The City of Manchester is made up of around 30 districts and suburbs with a total population of around 430,000. Regarded by many as the UK’s second city, it’s in the top three of most popular European city break destinations. At the heart of the northwest motorway network, Manchester is the home of Manchester Utd and Manchester City, ‘24hr Party People’ and the Halle Orchestra.

What’s there not to do in Manchester! With the city firmly on the UK and international tourism map, first class leisure facilities and diverse cultural events are in abundance.

 

Manchester boasts 135 parks, gardens and open spaces, and an additional 25 nature conservation sites within the city's Irk, Medlock and Mersey River valleys. Europe's largest public park Heaton Park is 5 miles from the city centre and to the south of the city is Tatton Park, the home of the annual RHS show. Ideally situated in central Manchester, Platt Fields Park is one of Manchester's major outdoor event sites for the Manchester Mela, Eid Festivals, annual fireworks and bonfire displays, family fun days, "off the street soccer" and cycling events.

In 2002, Manchester played host to Commonwealth Games. An aquatics centre, national squash centre, tennis centre, velodrome, new stadia and leisure centres were the pride of the Games and now offer top-notch facilities for the public to enjoy.

Manchester Museum houses the second most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found! - and the Museum of Science and Industry is especially admired for its fantastic planetarium. Urbis at the north end of Deansgate, is an exhibition centre of urban life situated on 5 floors and at nearby Salford Quays, there’s the Imperial War Museum North. Suitably, back in the centre of Manchester, the People's History Museum relates the spirit that has made the city what it is today.

As well as the multiplex cinemas and entertainment venues at The Printworks and AMC at either end of Deansgate, Manchester’s main drag, The Royal Exchange, Cornerhouse, Contact Theatre, Green Room, The Palace, Opera House and Royal Northern College of Music, offer a year round programme of mainstream and alternative theatre, cinema and live performance.

Manchester Pride and Manchester Food & Drink Festival in August and October are two of the biggest events on Europe’s party and culture calendar.

Visit www.visitmanchester.com for details of what’s on where, the Manchester Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall or check your local paper.

Manchester is probably the best shopping destination in the UK. The shops are within walking distance of each other and offer something for everyone from high street chains to one off distinctive Manchester brands.

The main department stores are located along Market Street and in the Arndale Centre – a large covered shopping mall. St. Ann’s Square is a bustling plaza surrounded by shops and cafés and the region’s leading theatre company, The Royal Exchange. The Square also hosts street fairs, markets and live free entertainment. Further up there’s New Cathedral Street and Exchange Square home to Selfridges and Harvey Nichols and The Triangle, another covered shopping centre which has even more retail outlets.

King Street and Deansgate is another destination for high street chains as well as designer fashion names such as Joseph, Flannels, Armani, DKNY and Vivienne Westwood.

Manchester’s Northern Quarter sets the city shopping experience apart from any other. Afflecks’ Palace is as far way from mainstream as it gets – from old records and tattoos to hand made cards and retro fashion. Manchester Craft and Design Centre is the hub of the creative community featuring two floors of workshops and studio showrooms selling jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture and clothing.

Manchester’s open and covered markets are a busy and colourful addition to the city’s shopping experience, offering great value for money and hard to find specialist produce. Tib Street Fairly Traded Market operates every Saturday between 10.00am and 5.00pm.

The Trafford Centre is situated just 5 miles outside Manchester city centre. A covered mall, there’s over 200 stores along 3 miles of granite and marble boulevards.

Deansgate Locks, Northern Quarter and Canal St, contemporary bars and traditional pubs, real ale and fruit beers, Chinatown to The Curry Mile, modern British to Armenian, Australian and Japanese - there’s something for everyone around every corner in Manchester. Check the local Manchester Evening News and these useful websites for more information: www.foodanddrinkfestival.com and www.visitmanchester.com

Manchester has a massive network of primary, comprehensive, grammar and private schools.
The city also has a wide range of childcare services on offer from children's centres, to registered childminders, play and out of school provision, playgroups, crèches, adult and toddler sessions.

If you're a parent looking for childcare contact:
Manchester Children's Information Service
Tel: 0800 083 7921
or
E: cisinfo@manchester.gov.uk

For information about schools and admissions contact:
Admissions Team Manchester
Children's Services
4th Floor Overseas House
Quay Street
Manchester
M3 3BB
Tel: 0161 234 7188

For your nearest GP or medical centre contact:
Manchester PCT
Mauldeth House
Mauldeth Road West
Manchester
M21 7RL
Tel: 0161 958 4000

Police/Fire/Ambulance Emergency:	999
Police General enquiries:	0161 872 5050
Manchester City Council:	0161 234 5000
Gas Escapes	0800 111999 (24 Hours)
Gas Customer Enquiries	0845 6091122
Electric Customer Enquiries	0845 7888400
Electricity No Supply	0800 195 4141 (24 hrs)
General Enquires	0800 1950101
North West Water Authority	08457 462200 (24 hour service)