Which one to visit- Manchester, Liverpool or Glasgow for a day!
Feb 7th, 2006, 08:31 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which one to visit- Manchester, Liverpool or Glasgow for a day!
Hi All, a friend is coming to see me the week before st particks day in Dublin and I thought we would hop over to england for the day and she is looking forward to it. We can leave at an early 8am ish flight and come back later in the evening 8-9pm. Which of the above places would offer the most to entertain us for a day of shopping, museums and a nice meal. I am curious about liverpool and know that Glasgow is meant to be nice. I have no idea about manchester. What are the merits and things to do in each city??? Its approx 37-50 euro to fly over for the day RT
Feb 7th, 2006, 08:51 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It depends what your priorities are.
Liverpool, 99.9% of the time, wins hands down. No city on this planet produces finer people, its pubs are glorious and UNESCO has officially designated a World Heritage site (more than Manchester or Glasgow can say). It has more museums - and more Listed Buildings - than anywhere in Britain. outside London. Beating Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury and even, technically, Edinburgh. Glasgow and Manchester aren't even in the same league.
But its shopping's crap. Liverpudlians with sense (not notoriously our best-known quality) would go practicaly anywhere else - even to Dublin - to shop. And the fact that the whole city's being rebuilt right now makes the shopping worse. BUT, while there's no Brown Thomas equivalent, Liverpool's Wade Smith does operate closer to the cutting edge of street coolth than anything I've seen in Dublin.
Glasgow doesn't have many museums, and in most other respects is an almost-OK clone of Liverpool (Glaswegians wouod make a similar point, with rather less grace). But, to be honest, the Burrell (a bit out of the way if you're in a rush) has more stuff worth seeing than all Liverpool's put together (unless you're a Victorian painting fan: Liverpool's Walker and the Lady Lever at Port Sunlight are globally outstanding for that era). Its shopping's better, and no-one's making a mess of its shopping streets.
I can't think of any reason for going to Manchester, except to get a plane out. But some might accuse me of Liverpudlian bias.
Liverpool, 99.9% of the time, wins hands down. No city on this planet produces finer people, its pubs are glorious and UNESCO has officially designated a World Heritage site (more than Manchester or Glasgow can say). It has more museums - and more Listed Buildings - than anywhere in Britain. outside London. Beating Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury and even, technically, Edinburgh. Glasgow and Manchester aren't even in the same league.
But its shopping's crap. Liverpudlians with sense (not notoriously our best-known quality) would go practicaly anywhere else - even to Dublin - to shop. And the fact that the whole city's being rebuilt right now makes the shopping worse. BUT, while there's no Brown Thomas equivalent, Liverpool's Wade Smith does operate closer to the cutting edge of street coolth than anything I've seen in Dublin.
Glasgow doesn't have many museums, and in most other respects is an almost-OK clone of Liverpool (Glaswegians wouod make a similar point, with rather less grace). But, to be honest, the Burrell (a bit out of the way if you're in a rush) has more stuff worth seeing than all Liverpool's put together (unless you're a Victorian painting fan: Liverpool's Walker and the Lady Lever at Port Sunlight are globally outstanding for that era). Its shopping's better, and no-one's making a mess of its shopping streets.
I can't think of any reason for going to Manchester, except to get a plane out. But some might accuse me of Liverpudlian bias.
Feb 7th, 2006, 11:22 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In fear of speaking the blindingly obvious if you're thinking of taking a day trip to England, you won't end up in Glasgow. However, should you see thelight, you won't findit quite the "also ran" Flanner is making it out to be.
Glasgow is Scotland’s happening place and it was also the European City of Architecture in 1999, and the City of Culture in 1990, after hosting the Garden Festival in 1988. Liverpool has done all these things, just not so fast or so well
There is an east/ west split in Scotland, which leads to intense rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Edinburgh is the ancient capital and Glasgow is the largest city. Glasgow’s fame is 19th century because of industrial grandeur and imperialism it’s often said that Scots built the Empire.
