{"id":35379,"date":"2023-01-10T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T12:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/?p=35379"},"modified":"2024-08-01T14:48:21","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T13:48:21","slug":"manchesters-hidden-gems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/destination-guides\/manchester\/manchesters-hidden-gems\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester\u2019s Hidden Gems: 5 underrated attractions in the city"},"content":{"rendered":"

Planning a trip up north? Manchester has long been dubbed the \u201cNew London\u201d with impressive skyscrapers, multiple shopping centres, and Instagram-worthy eateries.<\/h2>\n

But there\u2019s more to this friendly city than first meets the eye. In this blog, we\u2019ll share 5 of Manchester\u2019s hidden gems to help you create an unforgettable trip!<\/h2>\n
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The Oldest Library in the UK: Chetham’s Library<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

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Editorial credit: Kelly Whittlesey \/ Shutterstock.com<\/h4>\n

For over 350 years, Mancunians have had the privilege of visiting Cheltham\u2019s Library to pick up a new book or two. But it\u2019s not just the prospect of scoping out new reading material that makes this one of Manchester\u2019s most spectacular hidden gems. The sandstone building dates back to 1421, when it was used by the priests of Manchester\u2019s Collegiate Church. Every inch is riddled with rich history, from the ancient arches to the eye-catching ceiling beams and the mahogany bookshelves. It\u2019s such an incredible piece of history that the library was officially accredited as a museum. You can even relish a guided tour while you\u2019re there. For bookworms, history lovers, and intrigued tourists alike, a visit to Chetham\u2019s Library is a must.<\/h4>\n

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Ancoats Peeps Art Exhibition<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

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Located in the north-west of Manchester city centre is the vibrant neighbourhood of Ancoats. Formerly a textile district, it\u2019s home to the Ancoats Peeps, an intriguing series of peepholes encased in the walls of many buildings. Inside, you can spot various pieces of machinery, hidden rooms, and other objects that provide a glimpse into Manchester\u2019s industrial history. However, it\u2019s not clear how many peeps there are, or exactly where they can be found. It\u2019s up to you to scope them out for yourself, as you piece together the story behind this fascinating attraction.<\/h4>\n

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Manchester’s Northern Quarter<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

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Editorial credit: Alastair Wallace \/ Shutterstock.com<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re a lover of street art, one-off shops, quirky restaurants, and bustling live music venues, Manchester\u2019s Northern Quarter will be right up your street. This lively neighbourhood was established in the 90s to shed light on some of the city\u2019s most incredible independent business owners. Why not take a trip to Afflecks to relish a multi-story shopping experience? Here you\u2019ll find plenty of traders boasting vintage finds, one-of-a-kind jewellery, and even tattoo studios. Or head to Port Street Beer House for a drink, followed by a stop at Matt and Phred\u2019s for an evening of relaxing jazz music. Whatever you like to do, you\u2019ll find something to pique your interest in Manchester\u2019s Northern Quarter.<\/h4>\n

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Vimto Monument<\/h3>\n

Editorial credit: Richard Oldroyd \/ Shutterstock.com<\/h4>\n

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For over a century, Brits have indulged in the distinct taste of Vimto, a drink invented by an enthusiastic herbalist living in Manchester. \u201cA Monument to Vimto\u201d is a wooden sculpture in The Vimto Park crafted to pay homage to such a well-loved beverage. At the base, you\u2019ll find oversized fruits depicting the contents of the drink \u2013 a perfect opportunity to take a pew and snap a photo! Consider the Vimto monument an unusual yet intriguing must-see attraction when in the city of Manchester.<\/h4>\n

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The Washhouse Cocktail Bar<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

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Fancy a night on the town? Perhaps you need a well-earned rest after perusing endless shops lining the vibrant streets of the city. A trip to the reservation-only Washhouse Cocktail Bar in Shudehill is perfect for kicking back with a mouthwatering tipple. But you\u2019d better get your camera at the ready \u2013 this is a cocktail bar unlike any other. From the offset, expect mystery and excitement as you enter what appears to be a laundrette facility. You\u2019ll need to follow a series of steps (first clue: visit their website) before making it through the secret door to enter the speakeasy. Once inside, you can order an array of cocktails, from the weird and wonderful to old-school classics. But shhh\u2026 don\u2019t tell anyone you\u2019ve been \u2013 after all, the bar doesn\u2019t actually exist!<\/h4>\n

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Search deals<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Planning a trip up north? Manchester has long been dubbed the \u201cNew London\u201d with impressive skyscrapers, multiple shopping centres, and Instagram-worthy eateries. But there\u2019s more to this friendly city than first meets the eye. In this blog, we\u2019ll share 5 of Manchester\u2019s hidden gems to help you create an unforgettable trip! The Oldest Library in […]","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":35406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1212],"tags":[1819],"class_list":["post-35379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-manchester","tag-hidden-gems"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35379\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}