Rubicund

The markets are coming to Manchester UK again in November opening on the 14th until Monday 21st December. It's even bigger this year with 10 different locations across a very walkable City Centre and there's a video from last year on the Manchester website, click on the link near the bottom of the page:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/50...istmas_markets

The main market is in Albert Square in front of Manchester's historic Town Hall and then in other squares and lining streets within the area. It's a fantastic time in Manchester and the food, drinks
and gifts available are exceptional. Can't wait.

sparkchaser

I am looking forward to checking this out.

Rubicund

Easy ride in from Birchwood sparkchaser. If you go in on a Saturday or Sunday, park on the Salford side of the river as it's free after 12 noon on a Saturday or all day Sunday.

sparkchaser

Good to know although we might just take the train in so we can drink more.

Rubicund

Good German beer in Albert square. I've personally never liked the taste of gluhwein.

sparkchaser

Honestly, aside from Hefeweizen and Kellerbier, I like the English real ales so much better. If there is Glühwein or hot mead, then I am happy.

Rubicund

"I like the English real ales so much better". Here's a few to try in the Lancashire/Manchester area:

Timothy Taylor's Landlord bitter
Moorhouses (any)
Wainwright's from Thwaites
Any small local breweries

sparkchaser

I have had Landlord (it's my go to) and Wainwright's already. Possibly some Moorehouse as well.

We only go to pubs with the Cask Marque plaque and always go for a real ale we haven't tried yet.

We joined CAMRA and I have the Cask Finder app on my phone.

Rubicund

Good to know that you're not at all addicted!

Rubicund

We went into Manchester yesterday for our pilgrimage to the Christmas Markets. It was better than ever with lots of different food stalls, gifts and decorations, clothing and accessories. We spent two or three hours there, lots of ££'s and I enjoyed my usual bratwurst.

Last weekend coming up for the markets, so if you mean to go, now's your last chance.

bilboburgler

Rubicund, if you could just stop it raining please.

sparkchaser

It's not raining now.

Rubicund

It is now! Showers forecast Thursday and Friday, Saturday and Sunday cloudy but dry. Get in there this weekend, it's more attractive than Otley or Birchwood!

sparkchaser

No rain in Birchwood. Yet. >_>

stevelyon

There are some great pubs to try out in Manchester selling real ales: Britons Protection; Lass O Gowrie; and one easily missed: The Gaslamp. Manchester seems to be improving all the time with a great little area being developed near the Mitre Pub, this is fab now but will be even better in summer ... various restaurants with different cuisines which open out into a courtyard.

PalenQ

Any bobble heads of Corrie characters on sale?

Rubicund

Great info Steve, that area round Exchange Square is improving, especially with the changes in the Corn Exchange (they've changed the name back from the Triangle). I'd particularly recommend the Indian street food place called Mowgli.

stevelyon

Thanks for that Rubicund. Not far from there is "This and That" which was Hardens recommended number 1 curry house in UK. Three curries and rice for £5... not open late night.

PalenQ

The Xmas markets sound super neat BUT they make Manchester only a more interesting city to visit - to me one of the best cities in the U.K. - not so much for looks but a lot of interesting places - museums, industrial heritage (like the museum in one of the world' oldest train stations - about the Victoria sewar system) and a lively city center - old canals and even the home of Coronation Street (well until the set moved last year to the port area - but lots of shots of town still).

I've been to every big British city I think and though this is no York or Bath - being much much bigger and not so much a museum piece - Manchester to me rocks!

Football fans can pay homage to Man United at their stadium's museum too I think.

Just two hours from train yes from London. any time of year but especially it seems before Christmas Manchester shines yet so few here ever talk of going there.

flanneruk

"Manchester shines yet so few here ever talk of going there."

Why would they, with a real city just a hop away?

Liverpool's waterfront was voted yesterday (by Britain's Royal Town Planning Institute) top of its list of England's Great Places. http://www.rtpi.org.uk/egpvoting

Narrowly topping two far less storied wonders: the High Street in Thame, Oxfordshire and Saltaire, near Bradford. All of the top ten merit seeing more of - though self-evidently Liverpool reigns supreme.

And don't knock Liverpool's Christmas market.

Well, from a gastro point of view, possibly do knock it. But everywhere in Europe's selling gluhwein. Only in Liverpool can you get a plate of Scouse to help deal with those winds coming in off the Atlantic. Or Skipton chocolate

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats...stmas-10472190