Places to visit near Manchester

DH is going to give a lecture at a conference in Manchester and I am going to go out there to see him (doesn't make sense for him to come all the way to Edinburgh as he won't have time).  Is there any place around the area that would be good for a weekend getaway?  Sorry for my ignorance but I don't know much about the city!

Perhaps the Rooneys would put you up for the weekend? They're so lovely and classy 

Perhaps the Rooneys would put you up for the weekend? They're so lovely and classy 

 

What sort of weekend getaway are you looking for? If you're in the city and just want shopping and restaurants, staying in the city itself is your best bet. If you want quiet get away maybe somewhere like Lymm or Knutsford? There are some nice country parks like Dunham Massey, Lyme Park, Tatton Park, etc - they're good just to have a stroll even if you have to pay for parking (unless you're a National Trust member for Dunham and Lyme).

Not really looking for a city break - more like someplace with a bed&breakfast and small shops, decent food.  That sort of thing.  (sorry that's not very specific)

Manchester City Centre is fab within itself, great shopping and museums. If you want to get out into the country, you are spoiled for choice, there is Arley Hall, Tatton Park, Dunham Massey, Lyme Park, The FABULOUS Jodrell Bank.

There is a small hotel in Didsbury, which is about 5 miles out of the city centre and thats a small charming-ish suburb of Manchester. That is a boutique hotel. The City Centre is lovely and small enough to spend a really lovely weekend. I LOVE Manchester!

Chester and Leeds are both roughly 40 miles (each) away from Manchester - in different directions.  A bit further afield (about 70 miles away) - York makes for an excellent getaway of the sort you're describing.

Ooh what about the Peak District?  That seems pretty close?

I've only ever been to Knutsford for a day, but it was nice, clean and quiet:

http://www.virtual-knutsford.co.uk/

The nicer places aren't actually in Manchester, but that's my opinion. Most of the nice stuff is in Cheshire which isn't too far by car

Ooh what about the Peak District?  That seems pretty close?

Definitely!  I'd give top marks for the Peak District as well.

Peak District is nice... although boring compared to the Lake District! There are mines and caverns and other geological stuffs in the Peaks!

Peak District is nice... although boring compared to the Lake District! There are mines and caverns and other geological stuffs in the Peaks!

Don't think we'll have time to get all the way to the Lake District. 

We stayed here once in the Peak District, and really loved the place:

http://www.yorkshire-bridge.co.uk/

The menu is a bit meaty (pub grub), but they do have some veggie options if you want to eat there as well.

We did some lovely walks - you're right by Ladybower Reservoir there.  And we did the classic Stanage Edge walk, beginning in Hathersage.

You'll need a car though!

Am starting to think he is just going to have to get up to Edinburgh.  Have just realised he probably needs to take some suitcases back with him and I'm not schlepping them down to Manchester.  But if we do get movers, then I'm there!! 

I would reccomend Chester, lovely shops, nice cathedral. Of course you could just come to Crewe to see me!