MANCHESTER: Should you visit? American visits Manchester England
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2024
- I can’t tell you how many people “down South” grumble about Manchester being an industrial city that is not worth visiting as a tourist. But I was determined to stop by this large city in Northwest England and check it out for myself! I wanted to find out if it deserves the bad reputation it gets.
My husband Ian watches the channel Aidan Eyewitness, which discusses architecture in Manchester, so we asked Aidan if he would show us around Manchester. Here is that tour, along with all the details on where we stayed, what fabulous food we ate, and what else we saw in the city. Including a stop by a famous football stadium at the end!
Check below for the chapters in the video and to see links to other videos!
WATCH FOR MY UPCOMING VLOGS OF LIVERPOOL, NORTHUMBERLAND, SOMERSET, AND DEVON!
Please SUBSCRIBE to be a part of the Magenta Otter Tribe and join us for our travel adventures, taste tests, and discussions of British culture. Thanks so much for your support! Cheers! XX Dara
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:19 Driving North
1:31 Entering Manchester and Moxy Manchester Hotel
4:32 Manchester Architecture Tour with Aidan Eyewitness
11:03 National Football Museum
12:00 Northern Quarter and Dinner at Mackie Mayor
14:25 Why Manchester is Great
15:12 Sticky Toffee Pudding
17:00 Brunch at Federal
18:48 John Rylands Library
22:28 Old Trafford Manchester United Football Club Stadium
Important links:
Aidan Eyewitness’ channel about architecture in Manchester and beyond: / aidaneyewitness
My Newcastle Upon Tyne vlog: • NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Ci...
My Northumberland playlist is here: • Northumberland Vlogs
My road trip to Devon and stop at Gloucester Services (the BEST motorway services I’ve seen): • Devon Road Trip on 1st...
My epic compilation of the TEN Sticky Toffee Puddings I ate last summer: • Sticky Toffee Puddings...
The Ian & Dara Story - How we met and married: • The Dara & Ian Story: ...
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THANK YOU to Aidan from @AidanEyewitness for the amazing architecture tour of Manchester! Please check out his channel via the link in the description.
And THANK YOU to the new subscribers who helped me reach 4K subscribers during the live premiere today! XX Dara
you obviously like to learn about British history and culture,
in Britain in the 1950s. identical twin brothers Ronald and Reginald kray went from professional boxers to become the most vicious gangsters in Britain,
many movies have been made about them
but only 1 is good. the krays. starring Gary and Martin kemp. ,
it's a good movie check it out if you have the time,
good video 👍
it's always nice to see people enjoy our country you are so nice to our country most people have horrible things to say about my country but not you,
you also are very knowledgeable about the places you visit
good video 👍🇬🇧
@@da90sReAlvloc I remember hearing about the Krays! Will have to check out the film. Cheers! Dara
@MagentaOtterTravels I grew up in Manchester in the 90s. It has changed a lot since then and the downtown/ City Centre is booming and some inner city neighbourhoods have been gentrified. However, Manchester still has many neighbourhoods that have high rates of poverty and if you go a mile or so North of the City Centre you would see a lot of boarded up row houses and low income government housing, you would think you were in North Philadelphia or parts of Baltimore more than in what you would expect to see in a British city But yes, Manchester is far better than it was in the 80s and 90s and a lot less crime ridden than back then.
@@rjflores438 i'm impressed with how much the city has changed in recent years, but I'm not surprised that there are still parts that are struggling. It is a big city, after all. I have yet to see a big city anywhere that doesn't have areas with abandoned buildings and poverty. I do think that all the economic changes in recent years has made the abandoned/boarded up buildings problem even more severe.
@MagentaOtterTravels Yeah man, it was rough in the 90s in parts of Manchester, we even had a 7 or 8 year period in the 1990s and early 2000s where certain areas were dealing with shootings on a weekly basis. Luckily the gun laws have been tightened in the main ringleaders of those gangs are now in prison for a long time, the city is so much better today, but the homelessness problem is a ls bad as its ever been. You should try getting a ticket to Manchester United or Manchester City if you are ever in town again.
Manchester is probably the most vibing city in the UK. It was recently named "the best place to live" by the Sunday Times. It is historic. It has been through the worst and come out stronger everytime. Its full off industrial buildings from the industrial revolution. Movies are filmed there such as Captain America and shows like Peaky Blinders. It is a beautiful city with the greatest of people, where part of a Roman Fort still stands. They have the greatest rock bands and the biggest football clubs. Manchester has 200 different spoken languages. This is my home and I am proud to be a Mancunian. 🐝
You do sound like a proud Manc and I don't blame you! It IS a fantastic city, and I personally love the music... as I'm a much bigger music fan than a football fan. I hope you feel like my video did a fair job achieving my goal of enticing Americans (and some reluctant Britons) to come visit! Thanks for your lovely comment. Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels it did. You should be proud of your work. And you will be welcome to come back to our city.
@@Colgan1 we will definitely be coming back! For sure we want to see the renovated City Hall when it is unveiled!
Lived in Manchester a few years I thought it was a depressing place felt very run down and lots of rubbish everywhere. Also horrible weather even summer was grey and depressing. Glad to be back in Australia in the sun.
It really is pleasing to see American tourists ACTUALLY visit Britain. Its great that you enjoyed your holiday.
I’m beyond lucky to have the whole summer to spend in Britain and really explore! I’m glad I can visit so many places beyond the typical American tourist short list 😉. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'll tell you a little secret, if you find yourself on the Isle of Mull, get on the B8073 at Salen and travel up to Calgary! I promise you, it's the most beautiful road in the world and I'm sure you'll find a wonderful surprise at Calgary this time of year.
