[openlyJane]

Given that I live just a little over 30 miles away in Liverpool, I really do not know Manchester city centre at all - apart from fleeting impressions from a couple of past visits. I decided to explore a little more widely today - but, of course, this still represented just a tiny portion of what Manchester has to offer. I hope, and intend, to explore Manchester in more detail and on many more occasions....

 

[openlyJane]

Three hours seems to be the optimum amount of time to spend exploring and photographing an unfamiliar city. I had decided that I definitely wanted to explore the Castlefield area a little today, as well as have a look around The Northern Quarter, and in particular Affleck's Palace- the 'alternative' department store. I arrived quite early at 10am; the weather was fairly mild but overcast - and the city was initially quiet and slow; the streets started to become busier around 12.30pm. I arrived and departed from Oxford Rd Station. The pictures are posted in the order in which they were taken:


I departed from Liverpool South Parkway station:

...and arrived at Oxford Rd station approximately 35 minutes later:

 

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The Spinningfields area:

 

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[openlyJane]

The impressive Town Hall

 

[openlyJane]

Details of Town Hall:

Art Gallery:

 

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Around Piccadilly:

 

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Heading for The Northern Quarter:

 

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Northern Quarter continued:

 

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Afflecks continued:

 

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The Cathedral Square:

 

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Heading over towards Castlefields via the Museum of Science & Industry:

This area of the city is very characterful, industrial and uniquely Manchester

 

[openlyJane]

Castlefields. There is a grim, urban/industrial beauty to this area - it is a special feature of Manchester:

 

[openlyJane]