Mentioned by Atlas Obscura
29 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Manchester
"Lavish Elizabethan-style hall with ornamental gardens, including picnic areas, a kids' zoo and cafe. Address : Walton Lea Rd, Higher Walton, Warrington WA4 6SN, United Kingdom"
"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."
"Ordsall Hall, 322 Ordsall Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 3AN - Visit now. A beautifully preserved Tudor mansion and museum with resident ghost and expansive lawns."
"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."
"This stirring Jacobean Revival country house owes its current appearance to the Victorian architect Edward Blore, who also worked on Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace. His remodelled facade is from the 1830s, though the house dates back more than a century before. Capesthorne Hall is now primarily a wedding venue, but does receive visitors on Sundays and Mondays during spring and summer."
"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."
"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."
"Standing high above the picturesque village of Castleton are the imposing ruins of Peveril Castle, one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses. After an exhilarating climb from the village you are rewarded with breath-taking panoramic views over Hope Valley from the top of the hill. All that survives of the castle today is the atmospheric keep, built by Henry II in 1176."
"Built to be impregnable, the ruins of Peveril Castle stand on a steep ridge with dramatic views in all directions, giving the....."
"Right across the road from the Crescent, at Ann’s Well is where you can sample Buxton’s famed mineral water – just remember to bring a bottle. The water comes out at 28°C, so just above room temperature and unlike many natural springs has a smooth taste with a little aeration. Percolating from a mile below ground, the spring also picks up some harmless radiation."
"Sample some of the town’s famous healing waters for yourself at St Anne’s Well, just in front of the Buxton Crescent. By drinking the water you’ll be following in the footsteps of some very famous individuals, including Mary Queen of Scots, who was commanded by her sister, Elizabeth I, to visit Buxton and ‘take the waters’."
"Buxton is famous for it’s drinking water, so why not fill your water bottle straight from a spring deep under ground?. Located in the historic Crescent area here, this geothermal spring marked with a shrine to St Anne runs at a constant 28°C. Unlike many natural springs has a smooth taste with a little aeration."
"Unit 2-5 The Old Court House | George Street Buxton, Buxton SK17 6AY, EnglandReservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free WifiFrench, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night+44 1298 437024"
"The flagship fine dining restaurant at The Midland Hotel is Manchester’s long-standing answer to Haute cuisine. Now under the Manchester-born chef Adam Reid, winner of the BBC’s prestigious Great British Menu, who has brought The French a new sense of youth. Despite the name, The French focuses on British food using local ingredients and native flavours such as Beef Dripping, Rhubarb and Lancashire cheese."
"Regularly lauded as a potential Michelin star winner, The French is a destination restaurant for all. Adam’s Great British Menu-winning dessert Golden Empire is a must-try, alongside four, six or nine course tasting menus. A treat for any fine dining enthusiasts, The French showcases everything that is great about northern produce and cooking."
"Adam Reid at The French is one of the city's top fine dining restaurants, boasting an array of awards from 4AA Rosettes to multiple inclusions in The Good Food Guide. The chef, a Manchester native, likes to put a twist on modern British food across a choice of four, six or nine courses."