What to do in Manchester when it rains
Published on 19 November 15
With storm Abigail and Barney just behind us, a lot of you will be thinking of hiding away indoors to avoid the gloomy winter weather, only resurfacing to go to lectures and the odd trip to Lidl.
But don’t let the wet weather put you off! There’s so much going on in the city this winter that will make you forget all about the rain, from soaking up some Manchester history to getting your caffeine fix. So get out your umbrellas and go explore this winter!
1. Soak up some culture
‘Museum of the Year 2015’ The Whitworth Art Gallery is just a short walk from the UoM campus so there’s really no excuse not to visit!
Exhibitions this winter include the inspiring Art_Textiles as well as work from Bedwyr Williams, Richard Forster and Jonnie Shand Kydd.
2. Get your skates on
This festive period sees the return of the Manchester Ice Rink, and what better way to de-stress from doing uni work than ice skating with friends?
While this one may be outdoors, you can take spin when the rain subsides and go and shelter in one of the nearby bars and restaurants if it starts up again.
3. Reach new heights
Manchester Climbing Centre hold some great value taster sessions for adults to get into climbing and try something new this winter.
Learn the basics with an introductory one-hour session for £30 per person including wall entry and equipment hire and £15 for subsequent people.
4. Shop till it stops
What better way to get out the rain than with a spot of shopping? As the festive season quickly approaches, many of you will have plenty of Christmas shopping to get through and Manchester’s intu Trafford Centre has everything you could need.
With everything under one roof (and just a quick car/bus journey away) it’s the perfect place to get out of the rain and treat yourself this winter!
5. Get stuck into a book
There’s something about cosying up with a good book that makes the rain seem miles away, and where better to get stuck into a good book than our very own John Rylands Library?
Go and visit this neo-gothic library and take in the beautiful setting while you do some reading - plus there are free tours to learn about this fascinating building and some of its history if you need a break.
6. Escape from a locked room
These Crystal Maze-style escape rooms are becoming increasingly popular and take teamwork (and lots of fun) to get out before your times up, with variations including ‘Prison Break’, ‘Virus’ and even ‘Madchester’!
Check out Breakout Manchester on Brazennose Street, The Escape Room and the latest edition, Trapped Up North.
7. Get your caffeine fix
There’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee to melt away the winter blues, and in Manchester you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to coffee shops and cafes.
Our top picks for a nice winter warmer are Home Sweet Home, Teacup and Takk, but venture into Manchester and you’ll undoubtedly find a cosy spot to hide from the rain!
8. Explore Manchester’s rich history
There’s more to Manchester than just the rain! With Manchester Museum, the People's History Museum and the National Football Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry there's something for everyone when it comes to exploring Manchester's past.
9. Get crafty for Christmas
The Handmade Christmas Fair is coming to Manchester this November with skills workshops, a shopping village and expert talks from Kirstie Allsopp and more!
So what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than spend the afternoon shopping, crafting and getting inspired for the festive season.
10. Hit the slopes
What better way to get out the rain that to get stuck into the snow! Take a trip to Manchester’s Chill Factore this winter and try your hand at snowboarding, skiing or even extreme sledging this winter.
Taster sessions are around £27.00 and are a great way to have fun with your friends during a rainy spell.