Manchester

Manchester

Manchester is a city brimming with history and it’s been at the centre of innovation for decades – from building the first passenger railway station to the invention of the computer.

This is where Rolls met Royce, where Bob Dylan first plugged in his guitar and played electric and where the first public library was established.

Will your flight to Manchester result in something similarly seismic? Or will you just enjoy some of the best restaurants, nightlife venues and hotels in the UK? If you want to learn more about Manchester’s past, check out one of the many museums in the city.

The Museum of Science and Industry and the National Football Museum are highlights. If the weather’s nice, make like the locals and head for the hills – literally. Manchester is surrounded by the Pennines and the Peak District, so it’s perfect for walking, climbing, biking and hiking.

Just make sure you’re back in the evening, when Manchester’s brilliant music scene comes alive. Few cities can claim such a cool musical lineage – for a taste, check out the Salford Lads Club, where you can re-create The Smiths’ iconic Queen Is Dead album cover. You can see up-and-coming bands at vintage venues such as the Deaf Institute and the Apollo.

In recent years, Manchester has become just as famous for its food as for its music scene, with lots of new restaurants raising the bar and causing a stir. Spinningfields has become a foodie destination to rival the best of them. And the Christmas markets pull in visitors from across the world as soon as the first hint of festive chill sets in. Add to that chart-topping bands and you’ve got a city with serious heart and soul. As Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown once said: “Manchester has everything except a beach.”

Things to do in Manchester

■ Visit the National Football Museum
■ Visit People’s History Museum
■ Visit Manchester Art Gallery
■ Take a tram to Salford Quays
■ Get lost in the Northern Quarter
■ Celebrate Manchester’s musical heritage

Eat in Manchester

■ The French (British)
■ Sam’s Chop House (British)
■ Red Chilli (Chinese)
■ Manchester House (British)
■ Australasia (Asian fusion)
■ 63 Degrees (French)

Stay in Manchester

■ Velvet
■ The Lowry
■ Radisson Blu Edwardian
■ Hilton Manchester Deansgate
■ Great John Street
■ ABode Manchester

Scheduled Flights to Manchester (from Kuala Lumpur)

■ KLM (1 Stop)
■ Etihad Airways (1 Stop)
■ British Airways (1 Stop)