The Magic of Manchester
The second great city in England, Manchester benefited from Industrial Revolution to grow at rapid rate and in the last century made colossal strides in business, culture, education and fine arts as well. It is now considered as the best place to start a business or industry and has immense potential for further growth.
From Victorian to contemporary architecture, Manchester buildings attract the attention of the visitors. There are red-brick buildings of great aesthetic value. Many of the old cotton mill areas, which brought fame to the city as the manufacturing capital of the world, are now being converted into residential apartments. Some of the buildings like Manchester Town Hall are considered as the finest specimens of Victorian buildings evoking admiration and emulation. In keeping with trends, the 60s and 70s saw a spate of skyscrapers being constructed. Adjacent to the Victoria Rail Station the tallest CSI Tower stands as a proud product of this trend. The Beethem Tower, completed just a few years back is a great tall-structure and contains Hilton Hotel, many restaurants and apartments. The Piccadilly Tower and the Green Building are some other notable constructions.
Though the city has more 135 parks dotted all around, the Heaton Park is a remarkable place of retreat and repose with over 600 acres of space. The city also has a number of monuments honouring Prince Albert, Bishop Fraser and John Bright. The Piccadilly Garden sports monuments of Duke of Wellington, Queen Victoria , Robert Peel and James Watt. In the Lincoln Square there is a fine statue of Abraham Lincoln!
In spite of stress on industry, production and commerce, Manchester has deeply committed to arts and cultures as well! Its Athenaeum has naturally the best to offer in terms of imparting knowledge and information in a very captivating way. Near the Oxford Road Station, you have the Cornerhouse, an imposing building offering many services art galleries, cafes, cinemas etc. It is a popular site for visitors and the local people. Cube Gallery, the Castlefield Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery and the Whiteworth Art Gallery which depicts the collection of its cloth production, are equally important art centres where one gathers great information on culture and civilisation. Manchester Museum and Urbis dedicated to city life are among the dozen great museums which command attention.
Manchester is renowned both for its patronage to Classical Music and pop songs. Halle Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra Philharmonic Orchestra belong to the first category giving delight to the lovers of classic music. Happy Mondays, James and Oasis belong to the second category enthralling the votaries of this type of music!
Manchester Central, Manchester Apollo, Manchester Academy are some places where elitist conferences are held. The business communities also use the conference halls and other facilities available in these centres.
From Airplanes to buses you have all transport facilities leading into and out of Manchester city. The bus service is wonderful with remarkable coverage of the entire city. Old waterways which were then the mass medium of transport are retained today for leisure travel. In fact it is often said that “except for a beach” Manchester has everything to offer.
Nightlife has its sold attractions in Manchester with more than 500 licenced pubs. Food restaurants offer great, qualtiy food of different varieties to cater to the needs of diverse customers.
There are plenty of hotels from star status to budget requirements. Almost all of them are committed to the comforts of the tourists and there will be suitable accommodation for individuals or small groups and big touring parties. Similarly apart from satisfactory local bus service, limos and automobile vehicles of different sizes are available for the convenience of the tourists.
A visit to Manchester will give great mental and physical relaxation and would be looked forward to again and again for its variety and diversity.