5-Night Itinerary: Manchester and North Wales

Morning 

After arriving in Manchester, why not head out to explore the city on foot, with one of the many walking tours, that will reveal hidden gems and highlight some of Manchester’s top attractions. Ensure you visit John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral, where history comes to life in these neo-gothic historical buildings that will be sure to take your breath away. You might feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set as both The Darkest Hour and Anatomy of a Scandal, were filmed at John Rylands Library.   

Lunch 

Now you have your bearings, jump onboard the Afternoon Tea Taxi Tour . Spend the afternoon enjoying a delicious home-made afternoon tea after discovering the very best of Manchester from the comfort of an all-electric black cab with a completely bespoke tour. Rather stay in one place? Be spoilt for choice at Mackie Mayor , a cool food hall filled with artisan food traders, all within the stunning surroundings of a former Victorian market. 

Afternoon 

Manchester is known throughout the world for soccer. Are you red or blue? Go behind the scenes at your favourite club or discover more about the social history of football with a visit to the National Football Museum. The Manchester City Football Club Stadium Tour offers the most immersive experience in Premier League soccer. Using the latest technology, dreams come true as explore the players’ dressing room, before interacting with Pep Guardiola in the press room.

Dinner 

Relax and freshen up at your hotel, then head out for dinner at one of the city’s most popular dining spots. Set in the iconic Free Trade Hall, Peter Street Kitchen captures the essence of the building’s former glory and atmosphere. Exquisitely presented and beautifully balanced, the menu explores French-Mediterranean cooking, complemented by a curated selection of Japanese signature dishes. Or check out Higher Ground, this British Bistro champions seasonal ingredients with menus and dishes changed on a daily basis. An unforgettable experience.  

Evening 

Experience Manchester’s legendary music scene, from intimate clubs to world-class arenas, explore the city’s diverse musical landscape. Co-op Live and AO Arena, host some of the biggest names in live entertainment. For a more intimate setting, Band on the Wall has been at the very heart of Manchester culture for years, showcasing some of the best music in the world.  

Morning 

Head out of the city centre and explore the wider region of Greater Manchester. Hop aboard a heritage steam train at the East Lancashire Railway. Taking you through beautiful countryside and quirky villages, you could also book on a themed experience from luxury dining to comedy shows. Explore Lowry, where three stunning theatres sit alongside galleries displaying artists of local to international renown, all set on the waterfront destination, Salford Quays.  

Lunch 

Head back to the city centra to refuel at one of Manchester’s great lunch spots. From one of the best bakeries in the UK, Pollen Bakery undoubtedly has the best bread in the city, with people queuing out the door for their sweet pastries. For something more hearty, Shoryu Ramen is the go-to spot for Hakata Tonkotsu ramen (Japanese noodles). 

Afternoon 

Spend the afternoon enjoying one of the city’s best drinking tours or experiences, from Craft Beer Tour Manchester where you’d visit microbreweries and craft beer houses to Manchester Wine Tours , let expert hosts guide you through some of the city’s best spots, whilst sampling delicious beer or wine along the way. For those who love rum, Salford Rum Distillery offers fun rum tours and tastings, where you get to learn all about how they make their rum whilst enjoying expertly mixed cocktails.   

Dinner 

Discover the art of cooking at Manchester’s hands-on cookery school, Food Sorcery. Master new skills and explore global cuisines. Or let the food come to you at Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, blending South American tradition with modern sophistication. The Churrasco Experience elevates Brazilian steakhouse cuisine with premium grilled meats, carved the rodizio way. 

Evening 

Don’t let the fund end there. Test your skills at some of Manchester’s favourite interactive gaming spots. Black Cat Club features 6 dart game modes and the first interactive shuffleboard in the city – the ideal combination of eat, drink and play. Immersive Gamebox offers a world of high-tech gaming and fun-packed adventure for everyone.  

Morning 

You won’t want to miss Manchester’s Northern Quarter. As the city’s creative neighbourhood, this cool hangout is filled with independent retailers of vintage fashion, music, art and so much more, also making it a perfect filming location for so many movies and TV shows. The Locationist Film and TV walking tour explores iconic locations from your favourite blockbuster movies such as Captain America and hit shows like The Crown and Peaky Blinders, bringing behind-the-scenes stories to life. Afflecks is a true icon of the Northern Quarter, a vibrant and eclectic labyrinth, packed full of independent traders who put their heart and soul into their products. Not to be missed. 

Lunch 

Having worked up an appetite, why not book yourself on one of Manchester’s amazing food tours. Check out Scranchester Food Tour or Flavours of Manchester, because why try just one place, when you can try many. These truly immersive tours, with a local guide will take you on a multi-stop tour across the city, offering edible insights into food history and culture along the way, revealing why the city’s food and drink scene is booming. Come hungry! 

