Fishink in Town and Country. Manchester Life.
This week has been about cities and countryside. Well one in particular, Manchester. It all started with a walk along the River Mersey from Chorlton to Didsbury. The trees and twisting waterway were quite beautiful.
Next I headed into Manchester to make my first ever visit to Beetham (or Hilton) Tower’s ‘Cloud Bar’.
The Tower is a landmark 47-storey mixed use skyscraper in Manchester city centre. Completed in 2006, it is named after the developers, Beetham Organization, and designed by Ian Simpson. At a height of 168 metres (551 ft), it’s the tallest skyscraper in Manchester, the tallest residential building in the country and the 8th tallest building in the UK. The skyscraper is visible from 10 English counties on a clear day .
It consists of a Hilton Hotel up to level 22 and a noticeable cantilever marks level 23 where there is a bar called Cloud 23. Above this, there are apartments from level 25 up to the triplex penthouse on level 47. It is one of the thinnest skyscrapers in the world and was deliberately designed to be a slender tower. It is also known for its intermittent hum during windy weather, which is often heard as far away as Hulme. The flat hum has been recorded at a B below a middle C and on a sunny day like this, the Cloud Bar also gives pretty splendid views.
I then popped into Jigsaw to see their rather impressive stairway in the Triangle Building. Beautiful tiles and I noticed a cheeky rhino too.
Around the corner for another trip to the beautiful Chetham’s Library. Always well worth a look if you’re in the city centre.
Finally after browsing one of the city roadside maps, I went in search of St Marys Roman Catholic Church. Affectionately known as ‘The Hidden Gem’. Why ? well simply because it is such a place of undeniable beauty with such a powerful atmosphere. It’s located in what was years ago the roughest area of Manchester. St Marys was built in 1794 as the “Mother Church of Catholic Manchester and Salford” and this status still remains today. St Marys is the oldest Catholic Church still in its original place in Manchester and is thought to be the oldest post Reformation Catholic Church to be founded in England.
Situated off Brazennose Street opposite the main entrance to The Town Hall, Albert Square. Alternatively just “off” John Dalton Street through Tasle Alley.
It’s amazing that there is still so much to discover on my doorstep. What hidden gems have you come across lately ?
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I know that water way looks like a canal, but it is in fact the youthful River Mersey, before it turns into the big muddy expanse that flows past Manchester’s rival, Liverpool.
Also, that alcove in Chetham’s Library with the leaded windows and sun-lit table was apparently Karl Marx’s favourite work space while he was in Manchester researching the plight of England’s working class.
Thanks for the insights Julian. My friend Sue had already pointed out about the river Mersey and I had mentioned the Karl Marx link in my previous blog on Chetham’s but you’re right to bring it up again, it’s a great point and beautiful space too.
I’m glad you guys are here to keep my blog posting accurate 🙂 Happy sunny day.
Lovely photos, almost makes me homesick for the UK…. You have an inordinate amount of energy, I would have made it to one location and then taken it easy for the rest of the day!
Thanks for your comments, I do like to pack a bit into my days for sure. Sorry it made you feel homesick but I hope it brought back good memories too 🙂