[bigletter]Manchester was always at the top of my list of cities to visit in England. My friend Kathy and I had been planning on going since May, so we thought the Christmas break would be the perfect opportunity to do so. Manchester is one of the most popular cities in the north of England. While in London the population is 8.9 million, Manchester sits on a population of a little over 2.8 million. Being one of the main cities in the country, I thought it would be important to learn more about its rich industrial history, its music culture (hello Liam Gallagher!) and the community’s lifestyle. [/bigletter]
Though skies are as gray as can be, and the metropolitan area is quite small, the city’s infrastructure reveals how fun and lively it can be, especially during Christmas time. Here are some spots I highly recommend you go to when in Manchester.
Dovestone Reservoir
Though skies were as grey as can be on the first day, this hidden gem was one of the highlights of the trip. The reservoir, which is on the western edge of the Peak District National Park, supplies drinking water to the surrounding areas. The area is surrounded by green fields and mountains, and you’ll see sheep eating grass along some of the hills. It’s such a breathtaking place.
Day 1: What I wore
I was so glad I wore Doc Martens, because it’s usually humid and rainy, and that day was no exception. Plus, I was expecting to be going for a walk or a hike so I made sure I was comfy and well-prepared. I also wore my old American Apparel disco pants, a sweater, my giant H&M Bomber jacket, and my vintage Louis Vuitton NOE, which I got from Rebelle. It was super muddy, and I ended up getting mud all over my boots and pants, so wearing all black was the best option.
The Roaches Lock Inn
After an hour-long walk around the reservoir, we were starving so we went to a pub called – wait for it – the Roaches Lock. The food wasn’t as awful as the name. My friend Daniel, who is from Manchester and showed me around on Friday (since Kathy was meant to arrive on Saturday) took me to the lake, and we had lunch together at the pub. He explained that a roach in Manchester is a fish! So, though I think naming a pub with the word “roach” is terrible marketing, it makes sense, since the restaurant was located near a canal where surely you can go fishing. – that last part was an absolute assumption. We both ordered pie and gravy for lunch, Dan ordered mashed potatoes while I ordered fries, or shall I say “chips?”
Mackie Mayor
On Saturday, Daniel took me to another really cool spot, but this time in the Northern Quarter. It’s a food hall called Mackie Mayor. The building used to house a coveted market in the 19th century, therefore on the outside it doesn’t look like a busy spot for foodies, so it’s more of a local go-to spot. The ambiance was busy and festive, with the Christmas lights still up and tables full of hungry visitors grabbing lunch or coffee, while sitting side-by-side on long tables. The place has a variety of street food style dishes, from traditional fish & chips, pizza, Taiwanese to Thai, sandwiches and salads.
Afflecks Palace
Manchester’s music culture and lifestyle become evident at a cool place like Afflecks. The space, which opened in 1982, was meant to support artists and independent business owners. The building’s shops, vintage stores and boutiques display the underground arts scene of Manchester. It also has a shop where you can buy a bee souvenir. The Manchester Worker bee became a symbol for the city throughout the Industrial Revolution. When Ariana Grande’s concert was impacted by a suicide bomber in Manchester in 2017, it became an even bigger symbol of pride for the community.
Day 2: What I wore
Living in London and when traveling to cities such as Manchester, my Hunter Boots come in handy quite often. PSA: The Brits call Hunter Boots ‘Wellies” and they ONLY wear them in the countryside. But I’m not British, and I do what I want, so I wore them, and paired them with black velvet leggings – also from American Apparel – a black bodysuit from Zara and a thin sweater from Top Shop. My coat is also an old coat I bought in Zara when I lived in New York City in 2011. My scarf is also from H&M.
The Central Perk
For Friends fans, this spot is a must. The Primark located on Market Street has a Central Perk! Though the food was nothing out of the ordinary, nor was there anything American in there, they have coffee, so it’s a fun spot to check out, grab a cup and take a few photos. Kathy and I went on Sunday morning – our last day in Manch’. We hung out there for a bit before heading out to explore the city some more.
Day 3: What I Wore
I packed for just a few days, so the variety was slim. I put on a dark gray turtleneck bodysuit and a black romper from Top Shop on top. I paired the outfit with my Doc Martens which I was able to clean from the dirt I gathered on Friday’s hike. I added a bucket hat from Top Shop to the outfit and wore my LV handbag again, which is already my everyday bag.
China Town
I could see the entrance to China Town from my hotel, so I felt like we needed to go before leaving. The China Towns in different cities are such staples. There’s so much history behind Eastern Asian immigration and how these communities have been able to establish their own ‘towns’ though in reality, they’re always just a few streets that are highly commercial, as well as places where you could hopefully find some good Chinese food if you’re a fan.
Manchester Metrolink
Manchester’s popular areas are quite close together, so I walked everywhere throughout the two days I was there, but there are various ways to get around, including the Metrolink as an option for public transportation. The stations stop near many of the main shops and stores in the central area.
St. Peter’s Square
I’m so glad sundown came while we were on our way to St. Peter’s Square because the sky looked so beautiful and perfect for snapping a few shots of the area. The area is one of the main Historic points in the city, and it’s also really close to fun bars and pubs that are perfect for grabbing a beer or some food. We opted for some fish & chips, which I was really craving.
Manchester Town Hall
Though the sky is usually gray, for our last evening in the city it turned purple at sundown, and our last stop for this trip was at the Town Hall, which is under construction, so we couldn’t go inside – BUMMER! jk, we didn’t want to – but the outside was really amazing and well-kept for a building that was built in 1877. The building exemplifies the Victorian Gothic revival style of architecture, using themes and elements from 13th-century Early English Gothic architecture.
I adore capturing every highlight of my travels and sharing them in hopes of helping a curious traveler with a bit of insight. If you want to see more visit and follow my hashtags #CBtalksTraveling & #CBgoestoManchester to stay in tune with where I go next.
With love from Manchester…
By Cata Balzano
