At Housd, we know that working away from home can be a demanding experience. You’re in a new city, focused on your project, but also trying to maintain some semblance of a normal routine. If you’re a contractor deployed to Manchester, you’re in luck! This vibrant, welcoming city offers a fantastic array of options to make your temporary stay enjoyable and productive.
Here’s your guide to making the most of your time in Manchester, covering everything from leisure and dining to essential amenities.
Contracting Away from Home in Manchester? What to Do: Explore & Unwind
Manchester is steeped in history, culture, and a legendary music scene. When you’re off the clock, there’s plenty to keep you entertained:
- Museums & Galleries:
- Science and Industry Museum: Explore Manchester’s industrial heritage, home to the world’s first inter-city railway.
- National Football Museum: If you’re a football fan, this is a must-visit, celebrating the beautiful game’s history.
- Manchester Museum: Discover natural history, human cultures, and even a T-Rex skeleton!
- Manchester Art Gallery: Free to enter, with impressive collections of fine art.
- The John Rylands Library: A stunning neo-Gothic building, worth a visit just for its architecture.
- Music & Entertainment:
- Northern Quarter: Famous for its independent record shops, vintage boutiques, and lively bars. Explore its street art and live music venues like Band on the Wall or Matt and Phred’s (jazz).
- AO Arena / Albert Hall / O2 Ritz: Check schedules for major concerts, comedy acts, and events.
- The Lowry (Salford Quays): A stunning theatre and art gallery complex offering a diverse programme of shows, from musicals to drama.
- HOME: A multi-arts venue for independent cinema, contemporary theatre, and art exhibitions.
- History & Heritage:
- Manchester Cathedral: Nearly 600 years of history in the city centre.
- Castlefield Urban Heritage Park: Explore Roman forts, canals, and industrial architecture.
- Chetham’s Library: Britain’s oldest public library, a fascinating step back in time.
- Shopping:
- Manchester Arndale: The city’s main shopping centre with a wide range of high street brands.
- Afflecks: For something unique, explore this independent emporium filled with quirky boutiques.
- Green Spaces:
- Heaton Park: One of Europe’s largest municipal parks, offering a golf course, farm, and plenty of space to relax.
- Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden: A beautiful spot for a leisurely stroll and nature appreciation.
What to Eat: A Culinary Journey
Manchester’s food scene is incredibly diverse, catering to all tastes and budgets.
- Fine Dining & Steakhouses (Spinningfields/City Centre):
- Hawksmoor / Blacklock: For premium steaks.
- Sexy Fish / Lucky Cat: High-end Asian-inspired dining experiences.
- International Flavours:
- Chinatown: One of the largest Chinatowns outside of China, offering a huge array of authentic Asian restaurants.
- Corn Exchange: A beautifully restored building housing a variety of international restaurants (Italian, German, Indian, etc.).
- Curry Mile (Rusholme): A short bus ride south of the city centre, legendary for its dense concentration of South Asian restaurants.
- Casual & Pub Grub:
- Northern Quarter Pubs: Many offer excellent gastropub food alongside craft beers. Try The Blues Kitchen for live music and food.
- Albert’s Schloss: Bavarian-inspired beer hall with hearty food and a lively atmosphere.
- Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza (Ancoats or Peter Street): Consistently rated as one of the best pizza places in the UK.
- Almost Famous: Famous for indulgent, ‘dirty’ burgers.
- Budget-Friendly Bites: Look out for independent cafes and street food markets, especially around Piccadilly Gardens or within the Arndale food court for quick, affordable options. Many smaller chains like Greggs are ubiquitous for cheap snacks.
Housd: Streamlining UK Business Travel Accommodation for Contractors.
Your trusted partner for hassle-free staff accommodation. We access 25,000+ verified properties, handling all aspects of finding, booking, and managing stays for your workforce. This saves you time, money, and stress, with typical savings of 20–30% versus standard platforms. Enjoy our complete, end-to-end service, from sourcing to check-out – get in touch today.
Essential Amenities for Your Stay
When you’re away from home, access to practical amenities is crucial for maintaining your routine and well-being.
- Supermarkets:
- Tesco Express/Sainsbury’s Local/Co-op: Numerous smaller branches scattered throughout the city centre for daily essentials.
- Morrisons (Piccadilly Gardens): A larger supermarket for a more extensive shop.
- For bigger shops, you might need to venture slightly outside the immediate city centre, or consider online delivery services from major supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose).
- Laundromats/Dry Cleaners:
- Many serviced apartments offer in-unit washing machines, which is a huge convenience.
- If not, there are dry cleaners and laundromats available in the city centre and surrounding areas (e.g., New York Launderette in Salford, close to the city centre). Laundryheap also offers collection and delivery services.
- Gyms & Fitness:
- Y Club (Castlefield): One of Manchester’s largest health clubs, with a gym, pool, and wide range of classes.
- King Street Gym: Centrally located, offering gym, swim, sauna & steam, and group classes.
- Many hotels and aparthotels (like CitySuites or Whitworth Locke) have their own on-site gym facilities, a key benefit for long-term stays.
- Numerous other gym chains like PureGym and JD Gyms have branches across the city centre, often offering flexible memberships.
- Pharmacies: Boots and Superdrug are readily available on major shopping streets like Market Street and Piccadilly.
- Post Offices: Central Post Office branches are available for postal services.
- Medical Facilities: Always know the location of the nearest GP surgery (for non-emergencies) or NHS walk-in centre, and the closest A&E department (Royal Infirmary).
Navigating Manchester: Transport Tips
- Metrolink (Trams): Manchester’s tram network is excellent for getting around the city centre, Salford Quays, and connecting to various neighbourhoods.
- Buses: Extensive bus network covering the entire city and Greater Manchester.
- Walking: Much of the city centre is very walkable.
- Trains: Piccadilly and Victoria are the main train stations for regional and national connections.
Being away from home for work doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or social life. Manchester’s vibrant atmosphere, diverse culinary scene, and excellent amenities mean you can focus on your project while still enjoying a rich and fulfilling experience. Make the most of your temporary home in this fantastic Northern city!
