Visiting England? Use Manchester As Your Base
Millions of people visit England every year. Thanks to its culture, heritage, and history, it’s one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
But don’t be like the masses and go to London or Edinburgh. Instead, consider whether Manchester might be a better location.
Yes, it isn’t as well known. But for the seasoned traveler, it offers all sorts of unique benefits.
Cheaper Than London
Right off the bat, it’s way cheaper than London. A hotel in the UK capital usually costs several hundred pounds a night, whereas Hass Haus vacation lets and holiday rentals can be far lower in Manchester.
Furthermore, you don’t face the other high costs that you get in London. Being a global city, prices for everything are higher in the capital than elsewhere, including trips to amenities, restaurant meals, and more.
Manchester tends to be significantly cheaper. Public transport is relatively inexpensive and you can use it to get a long way, including to park and ride schemes on the outskirts.
Exceptional Culture
Manchester also has an exceptional culture. It’s the birthplace of all sorts of things, from Britpop to the Industrial Revolution.
For this reason, Manchester is often one of the first places travelers go when they want to experience “real Britain.” The city isn’t quite as dressed up as London, providing an insight into how the majority of people in the UK live. Often, it’s not what you expect.
There are also lots of places to visit. The John Rylands Library and Manchester Art Gallery are two excellent options for those visiting the city. Or you could spend a day at The Science and Industry museum, which mainly focuses on how the region became the productive center of the world and spread its technology globally over the following centuries.
Football Heaven
Of course, if you’re a fan of football, Manchester is yet another place you’ll want to go. It’s home to some of the biggest soccer teams in the world, including Manchester United and Man City.
If you want to learn about football, visit the National Football Museum. It has countless exhibits celebrating the sport and how it made Manchester the city it is today.
Easy Access To The Countryside
Another reason to stay in Manchester is the easy access to the British countryside. Just a few minutes on the bus as you’re already in rolling hills and wild land.
The Peak District is the closest national park, just forty minutes from the city center. Finding a peak and climbing it nearby can provide incredible views over the city.
The Yorkshire Dales are about 60 minutes away, and the Lake District, one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, is 90 minutes (instead of 6 hours from London).
Easy Access To England, Wales, And Scotland
Lastly, Manchester provides relatively easy access to England, Scotland and Wales. So, if you did want to go somewhere else outside of the city, you have easy access and then could return to your base.