We found ourselves with some free time in Manchester earlier this month, as we were down for burger eating at Grill On The Alley. With a few hours to kill we decided to join in with the new Blogger's Travel Guide which Think Money are currently creating; a UK town + city guide generated by the blogging community, featuring ways to spend a day for under £40.
Our idea was to visit a coffee shop, splash a little more on lunch, and then try to find something fun to do that wouldn't cost us a penny:
As we arrived in Manchester at a leisurely pace we headed straight for a light lunch at Jamie's Italian. Not wanting to stuff myself up for dinner, I had a small mushroom + avocado salad, Hollie got a couple of appetisers to herself, and we shared some ravioli nachos. Tasted great, but the size of my salad was a little small for my liking. Everything else was tip top though.
For both our meals + drinks our bill came to around £25. Find Jamie's Italian here.
We visited the newly opened Foundation Coffee House on Lever Street, in the Northern Quarter. There's been a bit of buzz around this place since it opened; for it's sheer size and its lean towards a more conscious lifestyle. The chap who started Foundation was frustrated with the lack of healthy foods options within coffee shops, so you'll find plenty to choose from here; Fairtrade coffee + tea, fresh juices, protein bars, nuts, but also cakes and the usual.
There's loads of workspace to set-up shop for a few hours, with plenty of natural light, and private meeting spaces. Coffee + cake cost us around £10 in total. Find Foundation Coffee House here.
It wouldn't be a trip to the city without hopping over to the Manchester Art Gallery. The gallery is full with both traditional and contemporary exhibitions and permanent fixture; we usually sway towards to contemporary exhibitions, which features lots of stuff from pop artists, furniture designers + modern installations.
Currently on; The Lost Gardens of Manchester, House Proud, and Summer Workshops for families. Free entry all year around. Find Manchester Art Gallery here.
Thanks for reading,
Mat.
Thanks for reading,
Mat.
Beautiful photos! The food looks amazing, and I love the interior space of the coffee shop!
ReplyDeleteI need to visit Foundation, it looks like a great space (and I've heard good things about the coffee!).
ReplyDeleteFoundation Coffee looks amazing. I loved Manchester - looking forward to visiting again!
ReplyDeleteAlexander @ Mr Essentialist
The coffee house looks awesome, I love those tables (and I love finding a good cafe to do work in!).
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit this art gallery! I love Manchester, been there twice but I have never looked around properly. One day!
ReplyDeleteKatrina Sophia
Nice!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes please! I'll definitely have to add this to my ever growing list of places to see.
ReplyDeletethe food looks really good and the cup is so cute :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
winscribbles.blogspot.com
amazing places.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking places! Definitely save this for a Manchester trip one day :)
ReplyDeleteBest, Albert | Palming Pebbles
Palming Pebbles FB
Thanks Albert. One day!
ReplyDeleteCheers Shannan.
ReplyDeleteWhere have you been in England, I forget?
ReplyDeleteOne day you'll be back!
ReplyDeleteGlad you noticed the tables, cool idea how to join them together if needed.
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend it if you do make it back.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really cool spot, I'd recommend it. Bit different from the others in the area.
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie. We have another City Guide coming up soon too, from Edinburgh.
ReplyDeleteI've only seen London, Bath, Cambridge, and Salisbury. Definitely itching to see more!
ReplyDeleteStick them on your list!
ReplyDelete