Anyone in Manchester UK [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

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Bob Salomon

4-Aug-2008, 12:54

Will be going there in a couple of weeks. What to see? What to do?

Justin Cormack

4-Aug-2008, 13:23

I havent been to the city for ages, and dont know it well, but just go to the Peak District. Its right there, and is one of the loveliest areas of Britain, perhaps my favourite. Amazing scenery, and industrial history.

You could pop in and say hi to Ilford too!

Joanna Carter

4-Aug-2008, 13:30

Hi Bob

What dates? I live about 50 miles from there and there are a few folks in the UKLFPG who live even closer.

Pop in to the UKLFPG forum and make yourself known there, we also have a great tearoom appreciation sub-committee :)

http://www.lf-photo.org.uk/forum/

Bob Salomon

4-Aug-2008, 13:44

Bob Salomon

4-Aug-2008, 13:46

Tony Lakin

4-Aug-2008, 14:21

Hi Bob
Take a brolly;) :D :)
Good luck.
Regards
Tony

IanG

5-Aug-2008, 09:15

and take a trip into the Peak District :D

Very close to Manchester and a wonderful landscape . . . . .

Ian

david b

5-Aug-2008, 13:30

Just delurking as I'm a Manchester lad.

I'd suggest a trip to the Quays - the Imperial War Museum North (http://north.iwm.org.uk/) is there, worth a look inside and very photographable on the outside. Just over the bridge is the Lowry (http://www.thelowry.com/) where the National Portrait Gallery's 2007 Photography prize winners are currently on display.

There's a major Gustav Klimt (http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/gustavklimt/) exhibition on at the Tate Liverpool, if you have time to make it over there. It's the European Capital of Culture 2008, so there's lots on.

I'd second - or third - the Peak District if you want to see some countryside, but you would need your own transportation really. Other than that it depends a lot on what your interests are. Feel free to PM me if there's anything else you'd like to know.

David

Bob Salomon

5-Aug-2008, 14:00

Thanks, looks like the Peak District is a good choice.

Marc

5-Aug-2008, 18:54

Bob,

The Peaks are OK, I guess...
If you have the weekend, I'd suggest going up to the lakes, though. Only about an hours drive (OK, maybe an hour and a half). I prefer them to the Peaks, but that may be just personal preference..

You going for photographic purposes? LF?
Manchester itself has a few good places for that. Lyme Park in Disley, Tatton Park and Dunham Massey (all National Trust) are worth a look (although you may get hassled by the Park Wardens if you put up a tripod...). The University has a few nice buildings as well.
There are a few monasteries, etc not too long a drive away (Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, for example...)

And if you want to push it, you could even drive down to North Wales (Snowdonia).

I'll be probably be around in Manchester, if you want to meet up, hit a pub, discuss the advantages/disadvantages of LF over d*****l or such. I'm planning to go on holiday from that weekend on, but probably won't leave until Sunday or Monday anyway.
I'm not native, but I've been here for 11 years, so I know the area a little :)

I think you should be able to email me via the forum, alternatively PM me here.

Marc

david b

6-Aug-2008, 02:36

Marc makes some really good suggestions. But it does depend how much time you have - certainly Snowdonia would be fantastic as a (long) day trip: mountains, beaches, forests, valleys, a good bit of traditional Welsh culture, all in a fairly compact area. Portmeirion is a particular must-see.

At the very least Manchester has some very fine pubs, so I'm sure us hard-drinking photog types could recommend several!

Bobf

6-Aug-2008, 03:12

Not to "diss" the Peak District by any means (!) but with limited time, the Lakes provide a more compact experience and I think the most picturesque landscapes in England. If you are driving yourself however, be aware than once off the main roads they can be narrow, steep and twisty (which just adds to the fun for someone used to driving on the right ;) )...

If you fancy a walk and the weather is fine, the 3 mile stroll around Buttermere is a favourite (and level) one. Getting there via the Honister Pass is quite fun too... The area will be crowded as you are there in the middle of the summer holidays however which can be a pain - I always go in spring or autumn. I doubt Wordsworth would be feeling very "lonely as a cloud" these days...

Just remember that all that water in the lakes has to get there via the sky. Like they say, there is no such thing as bad weather: it just means that you have the wrong clothing on...

Have fun, Bob.

Bob Salomon

6-Aug-2008, 04:45

Bob,
You going for photographic purposes? LF?

Thanks, it is a business trip but not for any of our photo lines.

Marc

Saturday will be my first day there and will probably collapse around 15:00. Sunday I will have to meet others so would only have the morning. The rest of the time will be meetings.

Bob

Joanna Carter

6-Aug-2008, 05:32

Saturday will be my first day there and will probably collapse around 15:00. Sunday I will have to meet others so would only have the morning. The rest of the time will be meetings.
Bob, I did PM you, did you get my message?

If you only have Sunday morning available, then I would not think that you would be able to see anything much outside of the City, which is not all that big. What kind of things would interest you?

Bob Salomon

6-Aug-2008, 06:04

Bob, I did PM you, did you get my message?

If you only have Sunday morning available, then I would not think that you would be able to see anything much outside of the City, which is not all that big. What kind of things would interest you?

Sorry, no. I did not get your message.

I would probably look for some historical places or museums. Hopefully I will have more trips there in the future but this one is almost all business and not too long.

Marc

9-Aug-2008, 04:15

I would probably look for some historical places or museums. Hopefully I will have more trips there in the future but this one is almost all business and not too long.

Museums:
Manchester Museum on Oxford Road (Part of the University). Nice mixed collections. Loads(!!) of kids on weekends, though. No photography permitted IIRC, but I'm not sure any more.
http://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/

Museum of Science and Industry in Castlefield. Brilliant if you want to have a look about the Engineering Heritage of the Northwest. Some really great collections and unusual buildings! Not sure about photography, though...
http://www.msim.org.uk/

Imperial War Museum North
Incredible modern building. Great viewing tower. to see Trafford Park, Salford, etc.
Last time I went (a few years back) they made you sign a form that ytou were not photographing commercially.
http://north.iwm.org.uk/

For historical places I'd suggest the NT sites I mentioned above. All within 20-30 minutes (by car) from the city centre.

Other places in town:
Manchester cathedral is nice, if a little unspectacular.
Some of the University buildings are worth a look.
Sometimes you can get into the old Victoria Baths, but that requires some preparation with the trust. But they do allow photography in there! We had quite a couple of LF sessions in there a little while back. It may best be kept for a later visit and then allows for a setup with maybe a few more LF people.
The Town Hall is also worth a look, and be it just for the statues of Joule and Dalton...
Heaton Park is also quite interesting.

And dare I suggest that it may be worth visiting Liverpool for a little? Its about 35 mins on the train and has an intersting town centre. Just secure all your valuables before going!!! :)

Marc

Bob Salomon

9-Aug-2008, 05:46

Marc,

Thanks,

Bob