Manchester, the gateway to the North: a 7 night itinerary

Morning

After arriving in Manchester, head out on foot with one of the city’s many walking tours. It’s the easiest way to uncover hidden gems and take in some of Manchester’s top attractions. Make time for John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral, where neo-gothic architecture brings the city’s history to life. You might even feel like you’ve wandered onto a film set, as The Darkest Hour and Anatomy of a Scandal were both filmed at John Rylands Library.

Lunch

Once you’ve got your bearings, hop onboard the Afternoon Tea Taxi Tour. Spend the afternoon discovering the very best of Manchester from the comfort of an all-electric black cab, with a completely bespoke tour and a delicious home-made afternoon tea. Prefer to stay put? Mackie Mayor has plenty to tempt you. It's a cool food hall filled with artisan food traders, set inside a former Victorian market.

Afternoon

Manchester is known throughout the world for soccer. Are you red or blue? Go behind the scenes at your favourite club, or explore the social history of football at the National Football Museum. For the most immersive Premier League soccer experience, the Manchester City Football Club Stadium Tour uses the latest technology to bring the story to life. You’ll explore the players’ dressing room, then head to the press room to interact with Pep Guardiola.

Dinner

Head back to your hotel to relax and freshen up, then step out for dinner at one of the city’s most popular dining spots. Set in the iconic Free Trade Hall, Peter Street Kitchen captures the building’s former glory, with exquisitely presented, beautifully balanced dishes. The menu explores French-Mediterranean cooking, complemented by a curated selection of Japanese signature dishes. Or try Higher Ground, a British Bistro championing seasonal ingredients, with menus and dishes changed on a daily basis. An unforgettable experience.

Evening

Experience Manchester’s legendary music scene, from intimate clubs to world-class arenas. Co-op Live and AO Arena host some of the biggest names in live entertainment. For something closer to the stage, Band on the Wall has been at the heart of Manchester culture for years, showcasing some of the best music in the world.

Morning

Step out of the city centre and explore the wider region of Greater Manchester. Hop aboard a heritage steam train at the East Lancashire Railway, rolling through beautiful countryside and quirky villages. You can also book a themed experience, from luxury dining to comedy shows. Back on the water at Salford Quays, explore Lowry, where three stunning theatres sit alongside galleries showcasing artists of local to international renown.

Lunch

Head back to the city centre to refuel at one of Manchester’s great lunch spots. Pollen Bakery, often named among the best bakeries in the UK, is the place for sweet pastries, and (undoubtedly) the best bread in the city, expect queues out the door. For something more hearty, Shoryu Ramen is the go-to spot for Hakata Tonkotsu ramen (Japanese noodles).

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon on one of the city’s best drinking tours or experiences. Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester to visit microbreweries and craft beer houses, or opt for Manchester Wine Tours, where expert hosts guide you through some of the city’s best spots while you sample delicious beer or wine along the way.
If rum is more your thing, Salford Rum Distillery offers fun rum tours and tastings, where you’ll learn how they make their rum while enjoying expertly mixed cocktails.

Dinner

Discover the art of cooking at Manchester’s hands-on cookery school, Food Sorcery, where you can master new skills and explore global cuisines. Or let the food come to you at Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, blending South American tradition with modern sophistication. The Churrasco Experience elevates Brazilian steakhouse cuisine with premium grilled meats, carved the rodizio way.

Evening

Don’t let the fun end there. Test your skills at some of Manchester’s favourite interactive gaming spots. Black Cat Club features six dart game modes and the first interactive shuffleboard in the city, the ideal combination of eat, drink and play. Immersive Gamebox offers a world of high-tech gaming and fun-packed adventure for everyone.

Morning

You won’t want to miss Manchester’s Northern Quarter. As the city’s creative neighbourhood, this cool hangout is packed with independent retailers spanning vintage fashion, music, art and plenty more. It also happens to make a perfect filming location for countless films and TV shows.

The Locationist Film and TV walking tour takes you to iconic locations from blockbuster favourites such as Captain America, and hit shows like The Crown and Peaky Blinders, bringing behind-the-scenes stories to life. 

And then there’s Afflecks, a true Northern Quarter icon. It’s a vibrant, eclectic labyrinth, packed with independent traders who put their heart and soul into what they do. Not to be missed.

