Summary
At the core of this extensive urban area in northwest England is a city cherished for its industrial advancements, cultural richness, and vibrant atmosphere.
Experience Manchester for its vibrant live music scene, diverse restaurants, and impressive museums; thereafter, explore the towns and cities that emerged rapidly in the 1700s.
The canals that once transported coal, cotton, and textiles have transformed into peaceful locales for leisurely strolls and canal boat trips, and you will find no shortage of grand historic mills, warehouses, and docks, many of which are safeguarded under heritage regulations.
Traveling east, one arrives at the moorlands of the South Pennines and the Peak District, whereas to the south of Manchester lie attractive villages where affluent professionals retreat after their workday and on weekends.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Greater Manchester:
1. City of Manchester
As cosmopolitan as they come, Manchester ranks second only to London in terms of cultural offerings.
For dining, consider visiting Chinatown or the Curry Mile. Should you seek educational enrichment, the world-renowned Museum of Science and Industry pays tribute to the city’s industrial past, alongside the extensive Manchester Art Gallery.
This city serves as a destination for admirers of English popular culture, captivated by narratives surrounding Factory Records, the Hacienda, and the “Madchester” movement.
If you’re keen to observe the local music scene, you will discover an array of small live music venues, which earned Manchester the accolade of the best live music city in Britain in 2016.
2. Stockport
Located seven miles southeast of central Manchester, Stockport evolved around its cotton mills and associated trades that flourished in the 1700s.
Hat-making was the predominant industry, and the Hat Works museum immerses you in the 1800s when Stockport produced six million hats annually.
The Plaza in Stockport defies the trend of declining art deco cinemas, boasting a stunning variety hall and theater from 1932, complete with elegant tea rooms.
Also noteworthy is the Stockport Viaduct, engineered to support the West Coast Main Line Railway across the Mersey River valley. Over 150 years since its completion, this structure remains an awe-inspiring testament to engineering.
3. Trafford
For cricket enthusiasts, Old Trafford is the venue where Lancashire and England compete, famously known for Shane Warne’s iconic “Ball of the Century” that bowled out Mike Gatting in 1993. In close proximity lies the home stadium of Manchester United, accommodating 75,635 spectators.
Visitors can tour the stands and trophy room of this prominent English football team.
Trafford Park, recognized as the first waterfront industrial estate globally, incorporates the Manchester Ship Canal and an extensive network of docks.
Though container ships are a relic of the past, the area now features attractions such as the contemporary Imperial War Museum North, focusing on World War II.
4. Salford
This town, located directly west of central Manchester, has witnessed significant rejuvenation over the past few decades.
Nowhere is this more evident than Salford Quays, situated across the water from Trafford Park.
This area has become home to the innovative Lowry cultural center, as well as various BBC departments located at MediaCityUK, which has been operational since 2011. For a glimpse of local history, visit Ordsall Hall, an impressive Tudor estate dating back to the 1400s, alongside a newly-renovated local history museum managed by Salford.
To showcase the swift transition from urban environment to scenic countryside, enjoy a stroll in the village of Worsley, where the picturesque view of the Worsley Packet House adjacent to the Bridgewater Canal is truly stunning.
5. Bolton
Textile production has been a cottage industry in Bolton since medieval times, introduced by Flemish tapestry weavers in the 1300s.
However, it was in the 18th century that Bolton became a major textile center, driven by the innovations of figures such as Samuel Crompton and Richard Arkwright, who were active in the region during this era.
Thus, the industrial heritage contributes to Bolton’s uniqueness, with several Victorian factories transformed into engaging attractions like the remarkable Bolton Steam Museum.
Evidence of Bolton’s pre-industrial heritage can be found at the gothic Grade I-listed Smithills Hall, one of the region’s oldest manors dating back to the 1300s and 1400s.
Be sure to visit Ye Olde Man & Scythe, one of the ten oldest pubs in Britain, for a pint.
6. Rochdale
The Victorian Town Hall in Rochdale is no ordinary municipal building; it is a prestigious gothic revival structure with Grade I listing, recognized as one of England’s most esteemed town halls.
Consider dropping by for a tour to admire the stained glass windows, landscaped gardens, and the impressive Great Hall, which houses an organ.
A café is available on-site, and the Town Hall hosts community events such as Rochdale’s beer and gin festivals.
The surrounding countryside is interspersed with enchanting remnants of local industry; you can cycle along the 19th-century Healey Dell Viaduct, previously used by trains, or leisurely walk along the Rochdale Canal, where historical barges navigate and anglers relax by the towpath on pleasant days.
7. Bury
It is a rarity to find a bustling local food market in England, yet the one in Bury is exceptional, operating from Monday to Saturday and supporting approximately 2,000 traders across 400 stalls.
