Most girls dream about being a princess. If you're a millineal woman, you might have thought that Prince William or Harry was in your reach. I remember going on summer trips to London and crossing my fingers that I'd bump into one of them. It'd be easy from there, clearly, they'd fall madly in love with me and the rest is history. Well, we never met, and I'm sure that's the only thing that stood in my way from royalty. But I still feel like it's necessary that we all feel like a queen from time to time. And that's just what I did in Manchester. Here's my quick guide to the city, plus how to live like true royalty.
Below you can find a map of all the places discussed in this post:
[powr-map id=7a3f811b_1510398996]
In the Northwest of England you'll find the pretty and historically rich city of Manchester. As one of the largest cities in England you might think immediately of the famous Football Team: Manchester United. But there's so much more to it than that! The city is modern with a beautiful town hall, Albert Square, art gallery, museums, Cathedral, and of course the football stadium. But this post is going to be focused on feeling like a queen. And we're going to do just that in Manchester.
Where to stay
I've never stayed anywhere quite like this: King Street Townhouse. An adorable hotel in the heart of the city – walking distance to almost everything. But not just that. The bed is the exact same the queen herself sleeps on. You actually get to feel like a queen since you're sleeping on the same mattress!
On top of that is a posh bathroom, stocked mini fridge and bar, and beautiful decor.
There's also a beautiful infinity pool that looks over the city. So you can lore over your dutiful subjects while you sip on champagne and check out the view.
Here, you get a spectacular view of Albert Hall in all its glory.
What to do
Of course, you'll want to walk around and see the sites. There is tons of art lining the streets and murals colorfully displayed on the buildings. Start at the Manchester Cathedral. Although it was bombed, it has been fully restored in all its glory.
Walk the Northern Quarter in Manchester and gaze at the Street art, pop in to Piccadilly records and other quirky shops that sell old records, vintage clothes, jewelry, and even over-the-top milkshakes.
Walk over to Manchester Town Hall for a view of the huge Albert Square – this is where they host their Christmas markets each year. Mosey on over to the Central Library – don't forget to check out the ceiling to find the city's crest. If you have time, go over to John Rylands Library and the Museum of Science and Industry.
After you're worn out from walking it's time for a break – in style. Richmond Tea Rooms are as if you went straight down the same hole Alice in Wonderland found herself in. Plop yourself down on a plush chair or couch and gaze at the over the top pink and blue decor.
Order afternoon tea which comes with a bountiful tiered platter of sandwiches, cakes, jams, and clotted cream. Of course, it comes with tea and even champagne. It was just so fun to sit and drink and marvel at the decor. Honestly, one of the most memorable dining experiences.
Pro Tip: It's customary to tip 10% in restaurants, though it's not always necessary. Being an American I'm used to tipping, so I just always give 10%.
After the meal it was raining (very common in Manchester) but we continued walking outside. We landed on this funky art gallery that was so inviting, with hand crafted art from around the city.
There are many art galleries like the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery and more.
Manchester is also known for musicians, much like in Liverpool, although a totally different scene. The Smiths, Oasis, and The Stone Roses, to name a few, all come from here. The city is buzzing with music and arts and it's easy to walk around and see the trace of artistic vibes. An area to also check out is the gay neighborhood. Filled with pride and funky bars, it's a cool area to explore.
Lastly, let's cap off your stay by heading to the tallest building in Manchester: Cloud 23. Set atop the Hilton, you'll find decadent (though a little overpriced) drinks. They are worth the price tag for the epic views and artfully displayed alcoholic concoctions.
I know my drink (the one in the middle) might look plain, but the New Orleans inspired drink was served with a doughnut and was seriously one of the best drinks I've ever had. Now that's saying something.
All in all, Manchester is a great place to kick back and relax, watch a sporting event, peruse the funky shops, and of course, enjoy high tea — like a queen.
You might also like: 48 Hours in Liverpool
This post was brought to you as a result of the #WelcomeToEngland campaign, created and managed by iambassador in partnership with Visit Britain. As always, Helene in Between retains all editorial control of what is published.
