Days out in the North-west
There's the Blackpool Illuminations and a whole lot more. Switch on and chill out with David Budds
Published: 30 September 2003
There's the Blackpool Illuminations and a whole lot more. Switch on and chill out with David Budds
SHOPPING
MANCHESTER has all the usual high street stores, as well as a number of markets and areas for stall-trading and market-style shops. The Arndale Centre, in the heart of the city's shopping area, contains over 200 shops.
For opening times of general, second-hand and flea markets, phone individual numbers or visit www.manchester.gov.uk/markets.
ARNDALE MARKET A shopper's paradise for cheap treats, clothes, shoes and general bric-a-brac.
Market Hall, Arndale Centre, Manchester
Tel: 0161-832 3552
AFFLECK'S PALACE Contains 50 stalls and market-style shops, stocking fledgling fashion-designers' wares.
52 Church Street, Manchester
Tel: 0161-834 2039
HARPURHEY MARKET Excellent choice of fresh foods; also sells plants and flowers, curtains, bedding, household goods, shoes and fashion.
Church Lane, Harpurhey, Manchester
Tel: 0161-205 0215
LONGSIGHT MARKET A convenient shopping centre for household supplies, fashions, fabrics and accessories. There is also a general market and a second-hand market.
Dickenson Road, Longsight, Manchester
Tel: 0161-225 9859
MOSS SIDE MARKET All sorts of bits and bobs at both the general market and flea market.
Moss Lane East, Moss Side, Manchester
Tel: 0161-226 7228.
WYTHENSHAW MARKET Sells jewellery, clothes and footwear. You can pick up second-hand bargains on Mondays.
Civic Centre, Poundswick Road, Wythenshawe.
Tel: 0161-499 2832.
LIVERPOOL offers a range of shopping opportunities, from major chain and department stores to little boutiques and thrift shops. Interesting speciality shops and markets abound, from the Albert Dock, Church Street and Bold Street to Paddy's Market.
BOLTON has three major shopping malls, all of which house a range of high street shops and cafés:
CROMPTON PLACE
Tel: 01204 532501
THE GATES CENTRE
Tel: 01204 380673
THE MARKET PLACE
With market stalls
CHESTER offers high street and specialist shops, particularly in Godstall Lane, Rufus Court, and St Michael's Arcade.
THE MALL This Edwardian arcade makes a stylish shopping mall, with department stores, chains and smaller boutiques, as well as restaurants and cafés. Grosvenor Shopping Centre, 2 Newgate St, Chester Tel: 01244 342942
THE ROWS
Two-tiered galleried shopping arcade dating back to the medieval period. A beautiful place to browse.
The Cross, Chester
FESTIVALS AND SPECTACLES
INTERNATIONAL BEATLES FESTIVAL, 21-26 AUGUST 2003
Annual event attracting Beatles bands and fans. A one-day convention at the Adelphi Hotel, 26 August 2003, boasts speakers, tribute bands, memorabilia and souvenirs. Various venues in Liverpool
Tel: 0151-236 9091
MATHEW STREET FESTIVAL,
23-25 AUGUST 2003 A weekend of music in and around Liverpool's Cavern Quarter, culminating on Bank Holiday Monday with outdoor stages featuring live music.
Tel: 0151-236 9091
COUNTRYSIDE
SADDLEWORTH AND MARSDEN MOORS Within walking distance of several cosy villages - and even cosier pubs - these wild expanses of land are beautiful for picnicking.
GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS
IN THE MOOD
An exhibition examining the influence of war on entertainment in the 20th century. At Manchester's Imperial War Museum until 7 September 2003.
Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, Manchester
Tel: 0161-836 4000
www.iwm.org.uk
SPIRIT OF THE BLITZ
At the Merseyside Maritime Museum, this exhibition recounts experiences of living and working in Liverpool during the Second World War. Runs until June 2004.
Albert Dock, Liverpool
Tel: 0151-478 4499
TATE GALLERY LIVERPOOL Home of the national collection of modern art, the largest gallery of contemporary art outside London.
Albert Dock, Liverpool
Tel: 0151-702 7400
AND THE REST...
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH Britain's number one attraction in terms of visitors per annum. There are over 145 rides - some white-knuckle - as well as the pier, the tower, the Golden Mile, Louis Tussaud's waxworks and the zoo.
Tel: 0870 444 5566
CHESTER ZOO 500 species in natural enclosures set within 110 acres of award-winning landscaped gardens.
Upton-by-Chester, Chester
Tel: 01244 380280
KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK Drive through 450 acres of parkland with lions, tigers, camels, buffalo, rhinos and elephants.
Prescot Road, Prescot, Knowsley
Tel: 0151-430 9009
RUNCORN SKI CENTRE With a 90m main ski slope!
The Town Park, Runcorn, Cheshire
Tel: 01928 701965
TATTON PARK A mansion and old hall set in 1,000 acres of Cheshire parkland, with award-winning gardens, herds of red and fallow deer, and a working farm. Speciality shops and a restaurant make sure no one goes hungry.
Tel: 01625 534400
MANOR HEATH PARK AND JUNGLE EXPERIENCE, HALIFAX Experience the beauty of tropical plants - from the ornamental and the commercial to the lethal - in a tropical setting. Admission is free.
Manor Heath Road, Savile Park, Halifax
Tel: 01422 365631
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