Im from Manchester not lived there for going on 20 years, but its fantastic seeing it. Obviously the music scene was special infact visiting two of the best musical cities in the UK if not the world. Manchester/liverpool.... fun fact apparently the newyork style staircase that you seen was in a captain America apparently....
I'm not surprised! That little bit of the city really did look like New York! And actually, we just visited New York last month. 👍💖
I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed this video. Coming from a Mancunian, that means a lot!!
I look forward to returning to Manchester to see the renovated town hall when it's finally complete ! Cheers, Dara
I've never been to Manchester but it looks such a beautiful city.
It is a lovely and interesting place! I hope you get a chance to visit sometime ;-) Cheers! Dara
It most definitely is.
Great video of my home city, and so glad you went to John Rylands Library as so many people miss that hidden gem! The only slight annoyance was your friend Aidan saying that because the buildings (Sinclair Oyster Bar and The Wellington) were moved they were like "make believe, like a theme park, like Disneyland" which is nonsense. The buildings are real genuinely old buildings, just because they were moved doesn't invalidate their history. Make-believe, theme parks, Disneyland are modern buildings made to look old. Sinclairs and The Wellington are genuine.
Other than that small point, that I felt I had to clarify, I enjoyed the video very much, definitely one of the better videos I've seen of Manchester.
I think Aidan meant that one might think they were "like Disneyland" because they had the beautiful and meaningful buildings together in one place by design. But no, I agree it is NOTHING like Disneyland... which is, as you say, all fake and new and superficial. Those old buildings and pubs are legit and steeped in history!
I'm really grateful we had time to visit the Rylands library. It is probably my favourite library ever! What a treat! Can't wait to visit MCR again when the town hall is fully refurbished and reopened!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Read about how the buildings have been moved TWICE in their history. They had to be jacked up from their original position during redevelopment of the old Market Place. I remember them in their old location in the middle of a 60/70s shopping centre. They look much more in place now near the cathedral in the original heart of Manchester.
Great video, I love how you focused on showcasing Manchester's architecture. It reminds us locals that we should appreciate it more!
Thank you so much! That was exactly my goal. 💖
We often overlook fabulous things that are right under our noses!
The same is definitely true of Newcastle. I hope you check out that video as well 😉
Congratulations of 4000!! I have to admit Manchester has never been on my list of cities to visit in the UK, but I'm impressed with what you showed. I love historic architecture and love the fact that so many historic buildings are being restored and repurposed. Manchester may have to go on the list!
Yay, mission accomplished!! I love showing the surprisingly nice places that people don't know about. And while Manchester is a big city, I only know of tourists going there for the football clubs! ;-)
Really enjoyed the tour guys. Except the Manure stadium at the end. Ian we will talk footy tomorrow 👍🏻. Great job as always. 🙏🏻🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Good luck discussing footy with Ian! haha
Our time in Manchester was def too short. Looking forward to spending more time there in 2024.
Party in Manny - summer 2024! With a visit to the Town Hall, St Peters Square, Midland Hotel, and maybe even the other footy stadium! haha... But definitely more brunch at Federal!
Congratulations on the four thousand subscribers, Dara and Ian. Here's to so many more in the future! Loved meeting Aiden (got a sneak peek in your last video) and seeing all the wonderful architecture. Loved hearing him talk about it! Some of these buildings we stunning and we too love Abraham Lincoln and enjoyed seeing his statue here. Wonderful tour and the food looked delicious. Thanks so much for bringing us along!
Thank you so much, Dave and Kathy! Yes, when you are not wandering around the world you live in the land of Lincoln! And in Peoria you are closer to Springfield than where I grew up!👍
I am glad you enjoyed the look at the beautiful architecture of Manchester. I agree that Aidan was a fabulous tour guide!🏆 Thanks so much for watching, and have a fabulous weekend!
everyone just see's UK as London so glad you did other cities and saw how true brits live and go about and how friendly we are
Yes indeed! I'm on a quest to show all the best bits of Britain I can find! We go ALL over!!! I hope you are subscribed and come along with us to all the places. As for friendly, I loved that guy blowing me kisses as we walked down the street to dinner, LOL!
What a lovely video, I love all of the architecture. So funny, when my Ian and I stayed in Manchester last summer so that we could get me to the airport faster for an early morning departing flight (it was a sad stay since I was about to be leaving that next morning, but we still managed to have lots of fun) we stayed in the Deansgate area and went to the Atlas Bar seen in your video! I too found Manchester exciting and surprisingly vibrant. I missed the library though and definitely need to go back to see that! : )
I can’t believe that you went in the atlas building that I just randomly filmed! That’s awesome! I totally understand that your Manchester visit was bittersweet. I hope you can both return on a future trip to see the library, and maybe the town hall as well. And not have to say goodbye after the visit!💖💖Cheers! XX Dara
As a Mancunian, not currently living in the City, your video has made me extremely proud, not that I wasn't previously. There is so much to see it would take much longer to give the city true recognition.
Thanks so much for watching the video and taking the time to comment! We really enjoyed our first visit to Manchester. And now we are currently on the motorway driving back into the city for our second visit! I told Ian I needed to go back to that brunch place tomorrow morning! Lol
Wow! The Ivy looks amazing! All the magenta in the hotel was so very appropriate too, haha! Aiden's channel sounds fascinating, and it was wonderful to have such a rich, personal tour. I adored everything about that food halll. I could have spent a whole day in there. So glad you found the recommended STP, and it's excellent you got to Old Trafford! Lovely trip Dara! Thank you for this!
