Overlooked outings in Manchester and beyond

Manchester may be most famous for football, pop music, shopping, great bars and eateries. All these things continue to draw thousands of visitors every year. But there’s far more to the city and its surrounding environs, and so many great days out and interesting experiences are easily overlooked. Here are just a few of the Manchester area’s best-kept secrets in terms of places to visit and experiences to enjoy.

 

John Ryland’s Library

 

This isn’t so much overlooked as the building in the city centre is impossible to ignore, but relatively few of Manchester’s tourists and even locals actually venture inside. John Ryland’s Library on Deansgate is a breathtaking example of neo-gothic architecture that resembles a horror movie set from the outside and a golden palace of wisdom from within. The rare books, prints and manuscripts kept there go back to medieval times and include an original Gutenberg Bible as well as authentic illuminated manuscripts.

 

It may sound like something of a dry day out, but it’s a rare soul that won’t be impressed by the scale of the building itself and the arts and crafts detailing of the interior. Bibliophiles meanwhile will struggle to tear themselves away from the vast archives. Spending time in the large cloistered reading room will make you feel transported to another time and place, far from the noise and distraction of the modern city.

 

Ice Hockey

 

Manchester may be known as a football city, but for many local sports fans, Sunday night is ice hockey night. The Ice Dome in Altrincham is home to Manchester Storm, one of the UK’s top ice hockey clubs, and a match is guaranteed to provide thrills and excitement for all the family. The season runs from September to April and matches start at roughly 5.30pm: check out Sportsbet.io ice hockey latest news updates before you go.

 

After the match you can even get on the ice yourself for a public skating session, as well as visiting the White Magic skating shop or enjoying some hot food and a refreshing drink.

 

Godlee Observatory

 

Godlee Observatory at the University of Manchester is a real hidden gem; something that’s not surprising when you consider that it’s one of the world’s smallest professional observatories and is constructed mainly from wood and papier-mache. The tiny, paper-covered observation dome holds an old-fashioned reflective telescope and is accessed from the octagonal main room via a spiral staircase that will make you feel like you’ve walked into an HG Wells steampunk fantasy. But while it may seem like a nineteenth century curio, the observatory played a vital role in the moon landings and is still used today. To book a visit, contact the Manchester Astronomical Society.

 

 

The Pioneers’ Museum

 

The Manchester area is home to a multitude of great museums and galleries, but one of the more overlooked examples can be found in the nearby town of Rochdale, where a group of workers and shopkeepers quietly made history in the nineteenth century. Rochdale Pioneers’ Museum celebrates and remembers one of the first co-ops: the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers’ Society, which created the Rochdale Principles, still seen as the basis for the rules and values of co-operative societies around the world to this day.

 

The museum can be found in the building on 31 Toad Lane. This is where the Pioneers opened their first shop, and it is lovingly recreated before you enter a more general museum dedicated to the co-operative movement as a whole. Upstairs is a gallery space with regularly changing exhibitions. This museum is well worth a visit for anyone interested in British history, social movements and progressive ideas.

 

The Irwell Sculpture Trail

 

Following the route of the River Irwell through Greater Manchester, the UK’s longest sculpture trail features over 70 works by local and international artists over 30 miles of at times beautiful scenery. You don’t have to do it all in one go, although the route is fully accessible by bicycle and this is a great way to explore. Starting at Salford Quays, the footpath takes you up into Rossendale and the Pennine Hills above Bacup and is spilt into several distinct sections. Highlights include New York artist Rita McBride’s Arena sculpture in Salford, the Whispering Wall in Rawtenstall, and the labyrinthine Coming Full Circle in Bacup.

 

Once you start digging, the number of attractions and places of interest around Manchester can seem endless. A big part of the fun is finding your own favourites. However quirky your tastes, there’s sure to be something in Manchester just for you.