parking in Manchester

[mogwai]

My husband and I are going into Manchester on my birthday next week. In the past, we always left our car at a tram station and got the metro.

Having ventured alone into Manchester on the tram last week (from Navigation road), I now realise we have no chance of getting onto a return tram with the buggy after a day out shopping/lunching. The return trams (about 4.15pm) were jam packed and I saw a poor mother unable to board with her three-wheeler due to lack of space.

Where can we park that will have spaces late morning? I used to use the large car park at the top of Deansgate (opposite the church) but it was always very busy, even on Sundays. I'd love to know of an alternative car park that is safe and well lit, with easy access for buggies. I can't remember how pram-friendly the G-Mex car park is (I remember lots of steps) and no idea whether this place is packed out on weekdays??

It's a while since I've parked in manchester as I usually get the tram too - when I have it's been in teh big multi-storey behind Kendals or the one at the end of Deansgate by the Ramada hotel. I can't remember how buggy friendly they are as, tbh, I never take the kids into town. We usually get out of the Ramada one via steps but it could have a lift I don't know about.

Its a bit sneaky, but we have taken to parking in the Museum of Science and Industry Car Park, its very handy and only £5 all day.

We do look at some of the exhibits sometimes.....

thanks for the ideas

The multi storey at the Ramada is bloody awful isn't it? I mean, it's ok when you don't have kids or when you have a bloke with you. I just find the stairwell a bit gloomy.

Didn't know there was a multi storey behind Kendals...and the museum is a GREAT idea.....are there usually some spaces there?

yeah loads. it is outdoor but you can get undercover quickly

the best thing is how cheap it is

always feel like a philistine as walk back through the gate with shopping bags though

yeah but think of all the science that went into the manufacturing of those plastic bags, and the retail industry that your shopping is helping prop up

the toys r us/ mothercare/ argos shopping centre is a big outdoor car park on great ancoats street its at the other end of manchester but its free and ok if you dont mind a walk obviously it depends where you are going .can park here all day cause you could quite easily spend all day in the shops there

There is a great carpark on Dale Street ( near Picadilly Train Station ) which is very cheap, about £4 for all day parking on a Saturday. I don't drive myself but my dad does and he always uses it if we go into the city centre.

You can also find a list of carparks on www.city-visitor.com/manchester just type parking in the buisness type search box.

I always park in the gmex. There is ramps and a lift/escalator up so you'll be fine.

great replies as usual

Got stuck in a very old lift with baby when she was about 3 weeks old, so I don't do lifts, which makes life quite difficult with a pram as you can imagine (was also stuck in a lift in a hotel in Sydney a couple of years ago, there's a theme here...)

Has no-one else noticed how funny this thread title sounds? Days out reccomendations - parking in Manchester. Fun for all the family! Sorry.

nothing I like better than parking up Floss

The science museum was just the ticket, thanks