Idealist City Guide: MANCHESTER | Spencer Thorpe Bloghttps://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/159718787829/idealist-city-guide-manchester#_=_ Manchester is a former hub of the Industrial Revolution (and cradle of Trade Unionism and Marxism) that has become synonymous with music and media. Thanks to Afflecks Palace the Northern Quarter and a thriving student and music scene it is a great destination for design fans and culture. An inordinate number the worlds best loved indie bands have started out here: The Smiths Joy Division New Order The Stone Roses Oasis. While the hip Northern Quarter neighbourhood is still filled with concert venues it also offers tons of trendy bars restaurants and places to shop for industrial design relics and reinterpretations. Todays Manchester is a cultural centre with a working class heart. Shopping Manchester Insitu Manchester 252 Chester Road is an architectural salvage showroom that carries everything from stained glass to reclaimed timber and iron fittings. Now based just on the outskirts of Manchesters trendy Castlefield in a Grade 2 listed Victorian pub building it is an exciting venue to find high quality and interesting pieces to create unique homes and express individual style. Designers will love sourcing original classic design elements here; everyone else can learn a thing or two about how things were once made to look good and last. Levenshulme Antiques Village 965 Stockport Road Levenshulme in Manchesters Victorian Old Town Hall is a hypermarket for vintage furniture and collectibles. In addition to providing space for vendors 7 days a week the market keeps the past alive with workshops in traditional services ranging from re-upholstery bespoke furniture makers antique chandeliers and fireplace restoration ironmongers stripping and restoration. Urbansuite 2 New George Street could be a relief from all the industrial era clutter with its clean lined collection of European furniture from the likes of Vitra Tonin Casa and Lightyears. Manchester Craft and Design Centre 17 Oak Street located in a former Victorian fishmarket building inthe Norther Quarter houses studios and workshops for artisans in ceramics fine jewellery printmaking furniture making and more. We love the steam-bent ash coat hooks by Joshua Till. Afflecks(52 Church Street) is something of an institution. They describe themselves as an emporium of eclecticism a totem of indie commerce in Manchesters Northern Quarter and above all else a fantastic place to shop. Its been home to all things indie since before The Smiths were formed and is something of a Mecca for fans of the more miserable northern indie for which the wet streets of Manchester is famous. Staying Over Hotel Gotham Manchester Hotel Gotham 100 King Street is an opulent 5-star design conscious option with 60 gorgeously appointed rooms in monochromatic shades of grey black and white. The hotel housed in a former Edward Lutyens-designed Art Deco bank often partners with nearby Manchester Arena on concert and stay packages. Abel Heywood Abel Heywood 38 Turner Street is a Northern Quarter pub hotel (its operated by the local brewery Hyde) with luxury amenities and old world charm. Its small just 15 rooms and situated perfectly for exploring the bustling NQ district. Or just visit the relaxed lounges for exalted pub grub and brews. Manchesters Galleries and Museums The Whitworth Art Gallery The Whitworth Art Gallery The University of Manchester Oxford Road is located in a stunning building in Whitworth Park hard by the University of Manchester. The Gallery has a wide ranging collection of contemporary and more historic paintings sculpture textiles and prints. A well regarded cafe (designed by MUMA) overlooks the park and has a seasonal largely organic menu for lunch and afternoon tea. As youd expect The Peoples History Museum Left Bank Spinningfields is dedicated to the history of working people in the UK. Although not an art museum per se areas such as the Textile Conservation Studio are of special interest from a design perspective. Here banners used in protests and rallies by British workers and activists through the ages are preserved and studied; visitors can watch the conservators at work. And theres a onsite shop where you can stock up on radical gifts such as a suffragette board game or protest banner cross-stitch kits. Where to Eat Manchester House Grab a pint at The Temple 100 Great Bridgewater Street a re-purposed public toilet just off St. Peters Square in city centre. Theres no kitchen so perhaps start or end your night at this off beat music industry favourite. Manchester House 18-22 Bridge Street is the passion project of Michelin starred chef Aiden Byrne. And while tasting menus here dont come cheap foodies will think theyve died and gone to heaven. Also worth checking out is the lounge for sunset cocktails with views across the city scape or afternoon high tea. Cottonopolis 16 Newton Street is owned and designed by architect Nick Muir. The stylish interior references Manchesters industrial past with lots of copper and distressed wood while the kitchen channels Japanese cuisine with fusion dishes based on the elements of ice fire steam and oil. Must see Manchester A popular tourist attraction The Lowry(Pier 8 The Quays Salford) is a performing arts venue on the waterfront near Salford Quay (across the water from Old Trafford home of the Manchester United footballclub). The building is a spectacular monument to art all glass and shiny metal. Take in a play or an art exhibit or just gaze at the Ship Canal and the lights of the city from the Pier 8 bar and restaurant it has magnificent views. Football fans will want to check out the free National Football Museum Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens perhaps in conjunction with a home game for local heroes Man U and Man City. One of the worlds largest collections of football artefacts and memorabilia is on display and you can test your own skills with the interactive Football. How to get there Regular flights leave daily from all London area airports but Manchester is close enough to take a fast train. Direct trains run from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly every 20 minutes with an average journey time of around 2 hours and 10 minutes. You may also like Industrial Chic Our Top 10 Finds Shopping in Chester: A northern gem ShoppingLiverpool CourtesyAfflecks Palace mural courtesy ofWe love pandas. All other images courtesy of respective stores. 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