Christmas in Manchester

Dates

Friday-Sunday 28-30 November

Organisers

Diane and Jan

Cost

£105 per person inclusive of supplement; additional £10 supplement for attendees from Meetup

Activities

Friday: Arrivals and check-in from 3:00pm. We plan a 2-mile walk along River Irwell to Town Hall and Christmas Market. Then dinner followed by traditional Christmas quiz and the slightly different Secret Santa.

Saturday: 8-mile circular cultural walk around the city. Manchester is a city that has rocked the world, producing some of the most iconic bands in music history. From The Smiths to Oasis, Joy Division to The Stone Roses, and even modern giants like The 1975, its influence is undeniable. We will explore the heart of this legendary music scene, where you can "hang the DJ" and celebrate the city's rich musical history. We will visit key sites from musicians like The Smiths, Oasis, New Order, Joy Division, and more. Starting in the Northern Quarter, a vibrant area known for its street art, indie boutiques, and music venues, you'll feel the pulse of the city's creative spirit. Pass by the site of the legendary Hacienda nightclub, once the "house of fun" for the post-punk and acid house movements. We will also visit the Free Trade Hall, where Bob Dylan famously told the world "It's all over now, baby blue" as he went electric in 1966. But more than just a city of music, with its rich industrial past, iconic architecture and vibrant arts scene, Manchester is a city that begs to be explored step by step. It's the only way to truly connect with the place. In memory of the industrial revolution, we will visit the site of the Peterloo Massacre, where on 16 August 1819, around 60,000 peaceful demonstrators gathered in St Peter's Field, Manchester to hear pro-democracy speakers discuss the need for parliamentary reform. They were charged by armed cavalry. We will also pass by the magnificent Manchester art gallery and Manchester Museum, the Free Trade Hall and site of the fantastic 80s disco Royale where "Hit man and her" was filmed. On Deansgate, one of the oldest roads in Manchester, stretching back to Roman times, we will visit the John Rylands Library, which is one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe and is indisputably one of the great libraries of the world. Passing through the labyrinth of canals which helped build the industrial north, we will mosey through the infamous Gay Village, to see locations where "Queer as Folk" was filmed. We will be back in time for the famous Christmas markets, held all over town and full of Christmas promise. Walk in the footsteps of legends, "roll with it" and immerse yourself in Manchester. Maybe we'll even spot some footballers.

Sunday: Opportunity to book Coronation Street tour, take the tram to visit the Lowry Museum in Salford, or Old Trafford. Option to visit town centre for some of the world's best shopping.

Refreshments

Hostel provides full catering service and a self-catering kitchen. We will provide tea, coffee and milk. We plan to eat out on the Saturday night.

Travel

Regular trains from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. Then a short bus or tram ride and two-minute walk to the hostel. Free parking on site. Anyone parking must, on arrival, register their vehicle details at reception.

Accommodation

We have booked dorm rooms at YHA Manchester, Potato Wharf, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4NB

Links

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Booking conditions for HAWOG events

  • If you submit a booking and your request can be met then you are committed to the purchase.
  • It is your responsibility to know or check in advance the total price per person or room.
  • If your request can be met then you'll receive an email from the organiser informing you of the total price, how calculated, and you'll be required to pay within 14 days of the date of the email. It's your responsibility to remember to check and respond to that email.
  • All places purchased are for a single bed in a same sex room exclusive to our group, unless agreed otherwise in writing by the organiser or you have booked a stated, available room. The number of beds in a room will vary.
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If your request cannot be met then you will be informed of this and what possibilities are available. You may then inform the organiser if you want to be added to a waiting list and/or submit another booking which meets one of the possibilities. A waiting list means you get informed soonest if suitable places or rooms become available, it does not commit you to purchasing them but you will need to confirm, and book, in a short period of time if you want them.

Methods of Payment

Whilst most membership, surcharges and events can be paid for online via our PayPal account, there are a few alternatives for attendees and events where online payment via our PayPal account is not possible:

  • Pay electronically direct to our group bank account.
  • Pay in person at a branch of our group's bank.
  • Get someone else to pay online for you.
  • Ask the organiser of events you need to pay for, if they will accept payment direct to them (and they pay group for you).
  • Occasionally, cash and cheques may be accepted at key events and dates.
  • Cash and cheques may be accepted for a small handling charge.

For all of the above, please ensure the Chair, Treasurer or event organiser knows how you will pay. Please email us for more information.

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