Things to do in

Manchester

Walk in the footsteps of your favorite players on this behind-the-scenes guided tour of the Etihad Stadium. Take a look at the state-of-the-art new player facilities of the revamped stadium and club. From arrival to pre-match preparations, and from the big match to their post-match media obligations, gain a true understanding of the journey that players take on a match day. Follow your guide who will bring each corner of the stadium to life with interesting stories, facts, and anecdotes. There are plenty of new areas to visit this season, including the brand new player facilities and the introduction of The Tunnel Club – the first of its kind in world football.

Connect with sport's history with this tour of the Manchester United Museum and the Old Trafford Stadium. Learn about the club's history and achievements as you explore the museum. Take a tour of Old Trafford and sit in your favorite player's seat in the dressing room. Visit the museum to see fascinating club memorabilia and interactive exhibits. Experience the thrill of strolling through the players’ tunnel towards the pitch. Sit in the dugout and try planning your game tactics as Sir Alex Ferguson did for many years. See the press room where the manager makes his statement after each home gam. Visit the VIP room that has hosted big names over the years, including celebrities and many former players. Receive a personalized certificate to commemorate your visit to Old Trafford.

Climb aboard a pleasure boat in central Manchester and embark on a trip to the heart of Manchester's old docklands into the center of the city. See sights from the modern Media City, now home to the BBC and the new home of ITV's Coronation Street, to the imposing Old Trafford football stadium and George Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge. Pass by the first of the 120 meter long locks of the Manchester Ship Canal, and admire the impressive Imperial War Museum and old Pomona Docks before heading into the heart of Manchester along the River Irwell. Listen to a full commentary that describes the history of the Manchester Ship Canal and the industries that made the city one of the powerhouses of Europe in the 19th century. Hear about the exciting future now being built.

Your ticket includes admission to all four floors of the museum. On the ground floor, have your photo taken with our FA Cup and Premier League trophies and enjoy the latest pop-up art exhibition. Level 1 is where you'll discover the must-see memorabilia — look out for the trophy won by England in 1966. You'll also uncover some fascinating history, like in England on the World Stage, which looks at the ups and downs of the England team. Level 1 is also the meeting point for guided tours. On Level 2, you'll find all the interactive challenges including Penalty Shootout. Temporary exhibitions on Level 3 change twice a year and take an in-depth look at soccer through art, photography, and technology.

Explore the birthplace of the industrial revolution aboard the hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus in Manchester and learn more about the city's contribution to science, politics, music, arts and sport. Hop-on and off at any of the 15 stops on a route that has been carefully planned to include key sights such as Manchester Town Hall, the National Football Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry and Manchester United Football Club. Hop-off at Salford Quays to visit the famous Lowry art gallery and Imperial War Museum North in the stunning building by Daniel Libeskind. Discover the new media hub where the BBC and ITV have located their TV studios, and avail of the canal-side shops and restaurants. 

Dive into an amazing underwater world at SEA LIFE Manchester and get up close and to thousands of creatures including magnificent sharks, enchanting jellyfish and meet Ernie and Cammy, the resident giant green sea turtles. Take a fascinating journey from the coast to the ocean's depths through 11 themed zones including the amazing Ocean Tunnel, where you can soak up the view from the sea bed, surrounded by tropical creatures swimming overhead. Venture deep into the worlds underwater cave system in the Rocky Hideout area, where little ones can explore mini caves and immersive tank displays to get up close to some weird and wonderful species. Experience the lair of the Japanese Spider Crabs, these fantastic creatures of the deep measure an unbelievable 3 meters claw to claw. Find out how it feels to touch a starfish and other creatures living in the interactive rockpool experience. Visit Turtle Beach, an interactive and unique 3D projection experience that navigates you through the life cycle of a sea turtle, from egg to the sea.

Depart from Manchester in the morning and head straight for the lovely Lake District. Stop first at Bowness, situated on the shores of Lake Windermere. Take some free time to stroll along the lake, opt for a scenic cruise, or wander around the town and admire the sublime views.  Travel around the southern tip of Windermere toward Coniston Water. Take in views of this lake before arriving in the picturesque village of Hawkshead. This is where poet William Wordsworth attended grammar school.  After exploring the quaint village, take the narrow country roads north towards Grasmere, a place Wordsworth described as "the loveliest spot that man hath found." Enjoy spectacular views of Ullswater Lake as you continue on back roads to the southern shore, and then onwards out of the Lake District to Lancaster.  A contrast to the already-visited villages, this town boasts majestic medieval architecture and a spectacular castle that looms over the surrounding district. From Lancaster, head back toward Manchester, arriving in the early evening.

The tour leaves Manchester in the morning and heads straight for the border of Wales. Conwy is the first stop of the day, one of the most picture-perfect harbor towns in the world. Here you can see a castle perched by the sea, the world's smallest house, and lots of cute restaurants serving up the best fish and chips. Venture along the winding, scenic roads of the Snowdonia National Park before arriving in Betws-Y-Coed. This quaint town is known as the gateway to Snowdonia and is famous for its alpine trees and cozy cafes. Chester is your next stop. This is one of England’s most historic towns and there is plenty to do here. It's advised to go straight to the ancient cathedral and learn about its remarkable past.

Leave the bustling city of Manchester and travel to Wales on a 90-minute fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme. Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle, a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with the french Richard The Engineer. Head into Snowdonia National Park using carefully-selected, off-the-beaten-track routes with a stop at the “capital of North Wales”: Betws-Y-Coed prayer house in the woods. Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford in between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed from your experienced guide and driver.

Experience the thrill of axe throwing against the backdrop of a pumping soundtrack in urban Manchester. Benefit from the skills of professional instructors and toss some steel around in the heart of the city. Pick a spot in one of 10 lanes and size up your two targets. Let your instructor show you the basics. Aim for the bullseye and feel the thrill as your axe hits the target. Unwind with some drinks at the on-site bar after your experience.