The Peak District
The Peak District was England's first national park.
This beautiful region sits in the central and northern parts of
England, largely within the picturesque county of Derbyshire.
Diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a rich historic heritage
combine with busy market towns and thriving cities such as
Sheffield and Manchester. With over 22 million visitors annually,
the Peak District is a major UK tourist destination, and the Peak
District National Park is one of the most visited parks in the
world. The district is generally divided into three main areas.
White Peak in the south is characterised by its limestone
landscapes with a blend of flat plateaus and gentle valleys, while
the South West Peak is a mix of hay meadows and moorland. The most
sparsely populated area is Dark Peak in the north, where dramatic
gritstone plateaus, craggy edges, and ridges contrast with deep
valleys. The whole region is rife with quaint towns, majestic
historic homes, old mills, and museums, as well as plenty to please
the outdoor enthusiast, including top-class rock climbing, caving,
and fly fishing. Visitors can enjoy an authentic Bakewell pudding
in the eponymous village, take a leisurely hot air balloon ride for
a bird's eye view, mountain bike in the Hope Valley near
Charleston, or travel back in time in an impressive country manor.
It's an excellent choice for visitors who plan to rent their own
car while on holiday in the UK.
Chatsworth Estate, Peak District,
Paul Collins
Old Trafford
Nicknamed the 'Theatre of Dreams', Old Trafford has since 1878
been home to Manchester United, England's premier football club.
More than 200,000 visitors come each year to marvel at the home of
the sport's greatest superstars. Guided tours of the stadium run
every 10 minutes, and the award-winning on-site museum is
chock-full of fascinating trivia, memorabilia, and interactive
exhibits, guaranteed to delight fans and perhaps even win over a
few new ones. The Red Cafe, in the North Stand of the stadium, is
open daily and serves up delicious food for those needing
replenishment, while the Megastore in the East Stand sells every
conceivable type of Manchester United merchandise, from replica
kits to posters and key chains.
Old Trafford football ground
Wiki CC
Museum of Science and Industry
It may not seem like everybody's cup of tea, but the Manchester
Museum of Science and Industry is a truly fascinating and varied
collection of exhibits, displays and more, that will appeal to
visitors of all ages. Fifteen different galleries crammed full of
interesting items are housed in the key historic site of one of the
world's oldest railway stations, Liverpool Road Station. Some of
the permanent exhibits include the Revolution Manchester
interactive technology gallery; the captivating Collections Centre
with anything from antique microscopes to
memorabilia; a 4D cinema; and the Air and Space
Hall. The Special Exhibitions gallery plays host to several touring
exhibitions annually. The museum also houses a shop, café and
restaurant, as well as several picnic areas. A highly recommended
outing for the entire family, budget at least half a day to take in
all the sights at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
(better known as MOSI).
Exterior of the Museum of Science and
Industry
Bridgewater Hall
Situated on an arm of the Bridgewater Canal, the world-class,
£42-million concert venue of Bridgewater Hall holds over 250
performances a year and is home to one of Britain's longest-running
orchestras, the Halle Orchestra. This architecturally-striking
building can house just under 2,500 audience members and the main
auditorium is centred round a remarkable 5,500-pipe organ. The Hall
plays host not only to classical music, but has also seen a range
of popular music artists such as the legendary James Brown, indie
artist Badly Drawn Boy, and guitarist John Williams. Bridgewater
Hall is also home to the award-winning Charles Halle restaurant, as
well as the Stalls Cafe Bar.
Bridgewater Hall
Alan Stanton
Chatsworth House
Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire,
Chatsworth House is one of Europe's greatest private houses. It is
set on the River Derwent in the Peak District National Park. The
estate comprises the 16th-century house, a 1,000-acre park, a
farmyard, miles of free walking trails, and spectacular gardens.
Dubbed the 'Palace of the Peak', the house contains a treasure
trove of antiques and impressive artworks. Thirty of the
magnificently preserved rooms are open to the public. Wardens are
on hand to provide information and answer questions, while an audio
guide is also available. The manicured gardens boast a yew maze,
sculptures and several impressive fountains including the Cascade,
a 24-step waterfall that drops 600ft (183m) down the hill towards
the house. There is a well-stocked farm shop selling locally
produced and homegrown items, as well as the Farmyard Children's
Shop, the Carriage House Shop, Orangery Shop, and Garden Shop.
