11 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Manchester

The Victoria Baths began in 1906 as a lush bathhouse that drew local bathers and was more opulent and luxurious than equivalent bathhouses of the time. The space was filled with swimming pools, private baths, Turkish baths, lavish multi-coloured brickwork and terracotta, glazed tiles, stained glass, and other decadent features fitting a ‘water palace’. 

Unfortunately, the Victoria Baths fell into disrepair in the 1990s, before being revived by a reality television competition with a restoration grant. Now, the Victoria Baths are open seasonally for guided tours, public open swimming and bathing days and special events like live performances.

Castlefield is a charming conservation area in the northern part of the city. It was once the site of a Roman-era fort and the terminus of the Bridgewater Canal, the world’s first industrial canal. Now, the area is home to restaurants, bars, and events venues that draw visitors, especially in the summer months. 

Castlefield is an Urban Heritage Park, which means its canals and cobbled pathways are sheltered and free of traffic, so it’s one of the most peaceful areas in the city. You can spend the day exploring to get a glimpse into life for residents along the canal in the past and sample some delicious food and drinks from local bars and restaurants.

Bramall Hall is a striking estate dating back to the 14^th century. Renowned for its impressive Tudor-era architecture and fascinating history, you can discover sprawling manicured gardens alongside lakes and woods that make for a stellar visit on a sunny day. There’s also a museum with engaging tours revealing the property’s engaging stories.

Inside, the most significant highlight of Bramall Hall is the Great Hall. Situated on the ground floor, there are oak and timber details everywhere you look, while the large-scale bay window is another impressive feature. You will come across storied creations, such as embroidered artworks and grand murals throughout the rest of the structure.

Chetham’s Library, dating back nearly 400 years, is the oldest public collection library in the UK. First established in 1653, the library has been a haven for scholars ever since, including Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The library is home to over 100,000 books that are open to the public, many of which date back to the 1800s. 

The building itself is historic as well and was once used as a priest’s college in the 1400s. Some of the notable texts in the collection include Hooke’s Micrographia, Strawberry Hill, Newton’s Principia, Henry VIII’s Prosper of Aquitaine, Saxton’s Atlas of England and Wales and the Latin Vulgate Bible. Library visits are by appointment or guided tour only.

Ancoats dates back to the cotton era and is one of the hippest places in Manchester. It’s now home to an array of trendy bars and restaurants with eclectic menu options and picturesque surrounds, including romantic canals and haunting old factories. 

This is a great place to find hidden gem bars and restaurants, whether you’re looking for Scandinavian food, Japanese tea houses, craft breweries or old-fashioned speakeasies. To immerse yourself deeper into the past, you can peek in the ‘peeps’, or brass peepholes that you’ll see on buildings, that give you a look into the inner workings of the machinery and textile mills in the area.

Manchester Museum was founded as a natural history museum in 1821 and is one of the most intriguing museums in the city. The museum boasts 4 floors of displays and exhibits with 4.5 million items in collections from all over the world. Some of the museum’s highlights include a fossilized Tyrannosaurus Rex, artefacts from Oceania and Aboriginal Australia, the Lindow Man bog body, archaeological artefacts from ancient worlds, archery relics, a numismatic collection and mineralogical and fossil specimens. 

Manchester Museum also has zoological specimens, including mounted exotic animal species, and a vivarium where you can see live reptiles and frogs in their natural habitat.

The Andesite Boulder at the University of Manchester’s Old Quadrangle is an unusual and fascinating hunk of lava. It’s mounted on a stone plinth against the backdrop of the university’s gothic architecture, measuring 2.4 metres by 2.7 metres by 1.5 metres and weighing over 20 tonnes. It’s believed to come from the Lake District and date back to the last Ice Age, roughly 20,000 years ago. 

When it was discovered during excavations in 1888, it was moved to the university and rests in the spot where graduation celebrations take place. The boulder is accessible to the public and a great landmark for memorable holiday photos.

Manchester Art Gallery is a stunning art museum and gallery comprised of 3 connected buildings. The museum is home to many masterpieces of local and international importance in its 25,000-item collection, including 5,000 paintings, 250 sculptures, 90 miniatures, and about 1,000 prints. There are also over 13,000 decorative art pieces, including glass, furniture, metalwork, ceramics, arms, dollhouses, and wallpapers. 

Despite its vast collection, the gallery is most renowned for its works of Victorian art and the works of French impressionist, Pierre Adolphe Valette. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of notable artists or movements. Best of all, the Manchester Museum is free to enter, so it’s an excellent attraction for a budget-friendly holiday.

The People’s History Museum is a national centre for collection, conservation, and interpretation of the history of working people in the UK. Located within a former hydraulic pumping station, the museum chronicles life for the working class over the last 200 years with a vast collection of artefacts, including photos, prints and personal objects. 

There are many fascinating periods covered in the collection, including trade unionism, women’s suffrage, and friendly societies. It also holds a vital archive of historic materials, including items related to the Department for Work and Pensions, the Communist Party of Great Britain, and the Labour Party.

Mackie Mayor, dating back to the industrial period, is one of the city’s best markets for foodie gems. The Grade-II-listed building is located on the outskirts of the Northern Quarter and offers a range of activities and culinary experiences. You can find some of Manchester’s best restaurants for sit-down meals, quick snacks or beer, wine, and cocktails. 

Whether you’re looking for traditional English food or something exotic and different, you’ll find it at Mackie Mayor. The market hosts many events throughout the year as well, such as yoga and brunch sessions, informal feasts and more. Kids and dogs are also welcome, so you can enjoy dining with the whole family.

From the outside, the Washhouse appears to be like any old neighbourhood laundromat. Beyond the exterior is a hidden bar with a phone and a single washing machine. To get a drink, you need to call ahead to book your washing and machine and hit a button on the phone to request to ‘do your load’, then you’re allowed in for a drink. 

Once past the doorway, you’ll be in a room awash with brick, rich, dark leather and low lights for a clandestine bar experience. Equal parts old-fashioned speakeasy and hip and exclusive, the Washhouse is a cocktail experience like no other that’s a must-visit hidden gem on your trip to Manchester.