Thanks for coming along! It was a wonderful city to discover! On a side note… today is my birthday and I’m in London. My big birthday meal was in another food hall. At a cheese bar that had a nonstop conveyor belt of CHEESE!!! So fun.
4K SUBS BABY!!! That's awesome. Love this vlog style. I hope you have started the plans to add a magenta fireplace to your palatial estate!
I'm WAY excited about the 4K subs, thanks! This video was a bear to edit. I had nearly 500 clips, so it crashed my system and the audio got totally corrupted. I had to rebuild it again on the last day. I was SO relieved when I finally posted it! haha
As I get older and more minimalist I am less and less inclined to have a palatial estate. So probably no magenta flamingo fireplace for me! haha
Brilliant video!! Well worth all your trouble. Really professional quality.
Aww thanks so much! That means a lot!🙏 Cheers! Dara
Absolutely fascinating! You crammed so much interesting stuff into this video that I feel I know Manchester even though I've never been there. Maybe I should...!
I recommend going! It’s a great place for architecture and food… two of our favourite things😉. Just like Vienna, which is where we are now! 🇦🇹
That crayfish looks lovely. Great old photo.
What a fantastic idea those plants are & what a wonderful room. Hi Aidan 👋
500 feet omg, I hope the lifts work🤣
Some cool buildings and architecture in Manchester, I’m going to definately visit now.
Thank you for taking us along, soo interesting Magenta & Ian x💕
Cheers Kim! I’m glad I made you want to visit Manchester. Mission accomplished!💕
First CONGRATULATIONS on 4K!!!!
Second, what a wonderful video! What a nice tour with Aidan, I’ll go check out his channel! Manchester is now on my list! Looks like a wonderful place to visit! Very different from what I remember in 96.
Manchester purchased cotton from the south and there was some controversy over two ships build in the UK and sold to the south during the war. Lincoln was a peacemaker and thankfully we are still allies today!
Dara excellent video bravo wonderful so informative and you truly showed Manchesters beauty!
Toffee pudding???? Did you like it?
~Cara 💖
Yes we loved the sticky toffee pudding… always 😊
Thanks so much for the congratulations! It was very exciting to hit the 4000 mark during my premiere today!
I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I was certain you would see it has changed a lot since you were there in 96!
Really enjoyed that guys, I’m in Manchester a lot, and I’ve never looked at it like you showed it, it’s a great city 🤜🤛🔴
So many people go to the airport, or visit there for business... visiting as a tourist gives a different view. And we were quite lucky to have a wonderful tour guide!
I’ve been 10 times to Manchester,but I’ve never seen it this good..your guide is a wizard..
@@griswald7156 he is absolutely brilliant!
Fun fact: The Beetham tower makes an eerie humming sound in high wind.
Wow, that is funny and interesting! Thanks for watching the video and sharing that fun fact! Cheers! Dara
Loved loved loved your review of Manchester and took a ton of your suggestions when we visited during the spring! We stayed at the Moxy, ate at Federal (best meal of the trip!) and had sticky toffee pudding!! My boys wanted to see a lot of the soccer/football sites... which was fine... i went and enjoyed cream tea by myself. Thanks for your fun channel... I love learning about the UK and hope and pray I get to go back soon! -MaryRuth in North Texas
I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip! I remember you reaching out when you were doing your trip plans. I'm glad that you all had the opportunity to do things you enjoyed. And I'm happy to hear how much you enjoyed Manchester! Thanks for following up and letting me know how it went! Dara
I'm an old Londoner but Manchester holds a very close place to my heart. My father was a Mancunian, and i would visit Manchester regularly with my parents in the 50's and early 60's. By the mid 60's i would go up there on my own to visit my paternal grandparents.
It is a fabulous city!❤️🏴
@@MagentaOtterTravels It certainly is Dara 👍
Loved this video. I'm from Manchester and you showed me things I didn't know existed!
Oh wow! That's high praise!
I just returned to MCR last Friday and we explored some new areas... the warehouse district, the canals, Gay Village and Chinatown. Cheers! Dara
Excellent tour of the Rylands Library! Man U is such a popular franchise. Whether we were in Mexico or East Africa the locals were supporting their jerseys. Or shirts. Or whatever they are called. Great video Dara and Ian!
MUCHAS GRACIAS - Thanks so much for watching! Yes, Man U is SO popular around the world. I could tell from the gift shop and all the tourists there! I do think the Rylands Library is my favourite place. Someone told me yesterday it was a Harry Potter filming location. They sure got around to a LOT of places when filming that series!
@@MagentaOtterTravels would hate to book the travel for the filming of a harry potter movie!
One of the best videos on Manchester I’ve seen! It’s a fantastic city. I am going in a couple of weeks (my third visit) Cannot wait to try that French toast!! Great channel. New subscriber, oh and big Smiths fan too!! 👍🏻😀
Thanks for joining the Magenta Otter Tribe! I really appreciate your kind words. We enjoyed Manchester so much. We are going back in August and you can bet that I will be retuning to that breakfast place in search of more of that delicious food... I've been craving it ever since! Let me know if you get the chance to try the French toast!!
