we are flying from Manchester for our holidays and the flight is something like 6am so we are going to stay over in an airport hotel the night before and were thinking we would make a day of it in manchester. What is there to do in manchester that we could do for a half day or so before going to the hotel? We enjoy strolling round country parks and sites of interest, although the Velodrome has already been ruled out. So what could we do in manchester on August 19th?

I quite like the Lowry gallery at Salford Quays

Given your liking for walking and sites of interest, Tatton Park could be an option…?

get mugged…

Arrive late afternoon and get drunk in the hotel.

the whitworh art gallery.
science museam

if you like footie – you could always to the old trafford tour – not that I’ve been or would ever but apparantly it’s Ok and as previously mentioned, you could go to the lowry centre or just chill out in the centre.

Styal mill – nice gardens etc etc

Dunham Massey; only 10 miles from the airport and just off the M56 to boot; should satisfy the wandering around country park aspect.

I’d drink the afternoon away sat out of the back of The Chop House.

If you’re going soon the International festival would be worth checking out.

Mooch about the city centre. Check out the northern quarter for a bit, have a look around Urbis or the City Art Gallery, thenHarry’s suggestion to round things off is a good one!

Imperial War Museum, art gallery in town.

A trip to the museum of science and industry (first passenger rail station in the world), wander round china town for some top dim sum, some great shops and a couple of light ales in one of the following top M/cr ale houses:

Marble Arch

Pevril of the Peak

The Old Wellington Inn

Eeeee its grand up t’north

Add Briton’s Protection to the great pubs list…