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Manchester: can you even believe we’d never been? Well, I’d been once on my way home from a family trip to Blackpool but we spent the day at Granada Studios on the Coronation Street set and now I can’t help but feel it was slightly wasted…because Manchester is fab.
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We only stayed one night, but boy did we cram a lot in…and have already planned to go back.
WHERE TO STAY
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We stayed at Great St John Street Hotel, recommended to us via some twitter readers (thank you!). The rooms were quirky yet comfortbale – our room had a mezzanine floor – and super spacious. There are a few weddings on at weekends which makes it a bit crowded but I’d definitely recommend.
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WHERE TO EAT
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Evelyn’s – we loved this spot on Tib Street for brunch – expect the usuals: avocado on toast, burgers, as well as ramen and seafood – all amazingly presented.
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The Refuge – uber chic restaurant in the Principal Hotel, this cool (vast) space serves small, tapas style dishes – we loved the pork belly and cod croquettes.
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Foundation Coffee – an interior design fan’s dream. And the coffee’s good, too.
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Rudy’s Pizza relaxed, cheap and delicious. The perfect lunch in Manchester.
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WHAT TO DO
Walk round The Northern Quarter, I suppose it’s kind of the heart and soul of the city – full of cool cafes, bars, record stores and vintage shops. It felt very much like Brooklyn to us with lots of warehouse-y buildings and great coffee shops. We spent too long in Magma and browsing record stores (despite not having anything to play records on!).
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Manchester Art Gallery – there’s nothing I like more than spending an afternoon in a beautifully curated gallery…and when the rain set in, this is exactly what we did. Along with a new fashion exhibition, I also loved some of the permanent pieces: J W Waterhouse, Millais and some beautiful Henry Moore works. And it’s free.
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This Frugal City Guide was in partnership with Sorel, the perfect winter footwear for city break.
Fig and Sparrow one of my favourite places you pictured! & Northern Quarter anything goes fashion or footwear wise 🙂 XX
My town! You definitely managed to cram a lot in for a 1 night stay! I guess I’m the same with London, if i were to come I’d definitely work around all the places I’d want to eat!