As for the Smiths... they are legend. Smiths and Morrissey were part of why Ian and I got together! And we celebrate 31 years of marriage next week! Thanks for your comment. Cheers! Dara
I'm a proud Manchester born woman and I love seeing Manchester again and love that other people are loving my home town so much I live out side of Manchester now in the country side bit
That sounds like a good place to live, you can enjoy the countryside and also go into the city when you want! We are actually headed back to Manchester this Friday 💖👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels yeah I think it is tho I big part of me misses the city as I was always at the mall ( Trafford center) as I would do a morning excise walk around the Trafford centre ( Mall ) which was a Hugh group of people and you walk it before the shops would open all in all it would be about about a mile plus you end up doing each morning. It's really worth a visit you won't be disappointed if you went the food hall is like being on a cruise ship google you see what I mean. Trafford centre in old Trafford
@@MagentaOtterTravels well if you go in the Trafford centre (Mall) there is an American burger place does Hugh burgers and a really Hugh. Ice bowl to share for about 4/6 people 😋 👍 I use to take my children and then go up stairs in the mall to the cinema
@@kathryndunn9142 haha that sounds like fun!
Hi and thank you for having me at the premiere.
This tour of the city of Masachueset is a little unique for me, especially since I see American chain restaurants.
I like that the rich heritage of the UK is respected and at the same time, modern architecture somehow blends into this city.
The old buildings showcase quite a character within. Of course, always food is essential. I would love to visit the UK someday to explore where you recommended. My home country demolished old wooden castles and rebuilt them for visitors because of the safety measures and building codes in my country which has very strict qualifications. The carpentry is stunning to see such as without nails/screws.
I have been watching AidanEyewitness for the last couple of videos. He has very fascinating content with a passion as I enjoy architecture and photography. Ooops, I didn't know everybody knew him.
Thank you so much for taking us on a walking tour along with you. 🙋♀🙋♀🛶🛶
What country are you from originally? Yes, it's strange to see the American fast food everywhere... pity really! Thanks so much for joining the premiere! Have a great weekend! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels My nationality is JP.🙋♀🙋♀🛶🛶
@@ms.kayak7seas nice to meet you. We just watched the video of you riding an elephant 🐘👍
Ian is absolutely correct. The picture of The Smiths posing outside of Salford Lads Club was used as the inner sleeve for their album 'The Queen Is Dead.'
At least we were correct on THAT! Apparently we butchered the pronunciation of "Salford" though! You just can't win ... *sigh*
It's pronounced Solford so yes you really butchered it. My daughter starts at Salford Uni in a few weeks.
Thank you so much loved the watch 😊
I’m so glad! These animals were so adorable and/or entertaining!
😊👍Absolutely fantastic and perfect💖 Thank you my friend for uploading this beautiful video,,👍🌷💕
So beautiful area there and presentation, thanks for sharing dear. All the best and have a great new week. Like 181
Thanks so much! 👍
Congratulations 4k supporters happy to see you my friend keep safe travel
Thanks so much!
Great video, from perhaps my favourite British city outside of London!
It is a lovely place! And we sure enjoyed the food 😉. Cheers! Dara
Thanks for the tour of Manchester. My oldest likes Lincoln too, so that was very interesting to see his statue there.
The whole story behind the statue is actually quite fascinating. Interesting to hear the "sides" that Manchester and other cities took in the American Civil War.
Love the mix of modern and historic architecture in Manchester. I especially love the historic buildings, and the gothic Ryland library was fabulous, both inside and out. As ex-librarians, we always enjoy exploring the library in places we visit. The food in the market looked very varied and delicious.
Yes, I love the mix of architecture when it is well done. And it is there!
Another interesting fact about the John Ryland library is it contains the earliest extant New Testament manuscript, a business-card-sized fragment from the Gospel of John (P52), dated as early as the first half of the 2nd century.
@@timelord5920 whoah, that’s incredible!!
Wonderful video! Very glad you enjoyed Manchester :)
Thanks so much! I was surprised at all the lovely architecture! We are excited to go back and visit in a couple years when the town hall renovation is complete. Do you live in MCR?
very well put together video and interesting to boot.
Thanks so much! It was one of my more difficult videos to edit, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it! Cheers! Dara
Fantastic video. Aidan's channel is also excellent!
Cheers! Yes, Aidan is a fine chap and we really enjoy watching his channel. He has a really unique take on things and his content is high quality.
Great vid. You really managed to show off Manchester in an fantastic light. Which is praise indeed because as a Scouser i'm not supposed to say anything nice about the place, Intercity rivalries being what they are 🙂 They've managed a fantastic balance of the old and the new. The architecture, street culture, and food all looked amazing, and having the weather really helped. One famous stereotype being it always rains there. 'Nice one, sorted', as they say in those parts.
Haha, thanks for being open minded, John! I had a wonderful visit to Liverpool right after Manchester and we loved it as well! Unfortunately it will take me AGES to get that vlog published because I collected so much content it is absolutely overwhelming. And we are leaving Britain soon to head over to the continent for continued travels for a while. We were so fortunate to not really have rain in Manny or Liverpool... but it was hot as hades in Liverpool. We were there for that nasty heatwave! Especially bad in the Beatles tour bus, lol! Thanks for your comment and your continued support. Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Glad you enjoyed Liverpool, though that heat did get a bit oppressive didn't it. And I'll try not to take it personally that the Manchester footage is taken, and up and online in days... Whereas Liverpool's, well, looks like we'll have quite a wait 🙂 Enjoy Europe, and when in Austria, don't forget to try the Kaiserschmarrn. Oh, and the Sachertorte's pretty great too, you'll see that everywhere. Cheers.
Wow!! AidanEyewitness has a space-age pen from the future. 4 colours, each at the press of a thumb!!!! The future's arrived and it's in Aidan's pocket.
