Manchester living

Heralded as the culture capital of the North, Manchester is widely regarded as Britain's second city. Combining impressive Victorian architecture, an ever-increasing number of galleries and museums, a plethora of bars and restaurants and an abundance of theatre and live music performances, the city has a truly global feel.

Location and transport

As the hub of the North West, Manchester is minutes from the country, an hour from the stunning Lake District and just two hours from London by train. We're also well placed to visit the nearby cities of Leeds and Liverpool, with regular train services to the rest of the UK and direct flights from Manchester International Airport to all major European cities. Manchester City Council is also investing £3bn into the city's public transport system to transform the bus network, triple the tram network and refurbish the train network.

Sports

To complement the University's world class facilities, sports fans can find plenty to keep busy in Manchester. For football fans, Manchester United's Old Trafford ground and the impressive City of Manchester Stadium are close by, as are the Olympic size swimming pool at Manchester's Aquatic Centre, Manchester's Velodrome and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Food

The city centre offers plenty to whet the appetite. International restaurants can be found round every corner, including Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Spanish, while the famous 'Curry Mile' in Rusholme offers over 50 restaurants serving both Indian and Pakistani food. Manchester's bustling China Town is also central - host to many restaurants and shops. There are lots of Halal and Kosher retailers around the city, as well as a Japanese food market and a range of vegetarian and vegan cafes.

Religions and faiths

Manchester is home to people of many religions and faiths, and there are places of worship for all religions across the city, including two prayer rooms on campus.

Culture

The city plays host to a number of intimate live music events, as well as large scale venues such as the Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester Central and the Apollo. We also enjoy a rich arts scene, including the Manchester Art Gallery, Museum of Science and Industry, Whitworth Art Gallery and numerous theatres showcasing the best of traditional and contemporary culture. Shopping is equally eclectic, from the designer boutiques of King Street to high street chains to the bohemian and vintage offering of the Northern Quarter.

Skyline

Industrial wealth and civic culture have shaped a distinctive cityscape where pillars of Mancunian history now rub shoulders with striking contemporary architecture. Historic public buildings include the Town Hall, Victoria Baths and the neo-gothic John Rylands Library, whilst many warehouses and mills have been converted to stylish living spaces. The striking Beetham Tower dominates the modern skyline, and tree-lined streets and leafy parks bring out the city's softer side.

To find out more, visit www.visitmanchester.com and www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com