Lunch

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, book yourself onto one of Manchester’s brilliant food tours. Try Scranchester Food Tour or Flavours of Manchester, because why stop at one when you can sample a few. 

With a local guide leading the way, these immersive, multi-stop tours take you across the city, serving up edible insights into food history and culture, and showing exactly why Manchester’s food and drink scene is booming. Come hungry.

Afternoon

Take in a little art and culture. Chetham’s Library, in the heart of Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world.
Then bring things right up to date at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International. This cultural hub hosts immersive theatre, exhibitions and large-scale multimedia performances. With world-class artists and groundbreaking events, it’s made for creativity, innovation and unforgettable experiences.

Dinner

Keep exploring the city’s food scene. El Gato Negro Tapas serves modern and traditional Spanish flavours, with dishes perfectly paired with its speciality range of Spanish wines and sherries. Then head to Lucky Cat for Asian-inspired small plates, Robata grilled dishes, sushi and sashimi. As one of Gordon Ramsey’s restaurants, expect exceptional dishes, plus an unforgettable selection of cocktails and wines served from its Tokyo-inspired bar.

Evening

Find the theatrical heartbeat of Manchester, from classic productions and Broadway hits at the Palace Theatre and Opera House, to thought provoking new works and world-premiere shows at HOME and Royal Exchange Theatre. Plenty to choose from. For pre-theatre drinks, try 20 Stories or Cloud 23, two rooftop bars where you can catch the sun setting across the city skyline.

Morning

It’s time to depart Manchester and travel across to North Wales. Easily accessible by rail, head to Wrexham, the home of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.

Start your journey at Tŷ Pawb, a multi-award-winning cultural and community resource. Their programme features contemporary, welcoming and inclusive exhibitions, plus live performances. And don’t miss the chance to get your photo outside the famous STõK Cae Ras, home of Wrexham AFC.

Lunch

For a drink or light bite, head to The Fat Boar, a modern, independent restaurant in the heart of town. They use the finest local Welsh produce, keeping the menu fresh with the best of the season’s flavours. For a more relaxed stop, The Lemon Tree serves AA Rosette food, from breakfast to afternoon tea and sharing deli boards, making it a perfect choice for lunch.

Afternoon

Take in North Wales’s beautiful architecture and scenery at one of the region’s historic sites. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the longest and highest aquaduct in Great Britain, is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Get involved with a kayak or canoe tour along the water, or for something more leisurely, jump onboard a horse-drawn boat trip. If you love Downton Abbey, pay a visit to Erddig Hall & Garden, where you can explore this much-loved home and estate, filled with the stories of a family and their servants.

Dinner

Enjoy culinary excellence at one of North Wales’ fine dining restaurants. For superb cuisine and a strong reputation to match, head to AA Rosette restaurant The Hand at Llanarmon. Or dine in style at iâl Restaurant, serving contemporary, locally-sourced cuisine.

Morning

In Northwest Wales, if you love outdoor activities and want to feel the adrenaline course through your body, head to the world’s fastest zip line at ZipWorld. Located just a stone’s throw from Conwy and Llandudno, you can pair this with karting adventures and quarry truck tours.

For water-based activities, RibRide Adventure Boat Tours offer an exhilarating journey along the Menai Strait. Or take on a white-water rafting adventure on the River Tryweryn, within the Welsh hills of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park).

Lunch

You can’t come to Great Britain and not try fish and chips. Enochs Fish and Chips are award-winning and recognised as a local landmark in North Wales. Be sure to try their twice-fried, thick-cut chips and sustainably sourced fish on your visit.

Afternoon

With over 600 castles, Conwy Castle is a must-visit. Renowned as a masterpiece of late 13th century military architecture, it still utterly dominates the town, which has one of the finest sets of town walls in Europe.
Or visit Caernarfon Castle, where hit TV show The Crown was filmed.

Wales wouldn’t be complete without visiting the longest place name in Britain. Originally invented in the 1860s as a publicity stunt to attract tourists, it still works today, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (AKA Llanfair PG) means ‘St Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio of the red cave’. Mandatory selfie stop.

