Where to park near the university of Manchester? (Open day tomorrow)

[TomTomThumb]

Any suggestions for a car park close to the Uni, ideally near the maths department?
Everywhere will be busy with train strikes.
Hoping to get there at 9ish.
TIA

you could try Charles St car park near the Gay Village. A bit grim so not badly priced but less busy since they moved out of the old Umist campus. Also Piccadilly station is really not far at all! about 15mins walk

Tram is best idea.
Parking is a nightmare.

Another vote for aquatics center.
If it were me, I would check out accomodation blocks rather than the city center so that your DC has an idea of the standard and rough idea of where they are in relation to the Alan Turing building as they can be pretty spread out. I wouldn't bother driving in the actual center, but anywhere from the aquatics center back towards Owens park will be fine

Just to add there is a big gala at the aquatics centre tomorrow with an early warm up so imagine the aquatics centre car park will be busy

Manchester seems to be the place to be tomorrow!

I think you're either brave or naive. I'm a reasonably confident driver but Manchester is hellish. If I have to go I do one of the pre bookable 'park at my place' and get the tram/bus. People are not exaggerating when they advise you not to drive and you are likely to get a fine. Unless you know the city very well I would avoid the city centre. It's reduced me to tears in the past and I've missed ticketed events (I know I sound like a drama queen but I'm not usually!). It could well spoil the day and be your overriding impression. I would take the stress off and use public transport so that you can focus on the open day itself. Good luck

Manchester City centre is a living nightmare yo drive around.

From the University you can walk down Oxford Road into the city centre in around 20 minutes. The city is small so very easy to walk around.

Yep echo what others say about not driving.

If you want to explore I would suggest heading to the northern quarter and surrounding area. Market street is the main shopping street with the arndale centre. Deansgate another main area. King street/ st annes square and spinning fields more upmarket bits.
Ancoats/new Islington are more hipster areas but slightly out of the city same side as northern quarter. Afflecks palace always good for a bit of a mooch. Depot mayfield for people watch bit of food maybe.

What time are you arriving? If after 10.30 I can DM you about some free on-street parking on campus where you might get a spot . Otherwise I would stick with Booth Street West (entrance on Higher Cambridge Street) even though it’s £££. Usually quieter than the Aquatic Centre. Charles Street used to be cheap, but the prices increased and it stinks of piss.

Mind the bus gateway – you can’t drive on Oxford Road itself. You can walk into town pretty easily – maybe 20mins? Or if you only want to be in town for a quick nosy after the open day then you get 90mins free at the Aldi on Ancoats. You can walk to all the best coffee shops (Trove, Pollen) from there, and have a little wander in the Northern Quarter.

There is a new large (ish) open air car park on Cecil St behind the university and Manchester Museum - they seem to have closed the one near to the Academy - I assume this in place of it. You can walk through on to Oxford Rd via the garden area.

DS did his post grad at Manchester and used the Aquatics Centre car park on the days he drove in for lectures.

As everyone above has said, the city is a nightmare to navigate in a car especially if you are new to it. Even for regular drivers - roads you have been down a week before seem to miraculously close and/or become a no access route or allow for a bus lane. There are roadworks all over the show which doesn't help.

I tend to park on the outskirts of the NQ and walk in. Unless I really can't be bothered and will then park in the Tib St NCP and pay an eye watering amount to do so.

Good Luck @TomTomThumb - enjoy your day. It's an amazing city.

The route to the NCP Manchester Circle Square car park looks very straightforward, or am I missing something?

We plan to get there at 9ish

Yes just watch the junction getting on Mancunian Way, can be a bit tricky. But otherwise good as avoiding city centre roads. Best wishes-have a great day! My son did his postgrad at Manchester and has settled in Northern Quarter. It’s a great city for young people.

It is bringing you in via the ring road/Mancunian Way. It is a clear route and you will miss out all of the nonsense in the centre. I haven't been down the Mancunian Way for a few weeks so not sure about any roadworks, although it should still be relatively quiet if you are aiming for 9am.

That looks like it takes you on the Mancunian Way (flyover), so yeah that's doable.

Whatever you do - don't drive into the city centre proper (it's a struggle for someone who's lived here 20 years) and don't drive down Oxford Road (closed to all traffic except buses, you'll get a massive fine).

Places to hang out: Oxford Road and around is nice for students, Manchester Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery both on Oxford Road. Hatch is near the MMU campus but check it's open (I read something about it closing but not sure). The Refuge is great for food and drinks (probs too pricey for the average student but a nice treat), it's further down Oxford Road/Oxford Street as you head towards the city centre. HOME is a nice arts centre (does nice food too) but a 15 min walk from campus, behind Oxford Road station. Northern Quarter is 'cool' but a good 30 minute walk from campus so probs not worth it on the open day itself.

I live about 3 miles out of the city centre. My advice is street park in Withington or Fallowfield and jump on a bus along Wilmslow Rd. Easy!

I also agree. DO NOT TRY AND DRIVE THROUGH THE CITY CENTRE. I guarantee you will get a ticket.

Street park on the roads I have underlined and hop on bus on Wilmslow Rd heading into Manchester.

Don't drive. It'll hurt your brain. We only live 10 miles away and always take the tram or bus. Much nicer and far less stressful.

Got to echo everyone and say be very careful about driving on Oxford road, it's easy to do and you will get a ticket! It's easy (one road!) to walk into the centre from the uni, so just do that after you park.

Dependent on what time you go, you would probably get street parking off booth st towards Hulme, but I get you may not feel confident doing that if coming a long way. If not, aquatics centre a good shout. The campus isn't that big though, so any car park is fine really. But because of the Tory conference etc, try and park south, before you get to the centre.

And whatever you do, do not drive down Oxford road! You WILL get a ticket!

circle square is very £££. If you're coming in from the south you are pretty much driving past Booth St West, which is a fair bit cheaper and on campus. I'd try there first, and you can drive on if needed. The Mancunian way junctions are ridiculously close together and it helps to be aware of that to get the right one first time. It's a bit easier now the limit is 30, but then that means you always get someone on your bumper who still wants to take it at 50.

Have a brilliant day - I came to university at Manchester in 1996 from the other end of the country and ended up settling here. It's such a great place for students.

I parked at aquatics centre earlier this year also for an open day with a train strike. Went early arrived for open day start time, absolutely no issue getting a space. Left around 3 and still loads of spaces

@TheTurn0fTheScrew ,@Bigpinkslippers
I'm now tempted by Booth St. West or the aquatics centre.
Just to add to my fun, I am driving a new (second hand) car which I only picked up this week.
Is either of these particularly awkward to get into or park in as that might be a deciding factor?

No not at all, both fine

Both Booth St and the Aquatic are pretty decently proportioned.