I remember as a child being fascinated by those pens 🤣
I live near Manchester. You said some very nice things. Thank you!
We love Manchester! A beautiful city with so much history and interesting places to visit. We just wish the town hall refurbishment would hurry up and finish! We want to take our sons to visit Manchester. I want to re-create the Salford Lads Club photo that The Smiths took LOL!
Wonderful video, you did Manchester proud. Very well done.
Thanks so much! I was really chuffed with how this one turned out. Not all videos are equally good, and it's rewarding when I work really hard on one and it's OK!
Great video - Manchester is my home city although I moved away many years ago. I’ll always be proud of the place and the people.
Thank you so much! We were really impressed with Manchester when we visited it for the first time last year. Surprised by how much we liked it! In fact, tomorrow morning we are driving back for another visit! 💕 What part of the world do you live in now?
@@MagentaOtterTravelsOh wonderful - I hope you will enjoy it again! We live in Windsor now, having been in Leeds, Chester and North Wales since Manchester. Have you ever been to north wales? Some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK in our opinion (providing you go on a day with fine weather!) Enjoy your trip back to Manchester.
🎉 🥰 =4.04K Whohooo Fabulous. So loved every minute of this tour. How wonderful you had the company of an expert. Aidan added an extra layer of knowledge to your video. There is something very special when being confronted with that which fits into your own history: Abraham Lincoln. That must have felt so special seeing his statue and learning a bit more about this man and his influence elsewhere. Your talent to share information is wonderful, the narration very appropriately dimmed in special places. Lovely video Dara and Ian- oh no, I didn't forget the food impressions. Salivating now. So delicious looking. Yummmmm! 🎉 👍 💖 🇳🇿 🙋♀ 🇳🇱
You are such a sweetheart, Anita! Thank you so much for watching the video and leaving such a lovely comment. 😘
When we go back in a couple years to see the refurbished town hall I’m hoping I can get that French toast again! 😂 speaking of which, did you have any French toast in France?
@@MagentaOtterTravels now you mention it- no we didn’t have any French toast in France LOL
@@IamaDutch-Kiwi haha I figured 😉
That meal looks like the gardener was cutting the privet hedge outside ,the window was open ,and some clippings gusted in..
Which meal was that? You should see the lunch Ian had in Newcastle at Broad Chare... DEFINITELY garden clippings!!!
@@MagentaOtterTravels Brunch at the Federal “corn fritters”…with gardeners garnish…
those Manchester buildings remind me of the Grande Hotel in Scarborough…
I shall indeed do you the honour of attending this exciting premiere. 🤣🤣👍🏻
Cheers, Watto! 🙌
Fantastic vlog about the city where I live. I am not originally from Manchester but first moved here in 1988 when I went to university. With a few years off for good behaviour I have pretty much been here ever since because I totally fell in love with the place. Thank you so much for presenting your thoughts and experiences.
Oh my goodness, what a kind thing to say! I'm chuffed to hear that you enjoyed my video. We fell in love with Manchester too! Got back for just a very brief visit overnight this summer. But I want to go back with my whole family when the Town Hall renovation is finally done... let me know if you find out when the latest estimate is on that being finished. It's going to be great! And BTW I loved your "time off for good behaviour" comment. Cheers! Dara
My father's side of the family are from Liverpool so you better believe those videos are next on my list to binge! 🙂@@MagentaOtterTravels
Now they are saying it might take as long as 2026 to finish the Town Hall Renovation but they are "working" to limit the delay... Your guess is as good as mine as to what that might actually mean...@@MagentaOtterTravels
@@Lixmage wow, that's a long time!
@@Lixmage cheers! 💖
Can't wait to watch
Thanks so much!
So many beautiful places 😍
I agree! Great place to visit if you love architecture!
Super video guys! I live near Manchester, it gave me a different perspective. FYI… Madonna's UK Debut with “Holiday” was live at Manchester's Famous Hacienda Club in 1984, on the music TV show the tube. My brother got to witness her!! ❤️
Oh wow, seeing Madonna in 1984 would be a great thing to brag about! I saw Queen in concert (my first live concert ever) a couple years before that. Freddie Mercury was amazing and I regularly brag about that! haha
Queen are the best! I’m just watching‘Newcastle upon Tyne’ just at ‘The Keep’ history lesson 👍❤️
Oh….One last thing. I’m in ‘‘Newcastle’ with you atm.. & your love for ‘Vera’ got me thinking how much you’d enjoy ‘Little Voice’ movie, starring, Brenda Blethyn, Michael Cain, Ewan McGregor & Jane Horrocks, set in Scarborough. It’s one of the best movies!! 👍👍
@@simonman3042 Thanks! We will have to check it out
Wow, it took an American to show me how beautiful Manchester is, I’m born and bred just outside of London. I’ve never been to Manchester, I’m so embarrassed.. definitely want to go now.
No need to be embarrassed, there are lots of wonderful places in my home country that I haven't visited either! But I do think Manchester is a beautiful city with an interesting history. I hope you do have a chance to visit!👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels .. I actually live in your wonderful country now, I’m in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, been here nearly 7 years. I watch videos like yours to keep me connected to my roots, I miss everything about UK life especially the people and countryside. That said I’m still very happy in Florida. Thanks for a great video, only watched half, watching the rest tonight!
@@TheFever77 i'm glad that you like Florida, but also glad that you like to keep in touch with your British roots. I totally understand appreciating the good in both countries! 👍👍
This is such an excellent look at Manchester.