Dinner

Time to stop and refuel. Check out Bryn Williams’ Bistro. Or, see a different side to Aber Falls at their distillery. With a guided tour, you’ll learn how traditional techniques meet modern innovation, producing premium spirits using water from Aber Falls waterfall. The menu is full of Welsh produce, with seafood taking centre stage.

You could also cosy up at the Quay Hotel and Spa, with a choice of dining options - including the Grill Room with breathtaking views, or The Lounge Bar and Terrace for a relaxed and informal setting to enjoy alfresco dining.

It’s time to head back across to England for a countryside escape in the Peak District. Discover this national park through the lens of Jane Austen, stepping into landscapes that inspired Pride & Prejudice, exploring iconic filming locations, and uncovering its enduring charm. From elegant stately homes and historic spa towns to characterful villages, the Peak District offers a timeless blend of culture, scenery and storybook romance.

Morning

Visit the magnificent Chatsworth House, the home of Mr Darcy in Price and Prejudice. As one of England’s finest stately homes, passed down through 16 generations, it offers 30 rooms to explore, celebrated gardens and over 100 acres of rolling parkland to roam.

From there, head into the pretty market town of Bakewell. Explore enchanting streets lined with historic buildings, hidden courtyards of independent shops and cafes, and stroll along the River Wye.

Lunch

Bakewell is best known for its unique and delicious Bakewell Pudding, first created by accident in the 1800s. Visit their dedicated shop, sample the famous pudding and discover its fascinating history on a hands-on Bakewell Pudding Making Experience.

Afternoon

Discover England’s ‘best-preserved medieval manor house’ at Haddon Hall. Enjoy a specialist film tour and uncover 900 years of history, which saw Jane Eyre, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Princess Bride, Mary Queen of Scots and much more being filmed here. It is one of the oldest houses in England and one of the only houses in the country to have remained in one family’s ownership for its entire existence.

Evening

Unwind at The Cavendish Hotel, boasting contemporary elegance with classic country house charm, much of the interior is inspired by Chatsworth, featuring bespoke furnishing, artwork, and décor, creating a luxurious and authentic atmosphere. Tuck into local produce and fine dining.

Morning

Take on a spectacular walk along Stanage Edge, visiting the rock made famous by Keira Knightley in Pride & Prejudice. With far-reaching views across the Hope and Derwent Valleys, routes range from short walks to longer ridge hikes.

Lunch

Enjoy a cosy country pub lunch in the charming Hathersage Village. Choose from The George, a historic 500-year-old coaching inn, once frequented by Charlotte Brontë. Or The Scotsman’s Pack, a traditional country pub serving hearty homemade food.

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon unwinding in the idyllic town of Buxton, one of England’s most historic spa towns. Renowned for its natural thermal springs since Roman times, Buxton rose to prominence in the Georgian era when the Duke of Devonshire transformed it into a fashionable destination for health, society and leisure. Today, its elegant architecture and cultural landmarks still reflect that rich past.

Visit Buxton Crescent Heritage Experience for immersive exhibits, a virtual reality flight over historic Buxton, and the chance to bottle Buxton’s famous spring water straight from the source. Later, settle in for afternoon tea at No.6 The Square, a classic tearoom overlooking Buxton Opera House, an elegant centrepiece in a town known for its eye-catching architecture.

Evening

Settle into Buxton Crescent, a spectacular Grade I listed Georgian hotel originally built in the late 18th century, offering an authentic taste of the Regency period. Soak up the views from the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool, or take a dip in the thermal plunge pool fed by Buxton’s natural spring waters.

Savour dinner at the hotel’s acclaimed 1789 restaurant, with seasonal dished crafted from local ingredients, before retiring to your elegantly restored Georgian bedroom for a peaceful overnight stay. Travel back to Manchester in the morning.

Morning

Evelyn’s Café Bar is an easy-going local venue, serving brunch classics by day and refined small plates by night. Ezra and Gil, in the Northern Quarter, is a great hang out spot for great food, coffee and dessert. And Federal, an independently owned, Australian-themed café bar, serves gourmet coffee, speciality teas, delicious brunch, bagels and homemade cakes.

Virgin Atlantic connects you to Manchester year-round from New York, Atlanta, and Orlando — with seasonal flights from Barbados and Las Vegas adding a little sunshine and sparkle to the schedule.