Quintessentially British Manchester

18th March 2019

Categories: Latest News

Ahead of our attendance at MeetGB in Windsor, and its theme of ‘Historical Royal’, we’ve decided to highlight what we think are some of the most British things to see and do in Manchester.

Afternoon Tea at the Midland

Popular on the Manchester social scene since the Midland Hotel opened in 1903, the Tea Room at the Midland boasts some of the most opulent surroundings of any tea room in the UK.

When it opened, the hotel was owned by the Midland Railway Company and even incorporated its own theatre. It has welcomed many a King, Queen, President and rock star.

The Victorian Chophouses

Home to three Victorian chophouses including Sam’s, Albert’s and Mr Thomas’, Manchester’s popular eateries are more than just dining spaces. Albert Square Chophouse is named after the square it calls home, which in turn was named after Prince Albert himself.

The Memorial Hall where Albert Square Chophouse is housed was once one of Manchester’s most important civic meeting places, Sam’s is home to a statue of L.S.Lowry propped up at the bar where he was often a regular, and Mr Thomas’ backs onto St Ann’s Square. Once Acres Field, the location of the town’s original farmers’ markets – created in perpetuity by royal decree on behalf of King Henry III in 1222.

National Football Museum

Manchester – the birthplace of the beautiful game. In 1888 the world’s first professional football league was set up at the Royal Hotel, Piccadilly. Since then, football has been part of Manchester’s DNA. Now home to the National Football Museum, Manchester continues to tell the story of both national and international football.

Suffragette Britain

In 1903 Mancunian Emmeline Pankhurst found the Women’s Social and Political Union, later known as the Suffragettes. Emmeline dedicated her life to the campaign for women’s votes and the Pankhurst Centre, previously Emmeline’s home, displays the work and struggle of the women Suffragettes. As well as a statue of Emmeline herself which was erected in the city centre to mark the centenary of the first women’s vote in 1918, the Pankhurst’s home is available to visit every Thursday.

Congregate on the Cobbles

A British and international favourite, Coronation Street is the world’s longest running TV soap opera. Starting on December 9^th 1960, Coronation Street quickly became a regular segment on British television. Hailing from Manchester since its inception, even royals themselves have visited the street, with Queen Elizabeth II visiting in 1982 to open the new set at Granada Studios.

First passenger railway

The Duke of Wellington opened the world’s first passenger railway in 1830 which ran from Manchester to Liverpool and spawned the beginning of the railway revolution in Britain. Part of the original line still exists today at Science and Industry Museum.

That’s Cricket!

Played since the 16^th Century in Britain, cricket is a long-standing favourite here. As a host to some of cricket’s most iconic moments since 1857, Emirates Old Trafford remains to be a world-class sporting, conference and events venue.

MeetGB takes place in Windsor from 11-12 April 2019. If you're heading down, be sure to pop by and say hello!