Also the industrialisation coincided with the Irish potato famine, and hundreds of thousands of Irish people came to Scotland and especially Glasgow, leading to a second split- Catholic/Protestant. Scotland had a fairly robust Reformation leaving few Catholic families here, and the arrival of hundreds of thousands into the midst of Calvinist Scotland was a shock we have not yet quite got over. It’s one of the reasons that there has never been an IRA atrocity north of the Border- everyone in Northern Ireland is related to someone in Glasgow. It’s said that if you tell people in Glasgow that you are a Jew, you are likely to be asked if you are a Catholic Jew or a Protestant Jew. There are two main football teams, which split along the same divide
Things to do- Architecture
In Glasgow you start with Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Lots of Art Nouveau buildings and other design. The best building is the Glasgow School of Art, (good from the outside but tours 11am and 2 pm(Sat 10.30am))but others include, Queen’s Cross Church, the Mackintosh House(this was his house and shows what a complete artist he was. He designed almost everything in it); Scotland Street School (now a museum of education Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 2-5pm); the Willow Tearooms; Martyr’s Public School; House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park
The Lighthouse is the gallery established for the year of architecture.
The area from the city centre down to the river is now known as the Merchant City- lots of neo-classical 18th century stuff. West of the city centre there’s a grid of fine town houses built when the great unwashed pushed the fine folk out of the centre- lots of Georgian elegance. Another great Glasgow architect was Alexander “Greek” Thomson who worked in the second half of the 19th century. Lots of examples-fusing classical and eastern. Look at St Vincent Street Church.
The Tenement Museum is owned by the National Trust. Lots of central Glasgow was 19th century tenement buildings. The lady who owned this one died about 20 years ago, and it was discovered to be untouched since about the turn of the last century. It’s an absolute time capsule.
Other culture/ history
The People’s Palace- late 19th century museum of social history with its Winter Gardens next door (10-5 daily)
The Necropolis- Based on Pere Lachaise, it’s stunning; high on a hill overlooking the City.
The Burrell Museum in Pollock Park
The Museum of Modern Art
Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
You also need to know about the Glasgow Boys. It’s said that the Royal Scottish Academy (artists) wouldn’t take anyone from the west coast in the 19th century. A school of painting based on impressionism grew up in Glasgow around 5 painters- Guthrie, Lavery, Hornel, Henry and Crawhall in the 1870s. Best examples in Kelvingrove.
Other options
1. Shop. Glasgow is the shopping city to die for.
2. Transport Museum
3. Botanic Gardens
4. Hunterian Museum
5. Fossil Park
6. Glasgow Horror Walking Tour
7. Waverley (paddle steamer trips down the Clyde- there’s even a song about it)
Food- For quality Glasgow’s probably better than Edinburgh
Nairn’s TV chef quality Scottish produce simply cooked
One Devonshire Gardens- “contemporary, vogueish and stylish”
The Ubiquitous Chip- in Glasgow society for serious people watching
Rogano- THE Glasgow restaurant
There are lots of others but I have restricted myself to the ones I know about. There are in addition some great Indian restaurants- the Ashoka West End (watch out there are others with similar names) and the Shish Mahal are but 2.
There are some great Chinese too. My favourite is the Loon Fung in Sauchiehall Street.
Everyone speaks to you in Glasgow- usually too much! They have a language all of their own, and no-one is admired as much as those who are “gallus” (you find out what it means, and explain it to me please) You will find the approach every where in taxis, shops, cafes, clubs, talking to policemen, just everywhere. If you are there at the weekend, you should go to the Barrows (Barras) a market with about 1000 stalls. Don’t buy, and hold onto your wallet. Go to watch and listen and have breakfast in one of the nearby caffs.
There used to be a great tradition of neighbourhood cafes, often Italian. Ones to look for/try are Coia’s in Duke Street and D’Jaconelli in Maryhill Rd. Understand these are greasy spoons, not sought out for cuisine especially.
