Manchester holidays and city breaks

One of the UK's largest Metropolitan areas, Manchester has a population of 2.6 million inhabitants. A huge player in the Industrial Revolution, one of the most impressive parts of the industrial heritage, Ancoats, is a collection of mills which spun cotton, housed a glass industry and a chemical works. This was once called the 'Workshop of the World'. It's easy to understand why the city is thought to have been the influence for Charles Dickens' novel "Hard Times".

Many interesting landmarks include Castlefield, site of a Roman Fort and Bridgewater Canal (1761); Victoria Baths, neoclassical Central Library and the former Daily Express Building, an Art Deco gem. Manchester can claim to be home to the world's first railway; it hosted the first meeting of the Trade Union Congress and was the place where scientists first spilt the atom. In nearby Ramsbottom, the iconic Peel Tower is a tribute to Sir Robert Peel, founder of the Metropolitan Police Force. Equally, the borough of Salford close by was the birthplace of L.S Lowry, the renowned painter of "Matchstick Men". A thriving performing arts and culture tradition in the city is visible in the Manchester Opera House, Royal Exchange Theare, Whitworth Art Gallery and Palace Theatre.

Old Trafford The Theatre of Dreams  is a fluttering sea of red and white scarves as Manchester United supporters warm up for a big game and, not too far away, the City of Manchester Stadium is home to Manchester City football club. A frenetically, fanatically football mad city, it would seem that Manchester blue or red has the Premier League all sown up.