Trip to Manchester

[Cinders22]

I am planning to come to Manchester next Saturday to visit the Christmas Market and have a look around with the DC.

We are travelling by train and it looks as if there are 4 stations in Manchester City Centre - any advice as to which is the best to travel to so we will be in the centre of things when we arrive?

Also, has anyone been to the markets - I am wondering if it is all spread out/worth the visit?

Thank you.

I think the markets are really naff… but picadilly would be the best station.

Train to Piccadilly and then only a few minutes walk to the city centre where all the markets are this year. Be warned though…. it’s mad busy!

Piccadilly or Victoria
Pace yourself as the markets get rammed so take some time out to do something else too

If this is intended as a day out for the DC I'd advise against it. The crowds will exhaust you and everything good will be taken as everyone will have the same idea to get there first

To be honest it doesn't massively matter. If for example the train from your home station takes you to Deansgate, I wouldn't bother changing at Deansgate to go to Picadilly, I'd just walk - it's quite a nice walk.

But if you have a direct train to them all, then I'd go to Picadilly.

And obviously I actually mean Piccadilly.

How old are the DC? Teens, then yeah it's ok but busy. Toddlers/ primary school then I really wouldn't bother. And a pram? Absolutely not.

Wait until the weekend and go to the smaller Makers Market out at Media City in Salford. It’s all individual independent places and much nicer than the mass produced ones in the city centre.

Be prepared for it to be ridiculously busy , there are a few dotted about but I believe Piccadilly is the main one this year . In my experience the one nearest to Victoria not as busy .

Thanks everyone, I am feeling undecided now.

DC are teenagers so mostly want to look around, eat, change of scenery, eat oh and eat. We have been unwell with Covid so I was just looking for something to try and get us in the Christmas mood.

@gettingolderandgrumpy
Are there lots of small Christmas markets dotted around the town centre?

www.google.co.uk/search?q=manchester+christmas+markets+map+2021&client=safari&hl=en-gb&ei=zIOaYez0GpyFxc8Px-yB4AI&oq=manchester+christmas+markets+map+&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADIFCAAQgAQyBggAEBYQHjIFCCEQoAE6BAgAEEc6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOgoIABCxAxCDARBDOgQIABBDOgsILhCABBDHARCvAVDhCljWF2DPIWgAcAF4AIABggGIAdsDkgEDNC4xmAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp#imgrc=o7UGXYh-83vf7M

Teens should be ok.
We are taking ours in a few weeks but we are staying over too so will break it up a bit

The markets aren't great this year (imagine it will be the same for the next couple of years) as we've lost Albert square/ they've moved some to Piccadilly gardens but it's just full of spice heads.

However if you are set on it Victoria is probably best, where is the hotel ?

The markets near Urbis are the best ones, they have a little bit of everything and are usually quieter than others, they have been for the last 4-5 years anyway. You’re right near the Arndale then too, and Printworks so if you get fed up you can just dive into the shops/restaurants or a super cheap cinema!

The markets are okay but definitely not a must do in my opinion, I just go for one mulled wine then leave!