizing."
"The Ale Inventory at The Botanist MediaCityUK features Munich Gold, Daura Damm, Asahi Super Dry, Hells Lager and Alhambra Reserva 1925. And on the cocktail menu, you'll find a range of inventive cocktails inspired by British flavours. Drinks include English Mojito made from Bombay Dry Gin, apple liqueur, vanilla syrup, cucumber and fresh mint with apple and lime juices; Smoked Birch Old Fashioned made from Money shoulder whisky, Freya Birch spirit, fir tree liqueur, orange bitters and demerara sugar; and Poppy and Pomegranate Martini consisting of Ciroc red berry vodka, poppy and raspberry liqueur, basil syrup, pomegranata and lemon juice."
"A ‘secret garden of food and drink’ set in the centre of MediaCityUK, The Botanist is opening its terrace for bookings and walk-ins from 15th April. From kebabs to bottomless brunches, along with gorgeous views of the Salford Quays, The Botanist has it all."
"The Botanist have a fresh new offering for brunch that you can upgrade to bottomless brunch if you would like (and what’s not to like?). You choose a dish from six different sections of the menu – each section has three options."