Planning a cultural trip to Manchester? Make sure to enjoy the architectural beauty of the city! The streets with old buildings, cathedrals, churches, and modern art pieces adorn Greater Manchester nowadays. Here are the top architectural landmarks and hidden gems you cannot miss!
The Whitworth
The Whitworth gallery is located in the city of Manchester. The main building of the institution was built between 1895 and 1900 years, while the extensions were finished in 2014. The Whitworth is a great example of the combination of two different architectural styles, common for the 19th and 21st centuries. That is why the place is a great tourist spot.
Visit this place not only for the interesting building exterior, but also for an excursion through the modern art. The gallery possesses textiles, wallpapers, sculptures and watercolours. Find the works of these artists:
- Barbara Hepworth
- Henry Moore
- Eduardo Paolozzi
- Ford Madox Brown
- Francis Bacon
If you are planning to visit the city and this gallery with your family, then hiring a car is a great idea. There are lots of companies, like Sixt in Manchester, that provide you with high-quality automobiles. The road from the airport takes 20 minutes by car. With a rental automobile, you will be able to move to the next landmarks with ease!
Manchester Cathedral
It is one of the most beautiful buildings, and it has a long history. The church went through the rebuilds, like changing the main building to the Perpendicular Gothic style. There were several renovations done after several destructions in 1940 and 1996. Now there are angel sculptures, misericords, and breathtaking stained glass which make Manchester Cathedral one of the best attractions in the city.
The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. You are welcome to come on Sunday, but the opening hours are from 12 p.m. till 4.00 p.m. Manchester Cathedral is accessible and easy-to-find. You can hire a car in Manchester, get a taxi or arrive there by public transport.
The Bridgewater Hall
It is a venue for concerts in the centre of Manchester city. The building was finished in the 1990s, and the total cost of the hall reached £42 million. Nowadays, it hosts about 250 performances annually. The Hallé orchestra is located in this building, together with the BBC Philharmonic. An interesting fact: the Bridgewater Hall is standing on springs to reduce the noise from the outside.
There are not only concerts that are held inside the building. The Bridgewater Hall is often used for conferences, events, or evenings, devoted to annual presentations. It is also a venue for graduation ceremonies of the Manchester Metropolitan University and Open University.
The place is easily accessible by car and public transport. The road from the airport takes about 20-30 minutes.
Manchester Town Hall
If you are seeking great examples of neo-Gothic architecture of the Victorian era, then this is your chance. Located in Manchester, this building serves as a Manchester City Council ceremonial headquarters. The design was created by Alfred Waterhouse – an architect, who was common with the Gothic Revival style.
Inside the Manchester Town Hall, there are a number of ceremonial rooms and various offices. The Great Hall is known for its brightest decoration – the murals. They were created by Ford Madox Brown and served as a depiction of Manchester’s long history.
Getting there takes about 30 minutes by car. You may also use a train, but you will spend more time – nearly 50 minutes. If you are on a family trip, you can search for good cars for hire to make your journey more convenient.
Cross Street
What about the whole street, full of fantastic architecture? The street’s history began in the 18th century, but it began to flourish fully after WWI. A huge number of newspaper companies settled on the street, bringing the area to life. Nowadays, Cross Street is an area of beautiful architecture. There you can find plenty of restaurants and offices. The street extends next to the Royal Exchange building, as well as St. Ann’s Church.
Find this street in the centre of Manchester. There are trams available in the area, but if you do not like public transport, then Sixt car hire might be a great option for you to get there. It is located 30 minutes away from MAN.