There are several restaurant options to choose from, and picnicking
in the grounds is encouraged. The house also hosts several exciting
events throughout the year. It is well worth allocating several
hours to explore this fine historic estate and its gardens.
Chatsworth House
Rob Bendall
As with the rest of the United Kingdom, Manchester's temperate
oceanic climate is highly changeable and unpredictable. In general,
however, the weather in Manchester is mild, with sunny summers
(June to August) and cold, wet winters (December to February).
Snowfall is infrequent, but winter days can be frosty and clear.
High-pressure systems can sometimes cause very hot summer
temperatures or very cold winter temperatures, but these tend to
pass quickly. Average summer temperatures range from 50°F (10°C) to
69°F (21°C), while average winter temperatures range from 36°F (2°)
to 45°F (7°C). The average temperature in January is around 39°F
(4°C), while the average temperature in July is about 59°F
(15°C).
Manchester International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (17km) southwest of
Manchester city centre.
Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to last
Sunday in October).
Transfer Between Terminals:
The Skylink travellator system links Terminals 1 and 2, while 1
and 3 are linked by an external walkway.
Getting to the city:
There are regular trains between the airport and Manchester
Piccadilly railway station, which has connections to destinations
throughout the UK. Buses service Manchester city centre as well as
other local towns and cities. National Express operates coach
services to cities all over the UK. All buses, coaches and trains
leave from The Station, the airport's transport interchange that is
connected to all terminals by a covered walkway. Taxis are
available outside all terminals.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz,
National and Sixt.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside all terminals. Fares into Manchester
are determined by the meter, while other destinations may be
charged at a flat rate.
Facilities:
There are restaurants, shops and bars in all three terminals.
Other facilities include ATMs, bureaux de change, and left luggage.
Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should
inform their airline or travel agent in advance.
Parking
Short-term and long-term parking at Manchester International
Airport is available. It is a good idea to book parking in advance
via the airport's website in the peak summer season, as the car
park can be full.
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Manchester is an easy city to negotiate with a
substantial public transport system. The Metrolink Rapid Transit
system trams are fast and efficient, while the Metroshuttle City
Centre buses are free and run on two circular routes, including all
major rail stations, bus stops, and Metrolink stops. System One
Travelcards offer a variety of options for discounted, unlimited
use of public transport.
There are plenty of car hire companies and taxis
available and the Manchester Airport is only 15 minutes away from
the city centre. Manchester also has a system of cycling paths,
although these can be a bit risky and intimidating during heavy
traffic. Mobile app based taxi services like Uber are also commonly
used.
The city's facelift and subsequent urban revival have
invigorated it, ensuring there are always plenty of things to see
and do in Manchester. Manchester City and Manchester United are two
of the biggest football clubs in England, and Old Trafford (home to
Manchester United) has become a huge tourist destination. Apart
from epic football matches, the city also plays host to countless
events, concerts, festivals, and parades, is home to world-class
bars and restaurants, and has plenty of shops and markets.
Manchester is also home to the United Kingdom's
largest Chinatown, and a vibrant and friendly Gay Village,
concentrated around Canal and Chorlton Streets. Chinatown, centred
around George and Faulkner streets, provides a heady array of
sights, sounds, and smells, as does the 'Curry Mile' concentration
of sari shops, jewellery stores, and Indian restaurants in
Rusholme. For a truly modern experience, check out the slick Urbis
shopping centre.
For those more interested in arts and culture, the
Lowry complex in Salford Quays boasts a fantastic selection of art
galleries and theatres. There are many historical attractions in
Manchester as well: Manchester Cathedral and the town hall are both
examples of beautiful Gothic architecture, and the ruins at
Castlefield date back to the medieval period. For the best view of
the whole city, take a spin on the Manchester Wheel, located in the
Millennium Quarter.
Chatsworth Estate, Peak District,
Paul Collins
Old Trafford football ground
Wiki CC
Exterior of the Museum of Science and
Industry
Bridgewater Hall
Alan Stanton
Chatsworth House
Rob Bendall
