Past and Present

Originally a Roman outpost Manchester evolved in to an industrialised city playing a key role in Britain's industrial revolution. Manchester is now the UK's second largest city, with over 2½ million people living in the main districts and over 7 million in Manchester's surrounding areas.

In the past twenty years Manchester has undergone extensive growth and redevelopment, benefiting from huge government and EU funding together with private investment. In addition, Manchester's student population is in excess of 50,000, adding both to the city's economy and to the cosmopolitan feel of the city's bars, restaurants and nightlife. Modern day Manchester is arguably one of the fastest developing contemporary cities in the UK, attracting investment from all over the world.

Going out in Manchester

Manchester 's entertainment venues and night life rival those of any European capital. Whether it's a museum, a meal, a film or a concert we guarantee you a wide variety of exciting, stimulating and diverse choices.

Art and Culture

Wherever you plan to visit in Manchester you will find some of the most interesting and up-to-date exhibitions and shows in the UK .

Music

Manchester is well known for it's music scene.

Bands including; New Order, The Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, The Charlatans and Oasis have been heavily influential in changing popular music culture during the 1980's and 1990's. The Smiths, M People, Simply Red and Take That have also originated from Manchester.

For the more classically minded, Manchester also has the World famous Halle Symphony Orchestra who play regularly at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester city centre.

Shopping in Manchester

If you like shopping, you'll love Manchester. With its unique blend of high-street chain stores, fashion boutiques, privately owned shops and market places, it lays valid claim to being the best shopping experience in the UK.

From the exclusive 'Triangle Centre' in the heart of the city to the Trafford Centre on the outskirts, Manchester offers a well organised and varied shopping experience for all dedicated shoppers.

Sport and leisure in Manchester

In the summer of 2002, Manchester hosted one of the world's largest sporting events, the 17th Commonwealth Games.

The success of the Games was acknowledged worldwide and now these world-class facilities are open to the public. The National Squash Centre, Indoor and Outdoor Athletics Centre, Isospar Gym Facility , the Indoor Tennis Centre and the National Cycling Centre at the Velodrome are all regularly used by Manchester 's residents and visitors.

No section on sport would be complete without a mentioning one of the most famous football teams in the world, Manchester United. Famous around the world, you can visit the teams museum at Old Trafford and take a tour of the stadium that includes entrance to the actual dressing room used by the players.

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Travel in Manchester Manchester International Airport is the third largest airport in Britain . You can fly direct from most major locations in the world to Manchester or take a 40 minute connecting flight from London 's Heathrow. With two large train stations in the city centre, it's easy to travel by train to any station in the UK . In addition you can catch a direct connecting train to the Eurostar terminal in London .

The most popular form of transport with locals and learners tends to be the bus or the tram system known as the Metrolink. As a learner you qualify for cheaper fares and bus routes cover all of Manchester and it's surrounding districts. In addition, there are cheap coach services to all major cities and towns in the UK and Europe .

Taxis are available at all times of day in Manchester . Registered taxis are insured and are safe to use.