Located in northwest England, Manchester is often referred to as England's "second city" (after London). In the 1800's, the city was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution and, for a while, suffered from post-industrial squalor. In recent years, however, the rejuvenated city has made great strides in the arts, education and technology. As testament to this rebirth, Manchester was chosen to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Visitors to the city will find a varied cultural scene – with many theatres, galleries, nightclubs and sporting events – plus a number of interesting sights.

See:

• The Lowry – a stunning space-age construction of aluminium and titanium which has three theatres, an art gallery, bars and restaurants enclosed within its walls. The artistic output of the Lowry is diverse and features high on the list of quality theatres of the Region
• Manchester Town Hall - Built in 1877 and designed by renowned architect Alfred Waterhouse, this Victorian/Gothic structure presently houses offices for the city council. Painted murals found in the Great Hall depict prominent historical events.

Experience:

• Affleck’s Palace – Buy the latest dance floor and street fashions from young designers and second hand stalls at this exciting arcade
• Museum of Science & Industry - It’s a whole day of fun for the whole family. See a huge collection of historic trains, planes, helicopters and motorcycles, industrial engines, detailed scientific and industrial history, and the experiment room with hands on activities for children
• Manchester City Football Club Stadium – come and experience a game of soccer, or alternatively, you can tour the stadium, change rooms, and trophy rooms