Volume 33 Number 8 , September 1, 2009

Travel Excursion
Manchester dubbed as outstanding art center

By Patrice Raplee

Photos by © Patrice Raplee

On a late sunny afternoon, college students sit on the steps of the Albert Memorial bending their heads over textbooks, while laughing children race about the square chasing each other in a mock game of tag. Tourists smile at the placid scene and focus their cameras on Manchester, England’s stunning gothic designed Town Hall.

The city of Manchester, located in northwestern England, began its boom at the turn of the 19^th century due to textile manufacturing during the industrial revolution. As the world’s first industrialized city, Manchester grew at a fast pace. Although the city is still immersed in commerce, today it is widely venerated for higher education, an outstanding center for the arts and a popular destination for travelers.

One of the most appealing aspects to Manchester, aside from the incredible revitalization, is that most of the city center is traversable by foot, or by the free Metroshuttle, that stops by the major attractions. For greater distances, the city’s Metrolink tram service connects to the major railway stations and additional areas. With so many easy modes of transportation, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of sites, history, museums and attractions, especially with a walking tour. The tours and walking tours of the city are varied (around 60 different tours) and intriguing, such as Discover Manchester, Victorian Underworld, Hidden Waterways, Art Gallery Highlights Tour and Modern Music Tour. These tours are excellent and include self-guided, company tours and tours directed by professional Blue Badge Guides. For additional information on these walks and tours, visit www.visitmanchester.com.

Manchester’s Town Hall and Albert Square are located in the heart of the city center. From this central location, visitors can easily begin their exploration of the city, starting with the magnificent Town Hall. Completed in 1887 by architect Alfred Waterhouse, the building is an amazing example of Victorian Gothic revival. Town Hall’s interior is evocative of the medieval era with a surreal atmosphere of stone spiral staircases, Pre-Raphaelite murals, and dark vaulted corridors lit with glowing orb fixtures. Mosaic tile floors resonate with a distinct pattern of bees (Manchester’s symbol of industry) that accent the stone columns, busts and statues of the city’s historical figures. This arresting interior was also the set for the movie remake of Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Visitors may tour Town Hall; however, the tours must be scheduled by prior arrangement through the Manchester Visitor Centre and require a fee.

From Albert square, it is a short distance to one of the city’s best shopping areas located on King Street. This important thoroughfare features designer fashions and outlet stores that line the popular avenue. Head just a few blocks southwest (behind Town Hall) and you’ll find the famous Manchester Art Galley, located on Mosley Street. The art museum is free and features a remarkable collection of Pre-Raphaelite, Victorian and period works and rotating exhibits on multiple floors. One of the most interesting exhibits is the interactive Clore Gallery. Children and adults will find the interactive art a great deal of fun with dressing up in costumes, creating computer portrait composites, interactive games, a spooky automated story-telling booth and a plethora of new and unusual activities to experience. The Manchester Art Gallery is one of the city’s top attractions and is a must visit. It isn’t terribly large (three floors), so it won’t create a time vortex in your schedule. For additional information, visit www.manchestergalleries.org.

For science enthusiasts, the Museum Of Science & Industry (MOSI), located on Liverpool Road, is a huge draw. From the Textiles Gallery with machine demonstrations to the Air & Space Hall, the museum presents comprehensive exhibits that fascinate, as well as educate. One of the best exhibits is the second floor Electricity Gallery. From the early 1900s to present, the exhibit takes visitors through lineal progression of electrical and PC inventions to a timeline of how science changed the world with 3-D projections and holographic displays. For additional information, visit www.mosi.org.uk.

Generally, libraries are not high on visitors’ lists; however, Manchester’s John Rylands University Library, located on Deansgate Street, is an awe-inspiring magnum opus of Victorian Gothic Architecture! The library is reminiscent of a castle and houses one of the most impressive collections of rare books, manuscripts and medieval manuscripts in the world, including the St. John Fragment, the oldest known surviving New Testament text. The moment you ascend from the lift to the first floor Exhibitions level, prepare to gaze about in unbridled wonder. The cathedral arches and corridors are intricately accented with minute detail of stone carvings and stained glass windows. The stone corridors lead to rooms with activities, changing exhibits, treasures and the Rylands Collection. Several of these rooms provide comfortable chairs for sitting and reading. It is highly recommended that if you visit at a quiet time; sit with one of the books provided in the area and take in the magical atmosphere and stillness of this beautiful building. The third floor is the Historic Reading Room and the breath-taking centerpiece of the library. Generally, there are students or researchers studying in the side rooms, but if you’re lucky, you may find in open seat. Another decided benefit to the library is the Ryland’s wonderful café on the ground floor, where visitors can relax with a cup of tea and a cream scone. For additional information, visit www.manchester.ac.uk/library.

If you wish to take in musicals and performing arts, visit the popular Palace Theatre, located on Oxford Street. The theatre presents numerous performances throughout the year, such as Cats and High School Musical 2 to the Nutcracker. Or, if you prefer a concert, the Bridgewater Hall, located on lower Mosley Street, is home to Hallé Orchestra with classical concert series and performances by guests such as the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. For additional information and season performances, visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

Manchester is imbued with the arts and theatre. Here is a list of several additional theatres: Oldham Coliseum, The MET, The Lowery, The Royal Exchange Theatre, The Opera House. For additional information, visit www.artslist.org.uk/theatre.

Manchester has a celebrated gay and lesbian district located off Portland Street. Most of the hip pubs and restaurants are located on Canal Street with top honors going to the Velvet Restaurant/ Bar/ Hotel. This chic establishment proffers a dining room with comfortable yet stylish décor in rich, darker hued tones. The menu offers everything from surf and turf to Mediterranean inspired dishes and the cuisine is excellent. In addition to Velvet’s status as Très cool, the new hotel is simply outstanding in décor, design and service. Each room is bedecked individually and scrupulously with sumptuous and elegant furnishings, such as gorgeous linens, chandeliers, curtains and lovely artwork. Several rooms even provide intimate balconies with views over the canal. If the alluring boudoirs are not enough, the bathrooms reflect the same attention to décor and style with a head-to-toe kit of Burt Bees products for guests. Velvet is garnering a reputation as one of the loveliest and unique places to stay in Manchester. Just go online and view their Hotel Gallery for a peak. For additional information, visit www.velvetmanchester.com.

While mentioning top Manchester hotels, the classic and grand Palace Hotel, located on Oxford Street directly across from the Palace Theatre, is a luxurious hotel with a fascinating history. The hotel was originally the Refuge Assurance Company. Sections of the hotel were built starting in 1890 by architect Alfred Waterhouse. The company expanded and built several more buildings to coincide with the original. In 1989, the Refuge Company moved out and a hotel was created in the building. However, the lavish building interior of glazed decorative tiles, exquisite plasterwork, Cararra marble, a bronze staircase and the signature 217-foot soaring clock tower were integrated into the hotel’s design. Today, the Palace retains the superb opulence of its original design, yet has undergone a seven million pound renovation that includes stylish and contemporary bedrooms, a bar and grand ballroom. And, the rooms are indeed superb with lovely décor and every convenience and luxury. Moreover, the Palace staff invented the term service and they are always right at attention and gracious with any request. Make sure to take high tea at the hotel; the richly ornamented surroundings and scrumptious tea delicacies are an experience to savor. Visitors may also tour the historical hotel as well, with pre-booking arrangements made. The Palace is much more than a lovely hotel; it is an intriguing view into the past where wealthy businessmen ruled and no extravagance was overlooked. For additional information, visit www.palace-hotel-manchester.co.uk.

For additional information on Manchester, visit www.visitmanchester.com.