Glasgow is the home of the Scottish pub. They are all worth trying, but these are some of the best- definition of best here is “Glasgow”-
The Halt Bar in Woodlands Road
The Corinthian in Ingram Street
The Scotia (my favourite- folk music, writers and journalists) Stockwell Street
The Saracen’s Head (wan singer, wan song) Gallowgate
The Bon Accord- for the beer. N Street(now a slip road of the motorway)
Tennents in Byres Road
If you want folk music try the Scotia or the Clutha Vaults nearby. For a ceilidh try the Renfrew Ferry (a real ferry moored on the river. Every Friday night) or the Riverside.
Glasgow is a big city. It has everything you might like to find. Bits of it are rough, so you need to be careful about where you go late at night. The people are probably about the most friendly in the world. It has a small city centre underground known as the Clockwork Orange. (You’ll see why)
There’s a fortnightly magazine called the List, which has all the current stuff in it for Edinburgh and Glasgow. Buy it as you get off the plane.
Glasgow is Scotland’s happening place and it was also the European City of Architecture in 1999, and the City of Culture in 1990, after hosting the Garden Festival in 1988. Liverpool has done all these things, just not so fast or so well
There is an east/ west split in Scotland, which leads to intense rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Edinburgh is the ancient capital and Glasgow is the largest city. Glasgow’s fame is 19th century because of industrial grandeur and imperialism it’s often said that Scots built the Empire.
Also the industrialisation coincided with the Irish potato famine, and hundreds of thousands of Irish people came to Scotland and especially Glasgow, leading to a second split- Catholic/Protestant. Scotland had a fairly robust Reformation leaving few Catholic families here, and the arrival of hundreds of thousands into the midst of Calvinist Scotland was a shock we have not yet quite got over. It’s one of the reasons that there has never been an IRA atrocity north of the Border- everyone in Northern Ireland is related to someone in Glasgow. It’s said that if you tell people in Glasgow that you are a Jew, you are likely to be asked if you are a Catholic Jew or a Protestant Jew. There are two main football teams, which split along the same divide
Things to do- Architecture
In Glasgow you start with Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Lots of Art Nouveau buildings and other design. The best building is the Glasgow School of Art, (good from the outside but tours 11am and 2 pm(Sat 10.30am))but others include, Queen’s Cross Church, the Mackintosh House(this was his house and shows what a complete artist he was. He designed almost everything in it); Scotland Street School (now a museum of education Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 2-5pm); the Willow Tearooms; Martyr’s Public School; House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park
The Lighthouse is the gallery established for the year of architecture.
The area from the city centre down to the river is now known as the Merchant City- lots of neo-classical 18th century stuff. West of the city centre there’s a grid of fine town houses built when the great unwashed pushed the fine folk out of the centre- lots of Georgian elegance. Another great Glasgow architect was Alexander “Greek” Thomson who worked in the second half of the 19th century. Lots of examples-fusing classical and eastern. Look at St Vincent Street Church.
The Tenement Museum is owned by the National Trust. Lots of central Glasgow was 19th century tenement buildings. The lady who owned this one died about 20 years ago, and it was discovered to be untouched since about the turn of the last century. It’s an absolute time capsule.
Other culture/ history
The People’s Palace- late 19th century museum of social history with its Winter Gardens next door (10-5 daily)
The Necropolis- Based on Pere Lachaise, it’s stunning; high on a hill overlooking the City.
The Burrell Museum in Pollock Park
The Museum of Modern Art
Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
You also need to know about the Glasgow Boys. It’s said that the Royal Scottish Academy (artists) wouldn’t take anyone from the west coast in the 19th century. A school of painting based on impressionism grew up in Glasgow around 5 painters- Guthrie, Lavery, Hornel, Henry and Crawhall in the 1870s. Best examples in Kelvingrove.
