Wednesday 25-08-2021 - 13:47

 

Starting university can be really exciting, however after a while you may find yourself looking for new things to do with the friends you have made. Not all students will be fortunate enough to have access to a car, so we have made a list of things to do in and around Manchester if you are someone who relies on public transport (see transport options in Manchester).

 

1. Great Northern activities

The Great Northern complex based in Deansgate has plenty of activities to entertain you and your friends for the day, and is in walking distance from MMU campus. They also host different festivals and pop up seasons bars/events throughout the year. Within this complex they have:

• Multiple bars, cafes and restaurants
• Odeon multiplex
• Lane 7 – bowling, beer pong, ping pong, snooker, etc
• Whistle Punks – axe throwing
• 24/7 Casino

 

2. Trafford Centre

The largest shopping mall in the North is located just outside of Manchester. The Trafford Centre  has themed zones based on various architecture around the world and is a spectacle within itself, as well as home to lots of designer and high-street stores. As well as this, they have a large food court with many fast food and sit down restaurant options (and even a Wetherspoons themed like New Orleans’ French Quarter), a cinema, laser-quest, SeaLife centre, exhibitions, a videogame arcade centre and more.

It’s open from 10am-10pm and accessible via bus and tram.

 

3. Explore the suburbs

 

Didsbury:

Like a lot of towns and villages in Cheshire, Didsbury is very picturesque. There are lots of independent shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants to visit. Fletcher Moss Park is a great place for walks or picnics. You can get the bus, tram or train to Didsbury.

Salford Quays:

Accessible via tram from the city centre Salford Quays is a pretty location to check out with your mates here in Manchester. Home to TV giants BBC and ITV, it’s fun to see where a lot of British TV is created and filmed – you could even do the Coronation Street tour.

 

Walking around the Quays there are various bars and restaurants with fab views of the water; you can also visit the Imperial War Museum, The Lowry Shopping Centre (home to a few fun experiences including the new I’m a Celeb challenge) and can even book to do open water swimming in The Quays.

 

4. Liverpool

Liverpool can be accessed through all our train stations in Manchester and is usually less than an hour’s journey. It’s a great way to get away for the day and explore a different city. Home to the Beatles and a lot of our country’s history there are lots of museums to visit. They have water activities on the locks, lots of restaurants, bars and shops, and entertainment venues, all walkable.

 

5. Chester Zoo

Going to the zoo is always a cute day out for people of all ages and Chester Zoo is the closest to Manchester. With student tickets you can go via a train to Chester and then a bus to the zoo.

We recommend going on a week day to avoid the crowds.

 

6. Blackpool

Blackpool is another nearby city to visit for the day that you can travel to from any train station in Manchester. Whether you want a day out at the beach, to see their historical seaside pier and to try a piece of rock or to spend the day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach – you are guaranteed a good time.

 

7. Peak District

For a different environment away from city life we recommend visiting the Peak District for the day. According to the Peak District National Park website there are several lines that can be accessed via train from Manchester:

• Hope Valley Line (Northern Rail) - with stations at Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale
• Manchester to Glossop line (Northern Rail) - Glossop has the Dark Peak moorlands grandeur of Bleaklow and Kinder Scout nearby; from Padfield station people can set off on the Longdendale Trail
• Manchester to Buxton line (Northern Rail) - From Buxton regular bus services will take you to villages and dales in the White Peak, or to explore the varied scenery of the Staffordshire Moorlands
• Manchester to Huddersfield line (TransPennine Express) - Greenfield and Marsden for access to Dove Stones and the Wessenden Moors.