Four k 🥂well done Dara,also Ian should ask Aidan about Fred Dibnah, not for the channel but for he’s own entertainment.👏🏻
Cheers, Tony! It's a wonderful blessing to have a community of friends on TH-cam!
I have relayed your message to Ian ;-)
Aye up, the wife and my mum was born here, i best check this one out! 🤣
Indeed! It’s changed a lot over the years… and big things are ahead in 2024!
@@MagentaOtterTravels gosh other than flying in and out of the airport havent really spent any time there in over a decade, will be interesting to see! 👍
The library is stunning 👍
I'm SO glad we went to the Rylands. It was magnificent!!
Can't believe you missed Cheethams School by the cathedral, it was opened in 1653.
We plan to come back with our sons once the town hall refurbishment is complete. We shall have to visit Cheethams School then ;-) Thanks for the recommendation! Dara
Love your visit
We really enjoyed our time there! Thanks for watching 💕
STP and Custard, what a great suggestion 😋 who would have thought 😉
You you you! Eric gets all the credit! And the other person or two who suggested it ;-)
After my Cornwall trip, came back to reality to the Bay Area then had to do some work in Austin. Holy cow 101F every day lol. Miss the cool Cornish weather. Haven’t really gone much beyond Nottingham. I will go to Manchester and beyond the next time after watching this video. Definitely going to go to the Lake District area!!
Austin is great... but NOT in the heat of summer. Best to avoid Texas this time of year! haha
The Lake District is a MUST! And I strongly suggest Manchester. Although it would be best to go after the town hall reno is done... 2024 I think. It's a city with great architecture and food and history! Thanks so much for your comment. It's good to hear from you again! Cheers! Dara
The Peak District and south eastern Cheshire are worth visiting too (with Manchester as a base)
Wow, Manchester looks very different now! Ive never stayed at a Moxy, its always the first thing we see when we fly into Milan! Rooms look decent quality, what a nice place! ♥16C sounds nice. Nice youtube find Ian! Will have to check Aiden out! Gosh those new buildings, yikes, wouldnt recognise them at all! Im glad they have kept some of the older architecture and artworks! Hmm, i like the sound of the refurbished Town Hall. Aiden is an incredible tour guide! Nice Lincoln statue and plaque! So many great footballers in Manchester, it really is like the Hollywood Hall of Fame! Im surprised you didnt interview that chap eating alfresco! He seemed quite a character! Im a huge fan of the old Victorian Architecture and canals! Loving the appreciation for the old buildings, 1000% me, well done on finding them all! Cant go wrong eating out in Manchester! Stunning library, looks like a Harry Potter set! Used to love the Hacienda as a kid. Great music! Thats a great whirlwind tour! You uncovered the best bits for sure! Excited to see Liverpool! 👍👍
It will take me months to compile my Liverpool vlogs! We were there three days and I filmed a huge amount. Plus, we did a collab with Rachel and Wills there!
Thanks for watching this video! This city really has changed a lot in recent years, and I sincerely thought it was a fun, vibrant, beautiful place. I particularly loved the Victorian and art deco architecture! Someone told me that the Rylands library was used in filming Harry Potter! I didn’t know!
@@MagentaOtterTravels wow, you did incredibly well to edit all that together! Yes, we did hear glowing reports from the lovely Rach and Wills, still gutted we missed our meet up but know you’ll be back and at some point this pesky £ will grow on the $ and we will be back stateside. Annoyed me all day we couldn’t finish for 4pm, we really tried! 4:50 and super rushed and exhausted to finish! Our Alpine plans got a setback today if we want to stay where we have stayed before we have to wait until second week of October. So we are now frantically searching somewhere new or resigning ourselves to that fate. Bad times! Great video! Love you and Ian, always bounce off the screen, cant wait to see you with the awesome Rach and Wills ♥️
@@GENerationXplorers aww you are too kind! I hope your travel plans get sorted!
@@MagentaOtterTravels thanks Dara! 👍
Hope the sticky toffee pudding was everything you expected!! 😋👍
It was fantastic! I quite like the custard. Though it was a scorching hot day, so the ice cream was nice too!
Great video. On statues of historical figures in Manchester there’s also one of Friedrich Engels. Karl Marx and Engels formed a lot of their ideas on visits to Manchester
Yes, on our next trip with our sons we will definitely be visiting all the Karl Marx places! But I really want the town hall refurbishment to be finished so we can visit that as well!!!
I’m getting a bit emotional being “back” in Manchester. A special thank you to Aidan for the architecture knowledge.
Isn’t he brilliant?! I thought of you when I was headed up there. You were the first friend I knew that did any vlogs from Manny!
@@MagentaOtterTravels ♥️♥️
Thank you for sharing this video friend
Thanks for stopping by!
Loved Manchester, you should visit woodchester mansion gloucestershire, its architecture would interest Ian and it was also used in netflix the crown!.
Oh yes, I would love to! Ian just said it is "on our list" .... he is the curator of THE LIST! haha
On a side note of self-promotion, next Friday's video is of visiting two National Trust properties. One is in Gloucestershire and is also a filming location! ;-) Have a great weekend, Dara
Only noticed the Lambo SUV at 15:00 watching the vid, not while we were there. Surprising since I'm so auto obsessed.
You are a petrolhead, so I'm surprised too!
The only reason I visited Manchester was to see Salford Lads Club , we are going back again in July
I really want to go back with my sons so the 4 of us can recreate The Smiths photo shoot there!
