Manchester Travel and Things to Do Guide

Manchester is ranked as a leading conference destination for planners and delegates alike. It has an enviable track record of delivering incredible events in which conference organizers are reaping the rewards from continuous investment and development.
Manchester is an ambitious city that has paved the way with a wealth of innovations and ideas. From splitting the atom and creating the first programmable computer to introducing the first professional football league, Manchester is known as a city of firsts. It has also undergone a series of transformations, from industrial heartland to the vibrant and exciting conurbation it is today — something that can be seen from the consistent development and investment into venues and the city’s transport infrastructure.
With three terminals handling over 27 million passengers each year, Manchester Airport is the global gateway to northern England and the largest airport in the U.K. outside London. Located just 20 minutes from the city center, it offers direct connections to over 200 destinations around the world, including Beijing, Dubai, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Amsterdam.
From 12,000 delegates theater-style to 10 in a boardroom, Manchester offers a full range of flexible meeting and conference spaces, so booking your next event couldn’t be easier. From unique venues such as the Science and Industry Museum and The Lowry to academic and countryside venues, there is a venue perfectly suited to your event.
Located in the heart of the city center, Manchester Central has been an iconic feature of the skyline for almost 130 years. This former train station is now a conference venue that has the capacity to handle everything from intimate corporate functions to large-scale national and international conferences, trade and public exhibitions, and gala banquets. Manchester Central offers event organizers a truly exceptional, state-of-the-art venue experience.
Manchester is home to three major universities: the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Salford, all of which provide excellent university-based conference and meeting facilities. Many of them are available all year round.
For events with a little more edge, whether it is private dining overlooking the twinkling lights of the city, a gala dinner in a Grade II listed monastery, or a drinks reception among the attractions and world-famous exhibitions, Manchester’s unique and unusual venues provide a variety of solutions. Try Manchester City and Manchester United Football Clubs or Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Club for a taste of Manchester’s sporting history. For something quirky, consider the Manchester Art Gallery, Albert Square Chop House, or Victoria Warehouse.
Accommodation isn’t hard to come by in Manchester. There are over 11,000 bedrooms in the city center alone, offering a large choice for delegates. There are options to suit all budgets, with a wide range of hotels and serviced apartments, many of which are located in historic buildings that reflect this city’s great commercial heritage. For example, the five-star Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester, opposite Manchester Central, is located in the former Free Trade Hall. It has a monumental listed frontage combined with powerful new landmark architecture and celebrates contemporary interior design in its 263 superb rooms, including two presidential suites and 20 junior and Al Fresco suites. Another iconic hotel set in the heart of Manchester is The Midland Hotel. This Grade II listed Edwardian building exudes elegance and style. Where Mr. Rolls met Mr. Royce and the classic British car was born, this hotel also boasts four AA rosettes for its onsite restaurant, Adam Reid at the French. The city also has a collection of stunning purpose-built hotels, including the brand-new Dakota Hotel, opened in 2019. This eight-story new build, located within Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter, features luxurious bedrooms and opulent suites. A Manchester first, the Crowne Plaza Staybridge Suites Oxford Road is the only dual-branded hotel under one roof in northern England. This 19-story building is located just off Manchester’s bustling Oxford Road in the heart of the university district and within walking distance of the city center.