Best Shopping Malls, Outlet and Places in West Didsbury Area

"Taking inspiration from London’s Boxpark pop-up, Hatch is a series of colourful shipping-containers housing street food vendors, bars and independent shops. Located right in the middle of Manchester’s student-focused Oxford Road, you’ll often find undergrads enjoying one of Parmageddon’s locally famous chicken-parm sandwiches or devouring Herbivorous’ range of vegan burgers and loaded fries, dripping with barbecue jackfruit. Its ever-changing selection of traders, combined with a price point that’s around the tenner mark, makes this hugely popular hang-out the perfect place to grab a bite to eat without breaking the bank."

"Tiny nanobrewery Öl has its own brew kit on-site and makes some fabulous concoctions. But, as a result of the tiny set-up, their own beers usually sell out incredibly fast, so they stock a range of others too. Find them at Hatch on Oxford Road in one of the shipping containers."

"Award-winning food, drink and retail destination, Hatch, may already be booked up, but has kept 50% of its tables back for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here."

"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."

"Afflecks, 52 Church Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1PW - Visit now. No trip to the Northern Quarter would be complete without a visit to Afflecks Palace, where you’ll find independent shops selling anything from vintage and contemporary fashion through to piercings, as well as superb sweet treats (at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium) and even the tiny Three Minute Theatre on the ground floor."

"I ended up at the massive building of ‘Afflecks’, which turned out to be “An Emporium of Eclecticism“, meaning it was full of shops selling random shit, basically. Afflecks is an indoor market with dozens of independent stalls, small shops and boutiques, some of them quite strange, but also a lot of them with awesome handmade goods."

"Obstructions, Castlefield Gallery’s locked-down exhibition, will open for just five days from 19–23 May. Originally due to open on Saturday 21 November 2020, and only able to welcome visitors in the virtual realm since then, the exhibition was conceived during what now feels like the early days of the pandemic. 15 artists from the North West of England were invited to remake an existing piece of their work with one condition: they had to accept a bespoke ‘obstruction’ given to them by another artist in the exhibition."

"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."

"Located in Manchester’s city centre, Castlefield Gallery is an art gallery and agency showcasing new and contemporary fine art while also running a scheme for career development for contemporary artists."

"Built in 1871, the Victorian-style shopping arcade is located between Deansgate and St. Ann’s Square. The idyllic structure of cast iron and glass is now home to luxurious shops and office buildings. Go here to take your pics against the backdrop of colourful tiles and impressive artwork."

"Barton Arcade is a shopping mall in a beautiful Victorian building. There are shops and restaurants on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors. The ceiling is made from cast-iron and glass and gives you the feeling of a botanical garden."

"Behind the Arts Centre in Salford Quays is an outlet mall with savings of up to 70% at 90+ stores on two floors. This is the only factory outlet mall in Greater Manchester, offering discounts in fashion, interior design, home appliances, sportswear, cosmetics and much more. A few of the British household names at the Lowry Outlet are Marks & Spencer, Clarks, Clintons and The Body Shop, as well as Gap, Black and Decker, Trespass, Holland & Barrett, The Works, Claire’s and Cotton Traders."

"Whether you’re in the mood for Chinese food, Italian food or a cheeky Nando’s, there’s really something for everyone at the Lowry Outlet, where you can grab a bite and pick up a bargain. Then why not head over to The Lowry Theatre and take advantage of their cheap ticket offers for 16-25 year olds. Whatever you do, you can always finish off the evening with a walk around the stunning Salford Quays."

"Located on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter, the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art is a leading exhibition in exploring contemporary Chinese culture, through performances, workshops and film screenings. It is currently awaiting a date for reopening."

"Family run independent French restaurant & bar | Coffee and cake served all day | Free Wi-Fi | Children welcome"

"137, The Orient, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8EQ. Cafe Rouge are a chain of French restaurants. “Whatever the time of day, we have a dish to suit your mood; from steak frites and boeuf bourguignon to a selection of croques, baguettes and vegan options too – all on our menu of classic French food with a contemporary twist.” They offer breakfast and brunch dishes such as the Grande Breakfast (two free-range eggs, two Cumberland sausages, sweet cure bacon, beans, mushroom, tomato, black pudding, sautéed potatoes and sourdough toast), Pancakes (three warm pancakes topped with your choice of sweet cure bacon, banana and maple syrup, or fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and pineapple with fruit compot, and French Toast (two slices of sweet brioche bread topped with your choice of sweet cure bacon, banana and maple syrup, chocolate sauce, banana and hazelnuts or fresh seasonal fruit, honey and vanilla crème fraîche)."

"Frank Matcham, the UK’s foremost theatre architect at the turn of the 20th century, designed Buxton’s 902-seat Opera House, which opened at Pavilion Gardens in 1903. After 25 years hosting touring opera and theatre companies, the Opera House functioned as a cinema before being restored and reopened as a live performance venue in the 1970s. It’s a marvellous building, both inside and out , with a pair of Neo-Baroque domes on the facade, and cherubim, gold leaf, exuberant plasterwork and frescoes adorning the auditorium."

"Proudly standing in the heart of this spa town is Buxton Opera House. Designed by celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham, it opened amidst great celebration on 1st June 1903. You can still enjoy year-round live performances here and it’s always worth checking online to see what’s on."

"Yes, Buxton has one of its own, designed by Frank Matcham no less, with a busy and varied programme. Next week there’ll be performances of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, hot from the West End."

"As far as theatrical experiences go, nothing comes close to the thrill of catching a live show. Be it a drama, a comedy act, a musical, Shakespeare or some combination of them all, Manchester’s thriving arts scene make it one of the best places to take in theatre. The Royal Exchange building and its theatre have survived a lot, having been badly damaged during both World War II and the Manchester bombing in 1996."

"Contact Theatre will be heading out across Manchester this summer for a series of outdoor performances. Contact is an Oxford Road theatre and performing arts venue creating and producing its own shows, as well as hosting tours from the world’s best theatre companies. Contact will be heading out across the city this summer, delivering a series of outdoor performances before its building reopens to the public in September 2021."

"You are yards from the Peak District, so there’s walking galore out here, but if you are after a shorter trek then the 19th-century folly at the top of Grin Hill affords a spectacular view of town and country."

"Buile Hill Park is a Grade II listed public park and hall and is the second oldest park in the city, after Peel Park. The park is also the largest in the city, as well as one of the most popular. Buile Hill Park has a significant history, with close links to the artist LS Lowry, as well as being used as a military base in both world wars."