Must See Sights and Landmarks in North Downs Area

"One of the oldest buildings in Manchester, the Cathedral has a vast and extensive history that can be traced back to humble beginnings in the 7th century, becoming a Cathedral in 1847. Having survived significant damage during both World War II and the IRA bomb, the Cathedral has undergone extensive refurbishment several times over the past century, creating a lovingly preserved building that appears much more modern than it actually is. The Cathedral is open to the public, who can admire the architecture and numerous little quirks inside, including the misericord wood carvings and bees on the roof."

"Manchester Cathedral is located on Victoria Street, in between the National Museum of Football and Victoria Station. Although the origins of the cathedral are not clear, the construction is believed to have started around 700 AD. At the time though, it was just a church."

"As home to the aforementioned world-famous Manchester United Football Club, this is the UK’s largest club stadium with a maximum capacity of around 76,000 spectators. It’s called ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ for a reason. The facilities are also world class, with cafes, restaurants, VIP boxes, event spaces and even a museum with accompanying tour."

"Affectionately called the Theatre of Deams, Old Trafford is home to the world famous Manchester United Football Club. It's home to many of the red's matches throughout the football season, as well as the official Megastore. Stadium tours also take place regularly which anyone can book on to."

"You could follow up a visit to Poole’s Cavern with a walk through the woods and past cow herds up to this Victorian folly 440 metres above sea level. Solomon’s Temple was unveiled in 1896, replacing a tower from earlier that century. That structure had been built by one Solomon Mycock, owner of the Cheshire Cheese Hotel, which is where the name comes from."

"Located in Buxton Country Park, which is included in the ticket entry to Poole’s Cavern, Solomon’s Temple is an old Victorian folly; ‘folly’ meaning a building with an aesthetic rather than a practical purpose. Situated at the summit of Grin Low Hill, on a clear day you’ll be able to see all of Buxton and far beyond."

"Alan Turing Statue is also a very important LGBTQ landmark in Manchester. It’s located in Sackville Gardens, just behind the Gay Village. Alan Turing was a computer scientist and mathematician best known for his work on Enigma (German encrypting machine) during WWII."

"Warrington’s parish church is an atmospheric sandstone building with a spire 86 metres high. This is the eighth highest spire in the country, and the fifth highest among parish churches. Most of St Elphin’s dates from a restoration that took place in the 1860s, but there are fragments of earlier buildings."

"Manchester's second most important art gallery is arguably its most beautiful, following a restoration that saw the doubling of its exhibition space through the opening of its sides and back, and the construction of glass-screened promenades. Inside is a fine collection of British watercolours, the best selection of historic textiles outside London and galleries devoted to the work of artists from Dürer and Rembrandt to Lucian Freud and David Hockney."

"The Whitworth relaunched in 2015 after a massive refurbishment and only went on to win an award for Museum of the Year by the Art Fund in its first year. They have a constantly changing display of collections and a wide spectrum of art in their temporary exhibitions. The Whitworth is located in South Manchester, I would recommend taking public transport as it’s quite a walk otherwise."

"After an extensive renovation project, the Whitworth is the best place in the city to view a collection of exciting contemporary art. Keep your eyes peeled on their exciting events calendar, pay a visit to their fabulous restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding park and pick up a picnic basket of art supplies to spark your own creativity."

"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."

"The municipal museum was founded in 1848 and moved into its purpose-built Neoclassical home in 1857. This is one of the UK’s oldest town museums and the building has kept its original character. As with the best municipal museums, the collection is a big jumble of local industrial artefacts, Egyptology, Roman archaeology, coins, ethnographic displays, items from the Civil War and zoological and botanical specimens."

"Based in the Northern Quarter, this café serves breakfast and lunch dishes including a large range of hot dishes. One TripAdvisor traveller said: “I usually venture in here for the Full English (and then I'm so stuffed I never need to eat again all day!) or the Indian Panini but I tried one of the specials today and was not left disappointed."