Manchester Holiday
Manchester has emerged from its industrial past to become a fun-packed northern English hub of football, frolics and first-class culture.
Traditions and culture in Manchester
Manchester is credited with starting the Industrial Revolution, with textile manufacture and cotton spinning particularly prevalent in south Lancashire and north Cheshire.
Music has played a huge role in its emergence over the past 30 years, with the city being widely accredited for sparking the 80s 'Madchester' scene with indie bands such as the Happy Mondays, the Stone Roses and the Charlatans coming to the fore.
The scene, which was based around the Hacienda nightclub, also formed the basis of the remarkable rise in the city's nightlife, which is now among the most buzzing in the country.
Other notable acts such as the Smiths, Joy Division, New Order, Oasis and the Doves are all a testament to Manchester's rich musical prowess.
Things to do in Manchester
The city plays host to a wide range of theatres and some impressive art collections for the traveller who may be used to a more cultural holiday.
Lovers of history and machinery will be delighted to find that the legacy of the Industrial Revolution is still very much in place, with plenty of museums paying homage.
In addition, it would only be fair for any holiday guide of Manchester to point out the fact that the shopping is extensive and that there are fine dining opportunities aplenty.
Many of the locals are obsessed with the two major football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United, while other activities such as mountain biking, boating and hiking are also popular.
There a number of festivals and celebrations to take in - many of which focus on the city's large gay and lesbian population - while the family-orientated Manchester Show takes place in July.
Cheap flights to Manchester are generally in good supply, while the range of accommodation means that good value Manchester hotels should be relatively easy to come by.
Weather in Manchester
Manchester has a temperate maritime climate, with relatively cool summers and reasonably mild winters - although the threat of rain is never far away.
Having said that, the climate is noticeably changeable and very hot summer days and freezing winter evenings are not uncommon.
The average temperature in July is 15C, while the average temperature in January is 4C.
Destination checklist for Manchester
Manchester (city) has a population of 458,100.
The city is on GMT/BST time.
The official currency is the pound.
English is the official language spoken.
Manchester's international dialling code is +44.
