The Best of Manchester
4 day holiday - Tuesday 10th November 2026
Highlights...
- Ordsall Hall - Tudor Mansion
- John Rylands Library
- ‘CATS’ The Musical
Looking for the ultimate city break this winter? Few cities tell the story of Britain quite like
Manchester. Founded by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago, it went on to become the world's first industrialised city, the engine room of an empire where the cotton trade built fortunes and the first passenger railway changed travel forever. That ambition never really left. Today, grand Victorian brick buildings stand alongside gleaming modern architecture, narrow canals weave between boutique shops and cultural landmarks. It was home to suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst; inspired the paintings of L.S. Lowry and has nurtured the Hallé Orchestra for over 160 years. On this carefully curated break, every excursion has been chosen to bring the very best of Manchester to life, from the Tudor timbers of Ordsall Hall, to the breath-taking John Rylands Library, commissioned by a devoted widow as a memorial to her husband and now one of the finest neo-Gothic buildings in Europe. There is time to explore the treasures inside the Manchester Art Gallery, and an afternoon at the theatre to see the musical CATS, all connected by a scenic guided coach tour via the Manchester Cathedral of the city's most iconic landmarks.
The practical details have all been taken care of. Door-to-door cars collect you from home and return you at the end of the holiday, with coach travel throughout, keeping the journey relaxed and sociable. A 4-star city centre hotel provides a comfortable and convenient base, with dinner, breakfast, and lunch included every day. Many of our guests tell us that the hardest part was simply deciding to go! All that remains is to enjoy it, in the very best company, in one of Britain's most compelling cities: Manchester.
Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★
Originally a warehouse dating back to 1844, this 4-star Grade II listed hotel sits on the banks of the River Irwell, in the vibrant Spinningfields district. The characterful rooms retain original exposed brick walls and oak-beamed ceilings alongside modern comforts including a flat-screen TV, free WiFi, 24-hour room service, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Lift access is available throughout the hotel, with accessible rooms and walk-in showers on request (please notify us of any requirements at the time of booking). Located within easy reach of our excursions and the local area, this hotel is conveniently placed should you wish to explore at your own pace. Each morning begins with a full English or continental breakfast buffet in the hotel, and each evening our group dines together with a three-course dinner and two glasses of wine, beer or soft drink included.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday 10th November
Your holiday begins from the moment we collect you from your home. A door-to-door car transfers you to our meeting point at the Crowne Plaza, Gerrards Cross. The Cultural Breaks Tour Managers, who will be with you throughout the holiday, will welcome you and there will be tea or coffee and pastries served as the group arrives. From there, the coach heads north with a lunch stop along the way. On arrival at our hotel, your Tour Managers will assist with check-in and porterage is on hand to help you settle in, before our three-course evening meal.
Day 2- Wednesday 11th November
Today we are joined by our Blue Badge Guide for a day of exploration. The morning begins with a scenic coach tour of Manchester's most iconic landmarks including Manchester Cathedral, a magnificent medieval building with origins dating to the 15th century. We have a guided visit inside John Rylands Library, a neo-Gothic building completed in 1900, housing one of the most significant collections of rare books and manuscripts in the UK, including the oldest known fragment of the New Testament. After lunch in the city, the afternoon takes us to the Manchester Art Gallery, where you’ll have time to explore its outstanding collection, including celebrated Pre-Raphaelite works alongside paintings by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, L. S. Lowry and Paul Cézanne. Both the art gallery and library offer level access throughout. The coach then returns us to the hotel for our evening meal.
Day 3 – Thursday 12th November
Our first excursion today is located at Ordsall Hall, one of the finest surviving Tudor manor houses in the northwest, dating back to the 15th century. A guided tour brings its remarkable history to life, from the medieval great hall to its connections with the Gunpowder Plot, and the hall is accessible throughout. After lunch, the coach transfers us to the Palace Theatre for the matinee of CATS, where the Tour Managers will assist with finding your seat in the stalls. Your ticket during the interval includes a reserved table in the Ambassador Gold Lounge, glass of prosecco, crisps, ice cream and a programme* (where available). After the show, the coach takes us back to the hotel for dinner.
A 'Memory' in the Making: CATS
One of the most beloved musicals ever written comes to life in a stunning new production at Manchester's magnificent Palace Theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS, based on T.S. Eliot's ‘Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats’, has captivated audiences worldwide for over four decades, and this fresh reimagining, directed and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie, brings new energy and vision to its unforgettable score. Your best-stalls seats await for a magical matinee performance featuring Memory, Macavity, and The Jellicle Ball. Tickets are included for a truly special addition to your Manchester holiday!
Day 4 – Friday 13th November
After breakfast, your Tour Managers oversee check-out and ensure all luggage is loaded before departure. The coach heads south with a relaxed stop en-route for a 2-course farewell lunch with tea or coffee included. From there we continue to our meeting point at the Crowne Plaza, Gerrards Cross for refreshments. Your Tour Managers will remain on hand until every guest has been collected by their door-to-door car.

Total Price of the Holiday: £1,875 per person
Deposit: £300
Balance due:
12th August 2026
Whats Included:
- Return door to door car service
- Coach travel throughout the holiday
- Three nights at the 4-Star Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel
- 3-course dinner with 2 glasses of wine, beer or soft drinks every night
- Full English or continental breakfast buffet every morning
- Lunch with coffee or tea every day
- 2-course farewell lunch on the last day
- Refreshments on the first and final day at the Crowne Plaza
- All Admission/talks/tours at properties visited:
- CATS at The Palace Theatre Manchester – Best Stalls Seating
- Ambassador Gold Lounge Experience:
- Prosecco, crisps, ice cream and a programme* (where available)
- City Highlights Coach Tour with a Blue Badge Guide
- John Rylands Library
- Manchester Art Gallery
- Ordsall Hall
- The services of your Tour Managers throughout your stay
- Gratuities & V.A.T
Upgrades: Upgrade to an Executive Room for an extra £75
The minimum number required for this holiday is 10.
For more information or to book call
020 4568 3377
