Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Open Monday to Saturday, the home of Manchester’s artistic community is an oasis of calm and beauty, just five minutes from the city’s main shopping streets. It’s a gorgeous Victorian building that’s been converted into retail and studio spaces filled with makers and crafts. There’s also a brilliant programme of exhibitions and workshops, so you might even pick up a new skill or two.
Skyliner Street Art Tour: The Modern History of the Northern Quarter
To get an alternative feel for your new neighbourhood, try a Skyline tour. They’re award-winning for a reason. The guides are brilliant, and the routes are a little off the beaten track, with a fresh take on the history and landmarks, a focus on sustainable tourism and a hearty dose of Mancunian pride.
Cutting Room Square in Ancoats
One of the city’s favourite hotspots for al fresco everything, this beautiful square is home to all kinds of neighbourhood favourites. The vibe is laid back and welcoming – we love The Counter House for brunch, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza for dinner and Elnecot for drinks in between.
Manchester’s iconic LGBT village is a colourful, joyous place to saunter in the sunshine. The Rochdale Canal runs right through it, with cafés, bars, restaurants and green spaces to lounge in and soak up the vibrancy. It’s also just a quick walk from Chinatown, so you can get your dim sum fix at the same time.
If a waterside stroll with takeaway coffee sounds good, head to Cotton Fields Park in New Islington. This new eco-park is blossoming, with a new body of water, a boardwalk, an urban beach and little islands, one of which is going to be an orchard. The perfect place to reconnect with nature at the heart of city life.
Book your post-lockdown escape at Native Manchester.
