Mentioned by Atlas Obscura
29 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Manchester
"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Clem Rutter, Roch... used under CC BY 3.0. Walton Hall and Gardens is another of Warrington’s wonderful outdoor activities."
"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."
"The seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford is among the largest Catholic places of worship in the North of England. The diocese, one of the first to be founded in England since the Reformation 300 years earlier, was set up in 1850 while the building was completed in 1848. The architect was Matthew Ellison Hadfield, who designed several Roman Catholic churches in the mid-19th century, all in the Gothic Revival style."
"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."
"This one is a bit of a trek from the Manchester city center (we went here as part of a private black cab taxi tour of the city), but it is a must-visit spot for music fans. Devotees of The Smiths come from all over the world to recreate their famous photo take in front of the Salford Lads Club for the inside sleeve of their 1986 album, The Queen is Dead. Go have your own Morrissey moment!"
"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'."
"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."
"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."
"The Ivy's terrace made headlines for all the wrong reasons when a fire broke out there just a few months after it opened. It hasn't happened again since though, so you're all good. This bougie London brand is still going strong, despite the pandemic, and its views of the ever-changing skyline are worth a visit even if you can take or leave the food (see Gordo on scathing form when he reviewed The Ivy when it first opened in Manchester)"
"The Ivy's roof garden is one of the most glamorous places in the city, perfect for celeb-watching. Opulent fabrics, masses of plants and a retractable roof (plus essential heaters) make it an luxurious hangout in all weathers. You can order from a huge menu of food, including afternoon teas and brunches."
"Since opening in 2011, Australasia has become one of the city’s favourite restaurants - known for being the restaurant concealed down a flight of stairs. It's a place of relaxed elegance with an impressive menu offering Indonesian and Japanese influences. Statistics: @australasia_mcr - 21k followers / #australasiamanchester - 1,469 posts"
"This stylish subterranean restaurant in Spinningfields has long been a mecca for Manchester’s elite. Known for its splendid cocktails and sushi plates, this Valentine’s the restaurant will also have a special sharing dessert Valentine’s Bento Box for couples to split between them."
"Australasia (1 The Avenue), a glam subterranean bar-restaurant goes on late and gets busy. Visit pre-dinner to enjoy a rose and lychee martini. Check out our full review of Australasia here…"
"Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 4RA. Opened by former MasterChef winner Simon Wood, this is a large, welcoming venue. Whether you opt for the fine-dining a la carte, good-value set lunch or tasting menu, the kitchen allows fresh ingredients to shine."
"Named after chef patron Simon Wood, 2015 winner of MasterChef, this First Street restaurant offers unintimidating high end dining in a relaxed setting. From truffled tortellini to tomahawk sharers, you won’t leave hungry."
"The Manchester Doughnut Company was started by local chef Ed Beech seeking to fill a gap in the market for more eclectic donut flavours. Handmade in small batches, Ed creates flavour combinations such as white chocolate and pumpkin donuts, butterscotch and bourbon donuts and donuts topped with Crunchy Nut Cereals!. The secret to these donuts is the slow proving process used to make the dough (although covering them in butterscotch once they’ve been fried can’t hurt either eh?) You can find these beauties at The King’s Arms, and at The Makers Market in Spinningfields and Didsbury every month."
"This Welsh doughnut shop in the Northern Quarter offers melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts made on-site by Blawd bakery including inventive flavours such as apple crumble, maple pecan glaze, cherry bakewell and strawberries and cream. For National Doughnut Week there are rhubarb, vanilla and raspberry fills all week long, or try their mango lassi edition – a special collaboration with indian street food specialists Bundobust. This unique cardamom doughnut sandwich with an Alphonso mango cream is glazed and topped with candied fennel seeds, and all proceeds go to The Children’s Trust."
"Blawd bakery made a name for itself making some of the best cakes and doughnuts in Manchester. Previously working from a basement kitchen in Common, the superstar bakers have expanded with the launch of their first cafe, SiOP SHOP. Owned by Iwan Roberts and Lucy Jackson, the bakery and café on Tib Street is set to launch soon, serving a range of breakfast and lunch dishes alongside their famous bakes."