Deansgate (one of the main roads in Manchester City Centre) is home to one of the city's most famous and most impressive buildings: the John Rylands Library. Built at the end of the 19th century in memory John Rylands (one of the city's most successful industrialists), this masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture is more reminiscent of a cathedral than a library. Its vast and varied collection includes a 1476 edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales printed by William Caxton, some magnificent illuminated medieval manuscripts, and the St John Fragment (which is the oldest known piece of the New Testament).
Manchester also boasts several important art galleries. The Whitworth Art Gallery (which is part of Manchester University and is located in Whitworth Park) is famous for its outstanding collection of British watercolours. These include works by Constable, Gainsborough, Rossetti, Millias and Burne-Jones, as well as over fifty watercolours by J M W Turner. More works by the Pre-Raphaelites can be found at the City Art Gallery on Mosley Street in the city centre, whilst the newly-built Lowry Centre at nearby Salford Quays contains a magnificent collection of works by the iconic Manchester-born painter L S Lowry.
Manchester's theatres attract many famous performers and directors, and offer a much friendlier and more affordable alternative to London's West End. The Palace Theatre and the Manchester Opera House both accommodate world-class shows as they tour the country as part of a pre- or post-London run, whilst the Royal Exchange Theatre (a modern theatre-in-the-round, ingeniously constructed inside the old Corn Exchange) often plays host to productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company. There are also two theatres at the Lowry Centre.
Manchester's vibrant concert and music scene caters for all tastes and all genres. The famous Halle Orchestra originated in Manchester. Classical music concerts are staged at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Bridgewater Hall, whilst the MEN Arena attracts world-famous pop and comedy performers. The MEN Arena is the largest indoor arena in the European Union, accommodating a staggering 21,000 people.
Manchester has excellent transport links. The city became known as "the inland port" because of its excellent canal links to the port of Liverpool. As well as its own Metrolink light rail transport system, Manchester is linked to all areas of the country by fast rail connections, whilst the city's three-terminal international airport has direct flights to many countries, some of which offer onward connections to cities all over the world without the need to travel via London.
Manchester is also home to two highly successful football clubs. Manchester United (one of the most successful football teams in the world) play at the Old Trafford football ground, whilst Manchester City now occupy the Eastlands stadium which was originally built when Manchester hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002. Manchester is also the home of the Lancashire County Cricket Club, whose Old Trafford cricket ground often hosts international test matches. Weather permitting, of course.
Manchester also boasts several important art galleries. The Whitworth Art Gallery (which is part of Manchester University and is located in Whitworth Park) is famous for its outstanding collection of British watercolours. These include works by Constable, Gainsborough, Rossetti, Millias and Burne-Jones, as well as over fifty watercolours by J M W Turner. More works by the Pre-Raphaelites can be found at the City Art Gallery on Mosley Street in the city centre, whilst the newly-built Lowry Centre at nearby Salford Quays contains a magnificent collection of works by the iconic Manchester-born painter L S Lowry.
Manchester's theatres attract many famous performers and directors, and offer a much friendlier and more affordable alternative to London's West End. The Palace Theatre and the Manchester Opera House both accommodate world-class shows as they tour the country as part of a pre- or post-London run, whilst the Royal Exchange Theatre (a modern theatre-in-the-round, ingeniously constructed inside the old Corn Exchange) often plays host to productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company. There are also two theatres at the Lowry Centre.
Manchester's vibrant concert and music scene caters for all tastes and all genres. The famous Halle Orchestra originated in Manchester. Classical music concerts are staged at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Bridgewater Hall, whilst the MEN Arena attracts world-famous pop and comedy performers. The MEN Arena is the largest indoor arena in the European Union, accommodating a staggering 21,000 people.
Manchester has excellent transport links. The city became known as "the inland port" because of its excellent canal links to the port of Liverpool. As well as its own Metrolink light rail transport system, Manchester is linked to all areas of the country by fast rail connections, whilst the city's three-terminal international airport has direct flights to many countries, some of which offer onward connections to cities all over the world without the need to travel via London.
Manchester is also home to two highly successful football clubs. Manchester United (one of the most successful football teams in the world) play at the Old Trafford football ground, whilst Manchester City now occupy the Eastlands stadium which was originally built when Manchester hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002. Manchester is also the home of the Lancashire County Cricket Club, whose Old Trafford cricket ground often hosts international test matches. Weather permitting, of course.
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