(P.S. Sorry I pronounced it wrong :-( )
Moxy looks lovely…well chosen..as happy as Larry..
the 3 reasons we love staying at Moxy:
1. They are in city centres
2. They are cheap
3. They are magenta!!
@@MagentaOtterTravels they look reliable…and stylish…im definitely going to look for these..
Nearly as nice as Mollies Motel and diner in Oxfordshire..
Have long wanted to visit Manchester, in part for it’s music history, but this is really getting me jazzed on the architecture, too. Not to say we’re not aware that all of Britain has loads upon loads of amazing architecture. 😊
It does, but each area is different and some cities have particularly good architecture. This is one of ‘em 😉💖👍
Go, just go! I am from the city and she never ceases to amaze me with her vitality, friendliness and ability for reinvention. I promise you, you will NOT be disappointed. And don't be afraid when people, absolute strangers, talk to you out of the blue with a warm, twangy accent tinged with bouncy sarcasm.
@@stuartdandybenchillboy what a lovely thing to say! Thank you for your comment. Cheers! Dara
just expect rain even in summer ...i live 20 miles from the Center but i love it ..rain and all lol
if you go to Leeds make sure you go to the Royal Armouries
Thanks for the suggestion!👍
One of the best TH-cam videos I’ve seen on Manchester, and believe me I’ve watched many. As a Manc I will concede that there are cities in the U.K. that have better architecture, however Manchester also has many fine buildings. One of the problems is that because the city centre is so densely packed with often quite narrow streets, you don’t get the wide open spaces that allow you to stand back and view buildings from afar. The consequence of this is that unless you take your gaze away from street level and look up, you just don’t notice how fine some of the buildings are…..you did a great job in showing what the city has to offer architecturally, well done.
By the way, if you do come back, it’s worth visiting the Castlefield and the Ancoats areas for some fine Victorian architecture - the Oxford Rd / Whitworth St also has some fine buildings.
Thanks so much for your very kind words! And cheers also for the suggestions of where to visit next time. We'd love to return with our son Trent (whose birthday was yesterday) as we know he'd love it! If you haven't seen my Newcastle video, I hope you check it out as well, th-cam.com/video/RLJJnmaR0fU/w-d-xo.html
and please stay tuned because one day I will finally publish my Liverpool vlogs! I just have a lot of content I'm trying to catch up on editing ;-) Cheers! Dara
I for got to add that here is another fantastic channel that covers many of Manchesters historic buildings - this link th-cam.com/video/hOUUjL8EUGg/w-d-xo.html covers one of my favourite buildings. Has a great video on the Town Hall too.
Thank you for pointing out to your fellow Americans there is more to Britain than Buckingham Palace.
Indeed! Get beyond London, Stonehenge and Bath and see the beauty of the rest of Britain!
Thank you. I was born and have lived in Manchester all my life. It was a very austere existence for most of the population in the 1800s, and much of the 1900s. It developed people of a certain character.
Thanks for your comment. That is a beautiful and insightful perspective. Cheers, Dara
I have been wanting to visit that library in Manchester it is beautiful ❤
Yes! We highly recommend it! 👍
Congratulations on 5k, I thought I'd get in first this time 😉🤣 ( read this in a month or two ) 😁
Thanks, but I think you mean a year or two ;-)
@@MagentaOtterTravels we'll see !
What a great epic video of Manchester, except the end bit😉
what FC do you support?
@@MagentaOtterTravels I don't really as it's far to depressing, especially where I am
@@MagentaOtterTravels well seeing as we just won today I might just change my mind 🧠
🟥⬜🟥⬜🟥⬜🟥⬜🟥🤣
@@wencireone are you a Fairweather fan? I am! 😂
@@MagentaOtterTravels 🌤✔👍🤣
Cooperation street is such a vibe and you bring there gave me memories of a friend who passed by it every day to work
Nice experience indeed
Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment, Abdul! The best compliment I can receive on a travel vlog like this is when someone says it brings back happy memories and/or it makes them want to go visit! Cheers! Dara
Just reading the title, I’m going to say YES!
Haha, correct answer! Looks like you are playing catch-up and watching lots of videos! 💕
Loved the vid -Unfortunately you visited the football club that isn’t in Manchester 😁
Sorry, I'm a rubbish football fan... and sports fan in general... so I was bound to get that wrong! But hopefully you enjoy the other parts of the video! We loved visiting Manc. Cheers! Dara
Yes
Are you answering the question on the thumbnail? Spoiler: I agree!
My nephew and his girlfriend are big Man U fans, so I've seen numerous pics and video clips of their visits there!
Hopefully they appreciate the architecture too! You need to share my video so they will try brunch at Federal ;-)
We have seen a bust oh Ghandi in Mexico, but not a live-sized statue. Also, have never seen an Abe Lincoln statue. Very interesting!
Not surprised that both men have statues in their honour... but surprised to see them in Manchester!
Beautiful.
Cheers mate!
We seem to have very similar musical taste. Blue Monday is one of my favourite tracks, as is How Soon Is Now. I think we had the best music in the Eighties, but l suppose ever thinks the music of their youth is best!
Nah, 80's music really IS the best! haha
The list of Smiths/Morrissey tracks that I love would fill a page. My favourite New Order track is 1963. Substance is truly a classic.
The question is, do you have a gladioli in your back pocket?
@@lizbignell7813 ha ha, no. But I do appreciate the music! The Smiths were very groundbreaking. I never saw them in concert, but I did see Morrissey a couple times in Los Angeles.
You are one, or two, up on me. I have never seen him live.
Thanks.
Thank you!
