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Manchester
5 day holiday - Wednesday 20th November 2024
Highlights...
‘Blood Brothers’ Musical
Manchester Art Gallery
Elizabeth Gaskill’s House
Manchester is an iconic industrial city that has transformed itself into a thriving cultural hub of the North - with a surprising number of things to do in the warm this winter. Surrounded by glossy modern architecture, it’s easy to spot classic grand brick buildings from the cotton-boom and ancient ruins, hinting at Manchester's Roman roots. In 1761, the Industrial Revolution started when Bridgewater Canal opened, with new ways to live and work transforming lives in Manchester and across the world. Dotted across the city is a contrast of smaller boutique shops that sit between the narrow canals and familiar sports stadiums, with football being an economic powerhouse of the region. It’s also home to notable TV studios, with ITV’s Coronation Street or the national BBC Breakfast show all in production close-by. Bands such as the Bee Gees, Take That, Oasis and The Hollies all formed amongst the backdrop of the northern music scene that thrived in the city. It’s clear to see how Manchester blends notes of pop culture with an important industrial past to become a fascinating destination to explore.
Our fantastic sight-seeing plan will take us to key historical points of interest each day, from the dramatic architecture of the Manchester Cathedral, to a journey through famous artworks within the walls of the Manchester Art Gallery. Further highlights include a look around Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell's House, best known for writing ‘Mary Barton’, ‘Cranford’ and the biography of her friend Charlotte Bronte. Our guided tour gives us a hands-on experience with detailed furnishings and objects belonging to the Gaskell family to take a look at. We also take a trip to Ordsall Hall, which dates back to the Tudor era and holds a unique past. And History enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to tick-off the Manchester Museum to witness treasures from Ancient Egypt on display. Finally, no trip to this incredible city is complete without experiencing the entertainment-factor. We watch 'Blood Brothers', a two-act musical by Willy Russell set against the backdrop of a 1960s Liverpool, and an important comment on the effect of social inequality. We have stalls seating in The Palace Theatre to make this November a truly memorable one.

Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre 4*
For your comfort, we will be staying in the Northern Quarter of the city at the Crowne Plaza, a popular 4-star hotel conveniently located within close reach of our excursions. Each room includes a premium double bed and en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower and bath. Room amenities include free WiFi, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, safe, tea & coffee making facilities, complimentary mineral water and air-conditioning. There is also the option to upgrade to a Club Room with access to the hotel’s private lounge. We will start each morning with breakfast at the hotel, before our fully escorted sight-seeing itineraries. The 3-course dinner each evening in the hotel’s stylish restaurant includes a varied menu with your choice of two glasses of house wine or soft drinks.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Wednesday 20th November
The holiday begins with your door-to-door car transferring you to the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross. On arrival, you will be greeted by your Tour Manager who will be with you throughout the trip. Pastries with tea or coffee will be served, then we will board the coach to sit back, relax and begin our journey. Our light lunch stop is located half-way at the Coleshill Hotel Restaurant, a beautifully renovated old coaching inn. From there we continue north towards the Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre, where you will be assisted at the hotel check-in, including porterage for your luggage. There will be time to settle in and unpack before dining in the hotel restaurant for our 3-course evening meal.
Day 2 – Thursday 21st November
We start our day with a visit to Manchester Cathedral. Our guided tour highlights notable features from its 15th century perpendicular gothic architecture, to the magnificently re- stored post-war stained-glass windows. The Cathedral continues to serve an important role within the community today. Next, we have a welcome lunch at Ordsall Hall, a Grade I formerly moated Tudor mansion dating back more than 750 years. The steeply pitched gable roofs, quirky timber beams and playfully elaborate chimneys make it a must-see for our trip. As the family seat of the Radclyffe family who
resided there for nearly three hundred years, the hall has been put to many uses including a working men's club and church hall, all of which our guided tour
will delve into in more detail.
Day 3 – Friday 22nd November
Our day starts at the charming Elizabeth Gaskell’s House to learn about the life and work of who the press described as 'one of the greatest female novelists of all time'. The house is bursting with a blend of Victorian furnishings and objects. After tea and cake, the coach departs back to the hotel for free time before our early evening meal. We have stalls seating at The Palace Theatre for a performance of ‘Blood Brothers’. The musical tells the story of twin brothers Eddie and Mickey, who are separated at birth and brought up in two very different classes in society. Orchestrated through song and dance, the story takes a striking twist which has earned it many five-star reviews and awards throughout the decades.
Day 5 – Saturday 23rd November
For a morning of elegance, we take a guided tour of the Manchester Art Gallery. Built in 1823, the gallery has a fine art collection consisting of thousands of oil paintings, watercolours and decorative art objects. We will enjoy a light lunch in the Gallery Café, then our next location to explore is the Manchester Museum. As one of the largest university museums in the UK, it houses around four and a half million objects from natural sciences and human cultures. Our focus will be on the world-class Egypt and Sudan collections, with a guided tour about the artefacts on display in this outstanding institution. There will be free time to spend as you wish back at the hotel h
before our evening meal.
Day 5 – Sunday 24th November
After breakfast, the Tour Manager will take care of everything at check-out and ensure your luggage is loaded onto the coach in time for departure. We make the most of the journey back with a stop to enjoy a 2-course lunch, and the chance to socialise with friends old and new from the trip. Later, we return to our original meeting point at the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross for refreshments, including tea and coffee before your door-to-door car collection.
Total Price of the Holiday: £2,075 per person
Deposit: £200
Balance due:
25th September 2024
Whats Included:
- Door to door cars from your home to the meeting point and return journey
- Coach travel throughout the holiday
- Four nights at the 4-Star Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre
- 3-course dinner with 2 glasses of wine every night
- Full English or continental breakfast every morning
- Lunch with coffee or tea every day
- Refreshments on the first and final day at the Crowne Plaza
- All Admission/talks/tours at properties visited:
- Blood Brothers Theatre Tickets (Stalls)
- Manchester Art Gallery
- Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
- Manchester Cathedral
- Manchester Museum
- Ordsall Hall
- The
- V.A.T.
ROOM UPGRADE: Upgrade to a King Club Room for an extra £160 King Club Room with Club Lounger access
For more information or to book call 020 4568 3377
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Business Hours
- Mon - Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed
Cultural Breaks is a trading name of Advantage Travel Centres Limited, registered in England and Wales with registered number 04698963 Vat No. 680 7873 93 Head Office: C/O Regus, Eagle House, 167 City Road, London, EC1V 1AW