Trains to Manchester Piccadilly Station & Manchester Airport

A vibrant, multicultural city in the north of England.

Manchester offers big-city sophistication coupled with extraordinary heritage and history. Once a city at the heart of the industrial revolution, Manchester is celebrated for its rich variety of architecture, world-renowned sports, colourful arts and music scene, and popular shopping quarters.

Named one of the best places in the world to visit by the New York Times in 2015, Manchester is a city to explore and enjoy on any budget. Just two hours from London and three and a half hours from Cardiff by direct train, reaching the city by rail is a breeze. Fringed by the rolling hills of the Pennines to the north and east, Manchester is a perfect base for a weekend city break, family getaway and adventure holiday. 

Top attractions

Brimming with some of the UK’s very best attractions, you’ll never be short of things to do in Manchester. Those on a city break can enjoy an afternoon at Salford Quays, visiting the exquisite Lowry arts venue named after distinguished artist LS Lowry, or touring the BBC’s MediaCityUK studios, home to some of the UK’s best loved TV shows.

Families and LEGO lovers can unleash their creativity at the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre which boasts a whopping 2 million LEGO® bricks under one roof. Meanwhile, football fans can go behind the scenes at the Old Trafford Museum & Tour Centre and learn the extraordinary story of legendary team, Manchester United.

Culture and heritage

From contemporary art galleries to world-class museums, Manchester has it all. There are dozens of galleries, museums and historical landmarks to visit for free. Highlights include the Manchester Museum displaying some of the UK’s most remarkable collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts; Manchester Art Gallery containing over 25,000 objects of fine art, decorative art and costume; and the iconic Imperial War Museum North showcasing unforgettable stories of war. For insight into Manchester’s ground-breaking scientific legacy from the industrial revolution to splitting the first atom, the Museum of Science and Industry is another attraction not to be missed.

Shopping

Shopaholics beware: an afternoon of retail therapy in Manchester is second to none. From the designer stores of King’s Street to the vintage and independent boutiques of the Northern Quarter, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. The high street and designer stores at the Lowry Outlet in Salford Quays offer up to 70% discount, and the Trafford Centre, the UK's second largest shopping centre, is just a short bus ride from the city centre.

Food and drink

Wandering through Manchester, you’re guaranteed to stumble across stylish eateries, traditional pubs, and independent coffee shops galore. The city’s gastronomical highlights include a mix of world cuisine restaurants within the beautiful setting of the Edwardian Corn Exchange, Rushmole's acclaimed ' Curry Mile' with Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan delights, and Salford Quays’ many trendy riverside bars and restaurants.