I wonder how many Salfordians like me winced in pain at your pronunciation of our city's name! 😂
Great video aside from that! 👍🏻
Yes, that was the surprise pain from this video... no idea I was saying it wrong! But many folks have already given me grief about it. If it's any consolation, I'm sure that 100% of the people in Salford would say MY name wrong! haha
Thanks for watching! Cheers! XX Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels 😂
@@MagentaOtterTravels I have known people from the South of England also call it “Sal-ford”. To be fair that is how it is spelt, typical English non phonetic spelling. The locals tend to pronounce it “Sol-ford” in fact some of them pronounce it “Sol-fod”.
@@highvoltageswitcher6256Yeah... but it's also how "ball", "war", "fall" etc are spelled... 😁
Just to let you know that the renovation of the Town Hall is overrunning, and completion has been put back 2 years!
Noooooo! We are so anxious to see it! Are they saying 2026 now?
BTW we are driving up to Manchester tomorrow! 🙌
I have been wanting to visit Manchester because my British ancestors are from nearby Bolton and Bury. I think all those cities and towns look interesting.
That’s great to hear! I hope you enjoy the video. Please let me know what you think. Cheers! Dara
Well Manchester airport is all ready and waiting for you…
My ancestors are from Bury too
@@vickytaylor9155 I’ve been to Blackburn…I can’t sing the song very well…
@@vickytaylor9155 is that the place the famous black pudding is from?
Manchester doesn't get a bad rap, that's Liverpool, but even Liverpool does not deserve that.
Neither do. They have gone through a renaissance and are both very vibrant cities. I was just in Manchester again last Friday 😉.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels You and Ian are doing a great job with your trips around Britain videos. Only discovered your channel today.
@@mrforevernever517 thank you so much! I hope you check out my videos of Durham cathedral and Newcastle if you haven't already. Those are ones I am pretty proud of, and I think they show an interesting story of some other places that most American tourists never see. Most importantly, welcome to the Magenta Otter Tribe! Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Yes I certainly will 👍.
Hi Magenta Otter Travels. See you then.🙋♀🙋♀🛶🛶
Cheers! You can call me Dara 👍😉
Manchester is an industrial city in the past and not as nice as nicest some of the cities. Especially on a cold wet rainy day with grey skies it's miserable. But well worth a visit. A lot of the northern towns I like that.
And on a sunny summer day with blue skies, it can be lovely 🤗
I lived on Gloucester St salford and watched the smiths doing a video for that album ..they were on bicycles
No way! LUCKY!! 🍀
Thanks so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. And thanks also for not giving me grief about mispronouncing Salford !🤣 Cheers! Dara
Also .a friend of mine bought a house in stretford ..turns out it was morrisies mum and dad's..and found all his homework in the loft they contacted his agents and was told to keep them ..ive seen and held all of them
@@dennishoughton2548 noooooo waaaaay!!! That is SO FUN!!!
There was a Muriel mosaic of JFK in Birmingham centre…im not sure if its still there…my fridge has got a JFK sticker too.
JFK was another great president. Too bad he was assassinated in the city where we live! Dallas is known for a dumb TV show and killing a president. Sad!
@@Poliss95 good one!
@@Poliss95 you’re crazy!
It is still in Birmingham but was moved to Digbeth in the Irish quarter when they filled in the pedestrian underpass in Snow Hill some years ago and I believe shows JFK greeting the people
That's a posh way of saying Salford. I get the impression you like magenta. I've been boozing on a works Xmas do in that big tower. I've also been boozing in those 2 old pubs as well that were moved. Do you see a theme 😂 Been boozing and eating in the Chop house too 😂 I don't follow football much tho but have been to watch Man U a few times. I look forward to your Liverpool one because I went to University there many, many, many moons ago
I got so much grief for how we said Salford! hahaha... who knew?
We had a great time in Liverpool, but it will be donkeys before I get those videos published. I'm drowning in content and so far behind! There is no consecutive or chronological order with me. It's a bit haphazard! LOL
Thanks for watching! Dara
I recognised where you were in the "teaser" you posted. I worked for Manchester City Council for a lot of years and did my bit to make it a healthier happier place to live, so I love it very much, even though I've moved away. Can't help feeling you chose the "wrong" stadium to visit haha. So glad you visited and as usual treated it seriously and with respect.
Well, I was bound to make many people annoyed with my stadium choice, but... we just chose what was along our path driving to Liverpool! haha
How fun to hear that you work for the city council! We were SO impressed with the development in Manchester. The old buildings are so well preserved and the new ones are well integrated. The city was vibrant and fun to visit. Please share this video with anyone who you think might enjoy hearing this American tourist's perspective! Cheers! Dara
Haha love to hate Man Utd... Oh the joys of jealousy!@@MagentaOtterTravels
Dara , have you or Ian been to a British football match at all? Remember football isn't a matter of life and death...It's MUCH more important!! (A quote from Sir Alf Ramsey!!)...
Did you also buy a Manchester UTD dinner decoration?? Looks good in the middle of the table!!😅😅😅😅😅
We haven't yet, but I'd like to go to a match.
Sorry, we didn't buy any Manchester United souvenirs! I actually don't buy very many souvenirs at all because I'm such an extreme minimalist!
If you like magenta and you like steam trains, you should look at the Steam train on the Severn Valley Railway.
Aye, someone else told me I needed to check that out!!
Many movies have used that street resembling NYC and other parts of Manchester due to resembling NYC.
Really? That is so funny! I believe it. Thanks for letting me know! Cheers! Dara
Very true, the Northern Quarter has been used as a substitute for NY several times - I remember them filming Captain America there when I lived in the city centre.