Roughly 5 miles from the City Centre, Chorlton and Didsbury are the cosmopolitan heart of Manchester, home to some of the most stylish and vibrant communities in the city. Awash with organic delis, independent bars and restaurants and plenty of green space, Chorlton and Didsbury are both great place to visit if you’re looking for slice of tranquillity away from the buzz of the city, and frequent bus routes to and from the universities means its super easy to get to this southern gem of Manchester.
If food is what you’re after, both Chorlton and Disbury have some great options whether you’re looking for a lunchtime bite or decadent 3-course meal. Chorlton is famed for its number of delis, with the award-winning Epicerie Ludo being a stand-out choice for its selection of French picnic fodder, freshly bakes baguettes and great selection of wines available. Other delis include the Eastern European-inspired Barbakan, the ever-popular North Star Deli and cheese specialists Hickson & Black’s. Over In Didsbury, The Art of Tea is a popular boho-style café and music venue offering a wide selection of teas and coffees, fresh cakes and a great evening menu. The café is also adjoined to the wonderfully eccentric Didsbury Village Bookshop, where you can pick up a book spend the morning sipping tea and reading in a corner in this chilled out café bar. For an evening meal, Didsbury’s Gusto is a great choice with its luxurious leather booths and delicious Italian menu. And for authentic Spanish tapas, check out Chorlton’s Bar San Juan on Beech Road, or have a bite to eat at The Laundrette – a former laundrette-turned-restaurant serving cocktails and creative pizzas in a relaxed setting.
When it comes to nightlife, both Chorlton and Didsbury have built up their own niche of independent ale houses, fancy cocktail bars and upmarket boozers, with a few traditional pubs thrown in for good measure. In Chorlton, Oddest bar is the ideal place to get craft beers, wines and cocktails, with its outdoor seating the ideal place to spend a lazy summer evening. Other favourites are beer and ale specialist Electrik, ambient lounge bar and music venue The Jackalope, and one time police station-turned-bar The Lead Station which served fresh food alongside a unique drinks menu. Over in Didsbury, Folk has the reputation as one of the friendliest evening venues, with its mix of jazz, reggae and old-school music a popular weekend choice. The Violet Hour, Chalk Bar and Grill and Volta are also worth a visit. And for traditional English pubs, check out The Didsbury, The Metropolitan or The Woodstock, or head to Chorlton’s Horse and Jockey for a pint in a picturesque Tudor building.
Chorlton has some great shopping choices, with McQueen offering Scandinavian cool pieces and interesting jewellery on Beech Road. Nearby Nood is great for independent fashion with a vintage vibe, and No.68 is so packed with knick knacks, gifts, homeware and clothing you could get lost for hours! Steranko in Didsbury offers fashionable pieces in both Menswear and Womenswear and is definitely one not to miss if you’re browsing Didsbury’s shops. And if you prefer everything all in one place, head down to Parrs Wood entertainment centre for your typical chain restaurants, cinema and bowling all under one roof. Both Chorlton and Didsbury also hold several small festivals throughout the year, with highlights including the Didsbury Arts festival, Chorlton Beer & Cider Festival, Chorlton Book Festival and the Manchester Vegan Fair. Plus Didsbury’s Everyman Art Gallery and Chorlton’s The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre are both stand-out venues that offer interesting exhibitions and performances that are worth checking out.
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The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
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