You. Family. A whole day in Manchester. How will you make the most of your visit? Well, fear not, as I’ve created the following guide to getting the most out of all those Orientations and other visits to UoM, so you can secure a full insight into The University and city.
Day out á la University
When deciding whether the University could have a place in your future, it’s important to get a full sense of what the campus is like. So explore the neo-Classical and brick buildings of the Old Quad, and visit the state-of-the-art National Graphene Institute. But why not also take your family to the University’s John Rylands Library, which is to be found in Deansgate? Here you’ll discover exhibitions on writers, innovators and the greats of Manchester as well as perhaps being able to attend a free lecture or two. Lovely jubbly! Soak in the history-charged and, might I add, free (whoop!) atmosphere of the Library, or wend your way to the world-renowned Jodrell Bank. Certainly, at a quick 35-minute drive from the city centre, it’s well worth a visit as one of the University’s most famous institutions and is undoubtedly a must-see for any of you budding astronomers.
Exploring the City
However, to discover whether Manchester is a place you’d like to one day call home, there’s only thing for it: explore, explore, explore! Take your family up to the Northern Quarter, for instance, and treat them to a craft coffee (I’d recommend Takk). Or check out the independent shops and cool bars that line the streets of this must-see district. But don’t stop there. Head a little deeper into the city centre and you’ll encounter the National Football Museum, Chetham’s Library (which is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world!) and you’ll finally find yourself at Shambles Square. This is a great little place that many students have yet to even hear of, but its home to some of the best pubs that Manchester has to offer. So check it out!
Food, Glorious Food
So, you’ve spent a long day walking around the city, and now the dreaded tummy rumbles have kicked in. Your task: to find somewhere that’ll cater to all of your family’s culinary needs. Well, don’t worry, we’ve got this covered. The University offer plenty of options, including the Student Union Café as well as the wonderful Christie’s Bistro, which serves British cuisine in a beautiful late-Victorian hall. However, if you’re still in the city, then head over to the Corn Exchange for its fantastic range of restaurants (Mowgli’s is my personal fave). Treat yourself!
And that’s it! Just ensure you have a good look around campus, a proper exploration of the city and a bite or two at the University’s eateries, and you and the parents will have an action-packed day that’ll soon give you an idea of whether Manchester is the place for you!