Best Shopping Malls, Outlet and Places in Great Harwood Area

"The colourful village of independent shops and street food just off Oxford Road will be reopening from April 12, Government roadmap allowing. The complex of shipping containers will be open for business seven days a week for outdoor dining, and is offering table bookings for the first time as well as keeping space for walk-in guests. There are more than 30 businesses calling Hatch home, including coffee shop Takk, OL brewery, Grandad's Sausages, T'Arricrii, and Hanoi 75."

"Hatch is a hip and trendy box park located on Oxford Road, close to the University of Manchester. You can head there for drinks or food or shopping. Moreover, you can take some nice photos there."

"Anyone who grew up in Manchester probably spent a good proportion of their teenage years wandering around Afflecks (formally known as Affleck’s Palace). Since its opening in 1981, this warren of independent shops is a perfect alternative to high street shopping in the city, offering everything from rubber jumpsuits to rave gear. Yes, there will always be that side of Afflecks (you’ll also find condoms and sex toys), but there really is something for everyone if you take the time to browse its multitude of market stalls."

"Have you even visited Manchester if you haven’t shared a photograph of the mosaic sign outside Affleck’s?. The iconic sign reading ‘and on the sixth day, God created Manchester’ is surely one of the most popular photos of Manchester city centre on Instagram with many tourists and locals flocking to Short Street to admire the piece of art. Affleck’s, Short Street, Manchester, UK"

"One of the best places to just loose yourself is Aflecks Palace. Floors of independent stalls selling everything from food, jewelry and clothing."

"Castlefield Gallery established by artists in 1984, nestled in the heart of Manchester’s Knott Mill area. It is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists. They are focused on developing visual artists’ practices and careers whilst creating opportunities for the public to engage with the art of their time."

"Established by artists in 1984, Castlefield Gallery is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists."

"Barton Arcade is a Victorian shopping arcade that has shops and restaurants on the ground floor and offices and administrative spaces on all the other floors. The architecture style is really beautiful and the stairs between floors are stunning as well. Barton Arcade is especially beautiful when it’s empty in the morning hours (just after opening), so you can capture it without the crowds."

"Barton Arcade is a beautiful grade II listed Victorian shopping arcade which is a 5-minute walk from the Arndale Centre. Therefore, the transport links are the same as those to the Arndale Centre. This is one of the best places for shopping in Manchester if you prefer local independent businesses."

"Barton Arcade is a Victorian-style shopping arcade built in 1871. While there are many cute arcades throughout the UK, come to Barton Arcade for its colorful tiles and ironwork!"

"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 behind a curtain in a corner of the grand lobby of the Midland Hotel, there’s more than a feel of Alice in Wonderland as you are transported through mirrored doors into the dining room of The French. Soft grey and sage green tones give everything a muted luxurious feel and there are two huge cylindrical chandeliers which throw light back and forth via the mirrored panelling around the room. Chef Adam Reid’s cooking is inventive and playful but executed with real precision and flair."

"Chef-Patron Adam Reid is no stranger to fine dining and has worked in many Michelin-starred restaurants during his career. He even scooped the dessert top spot on BBC’s Great British Menu, with his signature dish Golden Empire. Diners at The French can expect the same creativity from Adam with the menu putting his stamp on modern British cuisine."

"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."

"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"

"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."

"Located near Preston Dock, the Ribble Steam Railway museum invites you to hop aboard a heritage train ride on one of their working steam trains. The museum makes a fantastic and interactive day out for all the family, delving into Preston's historical links to steam trains and Preston Dock. See their Diesel Locomotives, Steam Locomotives, miniature railway, and much more."

"This attraction features well-maintained locomotives that date back more than 100 years. A preserved railway, it is now also the home of the collection from the Southport Railway Museum and was opened to public access in 2005. It also operates passenger services from Preston Riverside to and from Strand Road Crossing."