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In October I'm going to England for a week for 3 concerts of Echo & The Bunnymen. The concerts are in Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham.
Of course, while there, I hope to do some sightseeing as well. I'll be staying two days in each of the three cities.
Does anyone know the area and these cities a bit, and can anyone give me some touristic hints ?
Will you have a car?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
What are your interests with regards to tourist sites?
Was over in Leeds last week Gerrit and it's a good town for going out, entertaining and the bit of culture. We spent most of an afternoon in the Henry Moore Institute and Leeds City Gallery which is only a couple of hundered meters from City Square/Central Station.
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery/
Dunno if you're massively interested in Art but if you are even curious it's well worth a look. As well as Moore I saw work by Barbara Hepworth, Andy Goldsworthy, Lowry, Gilbert & George ... and some of the contemprary stuff was very good too. Check out the shop in the basement as well -some lovely stuff in there and all available to buy on credit at 0% interest.
But for the fact we'd ryanair-ed it over we'd have emptied the place.
Some lovely pubs and restaurants (check out Tampopo - http://www.itchyleeds.co.uk/venues/398.html thai/vietnamese/japanese place on South parade -that's half way between the Gallery and City Square) too and generally a good bit cheaper than going out in Ireland.
Unfortunately no car, everything is done by train/bus (whatever is cheapest to travel between the three cities I'm visiting)Quote:
Originally Posted by Peadar
My specific interests: architecture ! Some nice old buildings (eg cathedrals, opera houses, churches, ...) and I'll probably like the city. Bit of nice scenery is also welcome at anytime. Some good music stores to pick up rarities is also appreciated as well, certainly on a trip built around concerts like this one ; but most important is architecture for me.
For the evenings: "alternative" nightlife (eg indie/rock pubs rather than regular dancings)
Birmingham is one of my least favourite places in England.
It's like a bleek industrial city you'd see in Belgium only less tidy.
Check out these websites...
Visit England, Destination Guide
Manchester
English Cities
City of Manchester Stadium
Birmingham
Leeds City Council
A Castle in Yorkshire
The Royal Armouries Museum
I don't like Birmingham either but if you are travelling down from Manchester then goto Chester. Its a nice city to visit.
I should point out that the misnomerically monikered Leeds Castle is nowhere near Leeds. It's not even in Yorkshire. According to the link -it's near Maidstone which is down in Kent about halfway between London and Hastings.
Good call. Colleges should be back by then so it'll be fairly lively there as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by ciaran76
They still do some of the street scenes for Hollyoaks down there. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by ciaran76
Can i come with ya, Gerrit?Quote:
Originally Posted by Peadar
Thats disgusting :p :eek: :pQuote:
Originally Posted by fosterdollar
too easyQuote:
Originally Posted by ciaran76
Maybe you haven't been in a while. Currently reinventing itself and anyone interested in Modern Architecture will marvel at the new Selfridges building. It gets a bad press but scratch beneath the surface and you'll find a buzzing vibrant city with plenty to shout about.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peadar
Oh and its by far the best place in Britain to spend St Patricks day if you can't get home :)
Head down to Broad Street for a decent night out in Birmingham.
Also try The Mailbox for decent restaurants and bars.
Everything is pretty close to New Street Railway Station - plus there is also a Travelodge on Broad Street that I myself have stayed in before - pretty decent for little cash.
Manchester to Leeds is about £10 return on transpennine express train from Piccadilly.
There appeared to to be a good few goths around the University area of Manchester the other night so check out the goth scene in the University on Monday's. For Decent pubs, Brition's Protection near Deansgate is quite good loads of different small rooms around the place Lowenbrau on tap, with some decent bitters - it is a bit more pricey then some of the other pubs. Salford Arms near Salford Central station always gets good review for its beer.
When you go to Leeds you might want to think about staying in Dewsbury (the home of goth!) its about 15 minutes outside Leeds on the train. Pubs for you would be the Old Turk, and the JFK both goth and punk, there is also a goth club which I can never remember the name off but I will find out from a mate who lives out that way and post it up here, try these on Saturday (Bunnymen are playing Leeds Friday and no concert Saturday I think.)
Birmingham I can't help you with I'm afraid.
Was in Birmingham last year visiting a now ex-girlfriend. Thought it a very nie city. The centre is grand. There is a very old historic church right smack in the middle of the modern shopping part.
Went to the theatre there and saw a great play "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. And St. Andrews ground is not far from the city centre if you had time to take in a match.
Why not visit a proper city with a true Irish heritage.....Liverpool!!
Well said Davey. I spent eleven years living in Brum. Great place and great people. Anyone found dissing Birmingham will have to report to me. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by davey
:ball: PP
Because he's Belgian and see's enough Irish heritage in Ireland. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Thunderblaster
Birmingham is a dump! :p
I think I'll ignore the opinion of someone who lives in Reading :p :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Peadar
Peadar, you really should revisit Birmingham, preferably with someone who knows the city well. I guarantee you will have a ball as long as you stay away from Broad St.