Other options
1. Shop. Glasgow is the shopping city to die for.
2. Transport Museum
3. Botanic Gardens
4. Hunterian Museum
5. Fossil Park
6. Glasgow Horror Walking Tour
7. Waverley (paddle steamer trips down the Clyde- there’s even a song about it)
Food- For quality Glasgow’s probably better than Edinburgh
Nairn’s TV chef quality Scottish produce simply cooked
One Devonshire Gardens- “contemporary, vogueish and stylish”
The Ubiquitous Chip- in Glasgow society for serious people watching
Rogano- THE Glasgow restaurant
There are lots of others but I have restricted myself to the ones I know about. There are in addition some great Indian restaurants- the Ashoka West End (watch out there are others with similar names) and the Shish Mahal are but 2.
There are some great Chinese too. My favourite is the Loon Fung in Sauchiehall Street.
Everyone speaks to you in Glasgow- usually too much! They have a language all of their own, and no-one is admired as much as those who are “gallus” (you find out what it means, and explain it to me please) You will find the approach every where in taxis, shops, cafes, clubs, talking to policemen, just everywhere. If you are there at the weekend, you should go to the Barrows (Barras) a market with about 1000 stalls. Don’t buy, and hold onto your wallet. Go to watch and listen and have breakfast in one of the nearby caffs.
There used to be a great tradition of neighbourhood cafes, often Italian. Ones to look for/try are Coia’s in Duke Street and D’Jaconelli in Maryhill Rd. Understand these are greasy spoons, not sought out for cuisine especially.
Glasgow is the home of the Scottish pub. They are all worth trying, but these are some of the best- definition of best here is “Glasgow”-
The Halt Bar in Woodlands Road
The Corinthian in Ingram Street
The Scotia (my favourite- folk music, writers and journalists) Stockwell Street
The Saracen’s Head (wan singer, wan song) Gallowgate
The Bon Accord- for the beer. N Street(now a slip road of the motorway)
Tennents in Byres Road
If you want folk music try the Scotia or the Clutha Vaults nearby. For a ceilidh try the Renfrew Ferry (a real ferry moored on the river. Every Friday night) or the Riverside.
Glasgow is a big city. It has everything you might like to find. Bits of it are rough, so you need to be careful about where you go late at night. The people are probably about the most friendly in the world. It has a small city centre underground known as the Clockwork Orange. (You’ll see why)
There’s a fortnightly magazine called the List, which has all the current stuff in it for Edinburgh and Glasgow. Buy it as you get off the plane.
Feb 8th, 2006, 12:23 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sheila...my sincerest apologies as I added Glasgow to the list last minute and was only thinking of England at first...I humbly apologise! I bloody well should know better!
OK so Manchester seems out of the count as no one has a word to say about it. Flanneruk...Brown Thomas is like a joke on the Irish here. They charge more than most shops and you could get it all cheaper on the continent. Jimmy Choo's are out of my range along with Brown Thomas. Rich foreigners seem to shop there and us lasdies get our Make-up but that is it.
OK so Manchester seems out of the count as no one has a word to say about it. Flanneruk...Brown Thomas is like a joke on the Irish here. They charge more than most shops and you could get it all cheaper on the continent. Jimmy Choo's are out of my range along with Brown Thomas. Rich foreigners seem to shop there and us lasdies get our Make-up but that is it.
Feb 8th, 2006, 12:35 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Visit the waterfront in Liverpool. Shipping archives are available where you may seek out ancestor's records. Europeans came to Liverpool and then voyaged on to the USA. Don't overlook Manchester, great football! The International Exhibition place may be having a car show! Find out what is playing there.
Feb 8th, 2006, 01:03 AM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might find the answers I got here helpful also (or at least somewhat related):
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34746110
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34746110
Feb 8th, 2006, 01:40 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Manchester has the largest student population in Europe, so there are plenty of clubs for them.