Bury is also celebrated as the “home of black pudding,” a staple of the local diet for centuries.
Every September, the town organizes an amusing pudding-throwing contest in Ramsbottom, where black pudding (a local delicacy) is thrown to knock over Yorkshire puddings, commemorating the War of the Roses.
Another delightful surprise is the Met, a performing arts center housed within a neoclassical hall, featuring film screenings, concerts, and stand-up comedy performances.
8. Wigan
A quintessential representation of English industrial heritage, Wigan Pier is situated along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Historically, coal and cotton were loaded onto barges from this wharf and transported to the docks at Liverpool.
It remains an atmospheric locale, featuring cobblestone paths and a few brick industrial structures.
The Trencherfield Mill, now repurposed as residences, still houses an enormous operational steam engine dating back to 1907, which visitors can observe on Sundays.
Wigan Pier was famously depicted by George Orwell in *The Road to Wigan Pier*, as he conducted his research at the Wigan Library, which now serves as the Museum of Wigan Life.
9. Oldham
One could view Oldham as a quintessential success story of the Industrial Revolution; prior to the 1700s, the area featured unproductive soil unsuitable for agriculture, yet within a few decades at the dawn of the 19th century, Oldham emerged as a global textile leader, with mills operating around the clock.
The Saddleworth Museum, situated in a converted textile mill dating back to 1862, offers a comprehensive overview of the local history, showcasing historical power looms and the parlor of an affluent Victorian family.
The old mill sits along the Huddersfield Canal, which meanders through the picturesque Pennine landscapes to the east of Oldham.
10. Greenfield
As you approach the eastern boundary of the county, the terrain begins to rise as you enter the moorland of the South Pennines.
The village of Greenfield serves as a practical gateway to the robust landscapes at the entrance of the Peak District National Park.
Several excursions may be planned from this location: Just a short distance from the village is Dovestone Reservoir, bordered by wooded slopes, which is popular with joggers and dog-walkers.
If you aim to enhance your appetite, the 370-meter Pots and Pans hill, located above Greenfield, offers a Grade II-listed memorial commemorating the Great War at its summit.
11. Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne was another area that lacked significant development prior to the surge of industrial activity in the 18th century.
In a remarkably short timeframe, the skyline became characterized by numerous chimney stacks associated with weaving and spinning mills, and Ashton-under-Lyne was integrated into the region’s advanced canal and railway networks.
The Portland Basin Museum is located within the restored Victorian Ashton Canal Warehouse.
This museum provides an insightful glimpse into life during the industry’s zenith, featuring recreations of a 1920s street and opportunities to experience life inside one of the local coal mines.
12. Marple
The charming village of Marple is set in a picturesque area of the county, just a short distance from Derbyshire.
The topography consists of hilly moors and forested valleys, interspersed with intriguing industrial structures.
The Peak Forest Canal, now frequented by vacationing families on barges, is celebrated for its historic lock system, made up of 16 locks, as well as the Marple Aqueduct, where the canal crosses the River Goyt.
Due to its luxurious ambiance, Marple hosts three golf clubs and the Roman Lakes, a natural leisure park ideal for fishing, cycling, and easy walks.
13. Altrincham
As a somewhat affluent town catering to professionals commuting to Manchester, Altrincham is home to at least ten conservation districts.
One such area is the Old Market Place, showcasing a series of striking wattle and daub structures, while the town stocks and whipping post at the Buttermarket have undergone restoration (they are no longer utilized!). For a stately experience, consider visiting Dunham Massey Hall, a Georgian estate built in 1730 nestled within magnificent surroundings.
This 300-acre deer park was formerly a hunting reserve in the medieval era and features over 700 species of plants.
Tatton Hall is another property managed by the National Trust, featuring exquisite Italian gardens and a farm where children can interact with pigs, cows, and sheep.
14. Leigh
Situated in the far west of Greater Manchester and previously part of Lancashire, Leigh displays many characteristics typical of a cotton-weaving industrial town.
The town center features an organized grid layout of Victorian and Edwardian workers’ cottages, complete with evocative names like Silk Street, Union Street, and Gas Street.
The Bridgewater Canal flows through Leigh to the south, accompanied by impressive red brick cotton mills constructed in the 1800s.
As these buildings are listed, their preservation from demolition is ensured.
15. Sale
Sale is a pleasant residential area that has operated as a commuter town since the arrival of the railways in the mid-19th century.
Should you have a chance, consider enjoying a pub lunch or taking a leisurely stroll.
One notable attraction is Walkden Gardens, which is situated near the site of Sale’s original medieval manor.
While Sale Old Hall was demolished in the 1920s, its grounds host a 400-year-old dovecote that once served the manor.
The scenic Bridgewater Canal serves as an ideal space for wandering, leading you south towards Altrincham or north to Stretford a couple of miles away.
