When most travelers think of England, we think of London. However, there is a whole country to explore outside of the capital city. We recently took a trip to explore the North of England via Manchester. There was so much to see, do and explore. Everything from street art, fine dining, shopping, historical sights, and cultural experiences are there for the taking in the North of England and all without the crowds of London.
Getting to the North of England
Thanks to an additional seasonal route from Virgin Atlantic, Bostonians can now reach Manchester and the North of England on a nonstop-flight three times a week. With the flight under 6 hours long, Manchester is a great long weekend option, it is quicker to get there than California after all!
We started our trip in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Logan and enjoyed a light meal and drinks before our flight. It was the perfect way to settle into the trip before we even took off!
Where to Go in the North of England
Our plan for the trip was to land in Manchester, spend a few nights there and then take the train to nearby Liverpool and then head back to Manchester for a little more exploring before heading home.
Manchester
Manchester is a hip city, filled with culture, beautiful architecture, friendly people and lots of great food! Here are a few hotspots you can’t miss on your next trip to the North of England!
Street Art of the Northern Quarter – The Northern Quarter of Manchester is filled with beautiful and interesting street art. We joined the Skyliner “Modern History of the Northern Quarter Walking Tour” where we learned about the counterculture that created all the amazing street art in this part of the city.
John Rylands Library – The John Rylands Library was founded by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband John Rylands and is a beautiful gothic building, that opened in 1900. It is a must for history and architecture lovers visiting Manchester. In fact,many scenes from the Winston Churchill biopic, “The Darkest Hour” were filmed here because of its amazing architecture and old-world feel.
Three Rivers Gin – Three Rivers Gin was the first distillery to open in the city center of Manchester and offers gin making classes to groups visiting. Each person gets to make their own flavored gin and gets a bottle of it to take home as a souvenir. The Gin School is available to be booked every Thursday through Sunday.
Where to Eat
Manchester is filled with cool eateries, gourmet restaurants and cool street food. Here are a few places you should add to your list.
Northern Soul – A cool spot for lunch in the Northern Quarter, Northern Soul serves up some drool worthy grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes.
Peter Street Kitchen – Located in the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Peter Street Kitchen was recently awarded the title of the ‘best luxury restaurant in the UK’ and serves up some tasty Japanese-Mexican fusion dishes.
Mackie Mayor – Mackie Mayor is an upscale food hall perfect for a casual night out inside a stylishly renovated old market hall. They serve everything from pizza to tacos to classic British fish sandwiches.
Where to Stay
In Manchester we wanted to check out two neighborhoods, so at firstwe stayed at the Radisson Blu Edwardian which is centrally located in the heart of the city center, with shopping, attractions, cool restaurants and nightlife on its doorstep. And then second, wechecked out the CrownePlaza Oxford Road, near Manchester University, another area filled with trendyspots like Hatchand cultural attractions like The Whitworth and Manchester Museum. The modern hotel has some great views of the city as well!
Liverpool
After a quick hour-long train ride from Manchester, we were in Liverpool. Liverpool is a beautiful cityon the banks of the Mersey River,filled with gorgeous architecture, lots of music and more! Here are a few activities you won’t want to miss.
British Music Experience – An interactive exhibit, the British Music Experience showcases the journey of British music throughout the years and the impact it has had on the world. The British Music Experience is located near the Liverpool Waterfront.
Royal Liver Building – Any visit to Liverpool has to include a visit to the Royal Liver Building. Visitors can now head to the top viewing deck for a 360-degree view of the city and port! I loved this experience because as part of the tour we got to experience a multimedia light show depicting all the major scenes from the city’s history.
Chinatown – Liverpool’s Chinatown is another can’t miss destination. It is home to the largest Chinese arch in Europeand is a cute little neighborhood to explore and snap a few photos.
Where to Eat
Mowgli – When it is time for lunch head to Mowgli for some great Indian street food, near the waterfront on Water Street. We tried their office worker’s lunch and their Chat Bombs. Just the thing to hit the spot after a morning of exploring!
The Florist – The trendy Hope Street area has many cafes and restaurants to check out, we recommend starting at The Florist. We had a lovely matcha latte afternoon pick me up while enjoying their pretty-in-pink aesthetic.
Papillon – When it’s time to switch from lattes to cocktails, head down the street to the newly opened Papillon, which is a fabulous little bistro café with lots of outdoor seating. It’s a perfect place to enjoy some people watching before dinner.
60 Hope Street – And for dinner, you still don’t have to leave Hope Street! 60 Hope Street is a stylish little eatery perfect for a night out with friends and family. The pork belly starter and the sticky toffee pudding can’t be missed!
Where to Stay in the North of England
In Liverpool we stayed at the Aloft Hotel right in the heart of downtown, within easy walking distance of most of the major sites like the Liver Building, Bold Street and the Albert Docks. The grand entrance has been given a modern facelift and the rooms are spacious and comfortable with high ceilings, and lots of cool touches.
For more UK travel ideas read all about these trips to the Goring in London and a visit to Oxford University!
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