There are excellent Chinese restaurants and of course there is the famous Curry Mile in Rusholme.
The shopping is fine too.
I must admit that I much prefer Manchester to Liverpool.
There are excellent Chinese restaurants and of course there is the famous Curry Mile in Rusholme.
The shopping is fine too.
I must admit that I much prefer Manchester to Liverpool.
Feb 9th, 2006, 02:13 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was wondering about that for a girlie day out. Shop and eat and just wander around. Edinburgh is also cheap for a day but I have been several times and want to try somewhere we both have not visited. She lived in London some years back so that was off the list.
Feb 9th, 2006, 04:54 AM
#10
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great info on Glasgow from Sheila. I would rate the contenders 1) Glasgow, 2) Manchester, 3) Liverpool. My husband worked in Manchester for a year and I used to really enjoy spending weekends there - I can give you more info on it if you're interested. IMO Liverpool is rather depressing & hasn't got much going for it if you're not interested in the Beatles; although it does currently have Antony Gormley's amazing installation 'Another Place' along 2 miles of Crosby beach, & it would be the easiest to get to.
Feb 9th, 2006, 05:35 AM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
P.S. If you are interested in contemporary art, Glasgow has a very lively scene - more details available if required. Also lots of good modern theatre at the Citizens, the Arches, the Tron and the Tramway; plus the 'A Play, A Pie and a Pint' season of lunchtime theatre at Oran Mor.
Feb 14th, 2006, 05:56 AM
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apologies - my reply is a question since Shelia's posting raised my interest in Glasgow. We plan to travel Birmingham -London - Endinburgh and fly out of Glasgow this June. We have only 8 days (tagging onto school trip)with well traveled, spirited 16 year old and 14 year old....open to all advice - daughter loves theatre, literature, funky clothes - son loves cars, tennis, art, music. Also, a spot where daughter and dad can golf (they are good) and son and I can hike nearby would be welcome.
Since we have to fly into Birmingham (ff tickets) and our daughter will alredy be in London, should she travel to us so we can see STratford, or could we do that as we depart London and then hook up with a train from there to Edinburgh?
Thanks for all advice!
Since we have to fly into Birmingham (ff tickets) and our daughter will alredy be in London, should she travel to us so we can see STratford, or could we do that as we depart London and then hook up with a train from there to Edinburgh?
Thanks for all advice!
Feb 15th, 2006, 05:20 AM
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Siobhan,
I'm a dubliner like you,but i have friends who live in Glasgow and I hop over to see them regularly , I think glasgow is great place, loads of lovely shops, lovely restaurants and so on. I'm not sure if you've been to Edinburgh, but if not maybe you should consider, as in my opinion its streets ahead of the 3 cities you mentioned.
I'm a dubliner like you,but i have friends who live in Glasgow and I hop over to see them regularly , I think glasgow is great place, loads of lovely shops, lovely restaurants and so on. I'm not sure if you've been to Edinburgh, but if not maybe you should consider, as in my opinion its streets ahead of the 3 cities you mentioned.
Feb 15th, 2006, 05:34 AM
#14
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apologies siobhan, i've just re-read your post and seen that you've been to edinburgh several times, I dont know whats up with my PC today, but when i first viewed your post there was only one reply, and then a few minutes later i went back to it and there were lots of other posts!! Gremlins in the works me thinks!!
Feb 15th, 2006, 09:54 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Siobhan pet! You want a great day with your friend?
Then it has to be Glasgow.
Shops - better than London & you won't have to walk miles.
Museums, art galleries whatever your taste. And FAB FOOD!
Look at glasgowguide.co.uk or google glasgow shopping, restaurants etc.
Then it has to be Glasgow.
Shops - better than London & you won't have to walk miles.
Museums, art galleries whatever your taste. And FAB FOOD!
Look at glasgowguide.co.uk or google glasgow shopping, restaurants etc.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
grsing
Europe
14
Mar 13th, 2006 06:14 AM
