Short city break - Manchester or London?

[FrenchPear]

I am going for a three night stay somewhere. Flying to either Gatwick or Manchester. Booking a decent hotel. The idea is to have some down time, eat, have a few drinks, stroll around. Solo trip for myself.

Never been to either city, any recommendations? If London, what area is good without being over the top expensive?

I'd appreciate any advice.

For London it is a lot cheaper to stay further out and get the tube or DLR in. We often stay over near Canary Wharf.

I love both London & Manchester.

Placemarking as I'm doing a similar trip to Manchester in a few weeks, so I'm selfishly hoping to get some Manchester tips!

What is your budget for accommodation?

I don't really have a budget as such. I'm happy with something four star, decent location, clean. I prefer hotels. I don't really know either city, so I'm not sure what to expect price wise.

Obviously the more central in London, I expect to be £££££!

London if you've not been before (unless it clashes with half term, which can be a bit chaotic). Manchester is great, but London is a world class city with a lot to see and do.

I'm starting to think that Manchester might suit me more right now. I want zero hassle and just want to unwind. Even getting from Gatwick into the city, then to the hotel etc when I don't know it.

Meant to say - Coal Drops Yard near Kings Cross is great for wandering around, lots of great places to eat there. There's a good Premier Inn and a Hub right there, which is handy.

A more basic Travelodge at Seven Dials is great for shopping, theatre and just being a flaneur in general - Monmouth Coffee is my favourite place to rest my feet in that area. The pre-theatre set menus at loads of the restaurants can be amazing value. Cafe Murano by the Royal Opera House (Angela Hartnett's gaff) is £38 for three courses. I eat there solo quite a lot.

If flying into Manchester i'd be tempted to throw in Chester as an option too. It's very pretty.

Manchester if only staying in the city and walking/ getting the tram then have a nosey in the central library. It's a big round building next to the town hall. If you like this kind of things there's the art museum too. Manchester uni museum is free entry and has mummies etc. Other museums in the centre inc the football museum and the police museum. There's also the museum of science and industry but for an adult now they've got rid of all places it's not worth it.

King street, st. Annes square, Deansgate and the Arndale centre are the main shopping places. There's the Trafford centre too but you'd have to get the tram, bus uber etc. You'd have to have a look in Afflecks palace just so you can at least say you've been.

You can go for a tour around man united or city's ground. Arrange in advance if you're into that.

I'd probably stay in one of the hotels at st. Peter's square or the Hilton on Deansgate with one of the rooms that gives (or used to give) lounge access. Cloud 23 for a drink and a nice view there too. Both the opera house and palace theatres are walking distance if you want to watch something at one of those. Royal exchange theatre too.

Salford quays is nice also. There's a shopping area, the lowry and the imperial war museum. Again a tram ride.

With the choice of both i'd opt for London because i'm so use to Manchester and because there is miles more to do and see in London but i guess it depends what you want out of your trip.

Have a great time either way.

If you feel like going fancy in Manchester, the Gotham Hotel in the old Midland Bank, designed by Lutyens, is an art deco masterpiece. Priced accordingly, but it really was the most beautiful building to laze around in.

Both will be great.

London - easy to get around but more spread out. For the main sights be somewhere central. Lots to see and do, an open top hop on hop off bus might be good and you can get off and on at the main sights.

Manchester, stay in the centre around Picadilly and the Northern quarter. Wander about the city, do a walking tour. Some nice museums and galleries all walking distance or easy enough to jump on a tram or the free bus.

I really like Manchester. Obviously there isn’t the big tourist attractions but for shopping, art galleries and a good museum you can’t go wrong. 1 day of city centre shopping, one day of museum and galleries and a day at the Trafford Centre 👍🏻. Loads of great eateries too. City centre all walkable

If in Manchester, I recommend a walking tour. There are free ones daily at 11am that meet at the Alan Turing statue. There's so much to know about the city. Also many paid ones.

City centre is very walkable and there are 2 free buses on circular routes. If you might go further afield download the Bee Network app.

Chethams Library (medieval)
John Rylands Library (Victorian neo gothic)

Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Museum
The Jewish Museum
Salford Museum and Art Gallery for Lark Hill (reconstructed Victorian street) - bus ride from city centre
People's History Museum
Imperial War Museum North - tram from city centre

Royal Exchange Theatre - go in during the day even if youre not seeing a play
The Lowry (art gallery and theatre) - tram to Salford Quays
Palace Theatre and Opera House for big shows

Definitely enough to keep you busy for a couple of days 🙂

Id vote Manchester - great city! King street townhouse is a fab hotel with a heated roof top pool

Manchester is a dive. Went to uni there and lived there for a year after graduating. It was ok-ish then. Now the whole place just feels depressing, boring and, in places, menacing.

Have you been recently? I feel it has a real buzz about it now. Doesn’t seem like a dive to me at all.

If you've never been to London, then it's a no brainer. It's a sensational city and it needn't be scary or chaotic. Transport is cheap, easy and world class. There are quiet bits too, but for atmosphere, history and location spotting, there's nowhere like it.

Liverpool is fab for a city break and not far from Manchester airport

Thanks so much for all the replies!

I was thinking of Liverpool too but the flights aren't as easy as Manchester.

For what I want for this trip, I think Manchester might be the way to go. I'm excited! 😊

I was thinking of Liverpool too but the flights aren't as easy as Manchester.

It's very easy to get between the two cities by train.

You can get a train from Manchester Piccadilly station to Liverpool. Chester is also accessible by train from that station too. There are also two free bus services that go around the city of Manchester. These are yellow buses with a bee 🐝 on the exteriors

and Manchester is by no means a dive at all.

The free buses are free bus number 1 and free bus number 2.

I’m a Mancunian and love the city but I’d still say London.

There is no comparison in terms of interesting things to do museums/art galleries. Plus all the shows!

Manchester hotel prices vary greatly if there’s something big on in the city - Man Utd match, concert at one of the big venues etc.
i feel like you could “do” Manchester in a weekend but you’d barely scratch the surface of London.

If you flew into Gatwick, you would just take a train straight to Victoria and then you could stay at the DoubleTree Hilton which is literally just outside the station. You've got Hamilton or Wicked on your doorstep, plus walkable to sights - St James Park/Buckingham Palace, a stroll around Sloane Square, Houses of Parliament if that's your thing....it's really easy.

I would visit Liverpool over Manchester any day…..I agree with a pp….Manchester is pretty grim …..and yes I’ve been recently…was there at Christmas