Following on from our last two articles about the best things to do mid-week Manchester, we have another list of top activities, as we thought there was too much not to show you! If you happen to be staying at one of our serviced apartments in Manchester, definitely keep reading for some inspiration.
Find out more about Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral was built in the fourteenth century, but its Gothic lines have been jumbled up much too much to have any architectural coherence. Astonishingly, it's still standing at all: a 1000lb bomb nearly destroyed the inside in 1940, obliterating much of the stained glass, which is why the interior is so bright today.
The Angel Stone, which was discovered in the South Porch of the existing cathedral in Victorian times, remains an early Saxon Church (c700). Her Majesty The Queen founded a £2.9 million visitor centre in 2002. You can view the ruins of a mediaeval hanging bridge in the basement, which were only uncovered during excavations in the 1880s and are now on display.
Read a book in two of the finest libraries in the world
While they hold an unending supply of book-shaped treasures, you'll be more impressed with the formations in which they're kept. The John Rylands Library, part of the University of Manchester, was founded in 1900 and is known for its neo-Gothic design. The beautiful Reading Room was built 30 feet above the street to avoid disturbing readers as horse-drawn traffic passed over the Deansgate cobblestones. It was renovated for £17 million, although the original furnishings and fittings were kept. In its exhibition gallery, you can view some excellent collections of books and other artefacts for free.
See a theatre show
Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre is the country's largest "theatre in the round." No seat is more than nine metres from the stage, which has seen Helen Mirren, Tom Courtenay, and Maxine Peake walk its boards. The interior is meant to mimic a lunar space vessel (weighing in at 150 tonnes). The Palace Theatre on Oxford Street began as a music hall in 1891 and now hosts West End musicals, opera, and ballet. Expect a vibrant and diverse programme from the Contact Theatre, which is managed by the nonprofit Contact and strives to offer chances to the next generation of creatives.
Spend some time (and money) shopping
Manchester has a unique mix of large shopping centres, independent shops, and boutiques. In Manchester, there are two Selfridges, one in the Trafford Centre and the other in Exchange Square. Harvey Nichols, near the National Museum of Football and the Royal Exchange, has additional high-end shopping. Don't forget to have a drink of champagne at the bar! The Trafford Centre offers all of your high-street favourites, as well as a cinema, adventure golf, and the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre. It's five miles from the city centre, but you can reach there by car, bus, rail, or tram. If you want to stay in the heart of Manchester, you can visit the Manchester Arndale.
It's easy to see why Manchester really is one of the top picks for those wanting a staycation - there's endless things to do and places to go and see.
Why not check out Part 1 or Part 2 of "The Best Things to do Mid-Week in Manchester." and discover more about one of the best cities in the U.K?
Need a place to stay after all this exploring? Book your stay beforehand in one of our serviced apartments located in the heart of Manchester!