Afternoon  

Be inspired and take in some art and culture. Chetham’s Library, set in the heart of Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. From historic to modern, check out Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, a cultural hub that hosts immersive theatre, exhibitions, and large-scale multimedia performances. With world-class artists and groundbreaking events, it’s a space for creativity, innovation, and unforgettable experiences. 

Dinner

Dig into more cuisines in the city, with modern and traditional Spanish flavours at El Gato Negro Tapas, where you’ll find perfectly paired dished with its speciality range of Spanish wines and sherries. Lucky Cat serves Asian-inspired small plates, Robata grilled dishes, sushi and sashimi, as one of Gordon Ramsey’s restaurants, expect exceptional dishes and an unforgettable selection of cocktails and wines served from its Tokyo-inspired bar. 

Evening 

Discover the theatrical heartbeat of Manchester, whether its experiencing classic productions and Broadway hits at the Palace Theatre and Opera House, to thought provoking new works and world-premiere shows at HOME and Royal Exchange Theatre, there’s plenty to choose from. For pre-theatre drinks, check out 20 Stories or Cloud 23, both rooftop bars where you can catch the sun-setting across the city’s skyline. 

Morning 

It’s time to depart Manchester and travel across to North Wales. Easily accessible by rail, head off to Wrexham, the home of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’. Start your journey at Tŷ Pawb, a multi-award-winning cultural and community resource. They present a programme of contemporary, welcoming and inclusive exhibitions and live performances. And don’t miss out on a chance to have your photo outside the famous STõK Cae Ras, home of Wrexham AFC. Oh and don’t forget a  

Lunch 

For a drink or light bite, head to The Fat Boar – a modern, independent restaurant in the heart of the town. They use the finest local Welsh produce and keep their menu fresh using the best of the season’s flavours. For a relaxed experience, The Lemon Tree serves AA Rosette food, from breakfast, afternoon tea and sharing deli boards, making it a perfect stop-off for lunch. 

Afternoon 

Take in some of North Wales’s beautiful architecture and scenery at one of the many historic sites. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the longest and highest aqueduct in Great Britain, is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Why not get involved and try a kayak or canoe tour along the water, or for something more leisurely, jump onboard a horse-drawn boat trip.  For those that love Downton Abbey, pay a visit to Erddig Hall & Garden where you can explore this much-loved home and estate filled with the stories of a family and their servants.  

Dinner 

Enjoy culinary excellence at one of North Wales’ fine dining restaurants. Building a strong reputation for superb cuisine, head to AA Rosette restaurant The Hand at Llanarmon. Dine in style and enjoy contemporary, locally-sourced cuisine at iâl Restaurant.  

Morning  

In Northwest Wales, if you love outdoor activities and want to feel the adrenaline course through your body, then head to the world’s fastest zip line at ZipWorld. Located just a stone’s throw from Conwy and Llandudno, you can pair this with karting adventures and quarry truck tours. For water-based activities, RibRide Adventure Boat Tours offer an exhilarating journey along the Menai Strait, or take on a white-water rafting adventure on the River Tryweryn within the Welsh hills of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park).  

Lunch 

You can’t come to Great Britain and not try fish and chips. Enochs Fish and Chips are award-winning and recognised as a local landmark in North Wales. Be sure to try their twice-fried, thick-cut chips and sustainably sourced fish on your visit. 

Afternoon 

With over 600 castles, Conwy Castle is a must-visit, renowned as a masterpiece of late 13th century military architecture, the castle still utterly dominates the town, which has one of the finest sets of town walls in Europe. Or visit Caernarfon Castle, where hit TV show The Crown was filmed. Wales wouldn’t be complete without visiting the longest place name in Britain, originally invented in the 1860s as a publicity stunt to attract tourists, it still works today - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (AKA Llanfair PG) means ‘St Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio of the red cave’. Mandatory selfie stop! 

Evening 

Time to stop and refuel. Check out Bryn Williams’ Bistro. See a different side to Aber Falls at their distillery, with a guided tour, learn how traditional techniques meet modern innovation producing premium spirits using water from Aber Falls waterfall. The menu is full of Welsh produce where seafood takes centre stage on the menu. Or cosy up at the Quay Hotel and Spa, with a choice of dining options, including the Grill Room with breathtaking views or The Lounge Bar and Terrace for a relaxed and informal setting to enjoy alfresco dining.  

Morning 

If you have time to indulge just one last time in Manchester’s amazing food scene, head off early back to the City. Check out these cool brunch spots. Evelyn’s Café Bar is an easy-going local venue, serving brunch classics by day and refined, small plates by night. Ezra and Gil in the Northern Quarter, is a great hang out spot to enjoy great food, coffee and dessert. Independently owned, Australian-themed café bar, Federal, serves up gourmet coffee, speciality teas, delicious brunch, bagels, and homemade cakes.