Mary’s Church


St. Mary’s Church is one of Aalborg’s more modern churches, as the Roman Catholic parish has only existed since 1898. Nonetheless, St. Mary’s is one of v.

The parish was established when bishop Von Euch invited two Camillian Fathers, Father Vido, and Father Tembories, to work in Denmark. St. Mary’s parish was then established on April 19, 1898, in what is known as Kamillianergaarden. In the years that followed, Kamillianergaarden functioned as a hospital and a surgical clinic.

In 1926, the new St. Mary’s Church was opened on the corner of Kastetvej and Badehusvej where it is still standing today.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

 

The former home of the famous author and her family is a rare and carefully-restored example of the elegant Regency-style villas once popular in Manchester

Gaskell lived here from 1850 to 1865, during which time she wrote nearly all of her best-known novels, including Cranford, Ruth, North and South and Wives and Daughters, and was visited by writers including Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens.

The Grade II*-listed property has spectacular period rooms, gardens, a tea room for visitors to enjoy – and a book shop.

Abraham Lincoln statue


It’s all to do with the city’s cotton industry and its workers’ support for his abolition of slavery during the American civil war.

As the inscription on the plinth explains: “By supporting the union under President Lincoln at a time when there was an economic blockade of the southern states, the Lancashire cotton workers were denied access to raw cotton which caused considerable unemployment throughout the cotton industry.” So, there you go.

The bronze monument originally stood in Platt Fields Park and was moved to Lincoln Square, a new city center square named in his honor, in 1989.

Heaton park boating lake


If you’re looking for something a little different and for a fun way to relax in the coming months, look no further than the boating lake.

Row, row, row your boat gently… around Heaton Park boating lake.

The boats have been a staple of the park from more than 100 years and still to this day, people can’t help but grab some oars and take to the gentle water.

The picturesque lake is also overlooked by the Lakeside Café so whether you’d prefer to stay dry lakeside or refuel after a spin in a boat you can pop in and see what delicacies are on offer.

There’s plenty of other things to do at the park, with it being the biggest park in the North West, from visiting the animal farm to partaking in a round of golf on the 18-hole golf course.

Homeless Jesus


Just outside of St Ann’s Church is a statue on a bench. The statue is laying down and for all intents and purposes looks like a homeless man sleeping on a bench. But if you look at is feet you will see holes, the only giveaway is that the statue is of Jesus.

The theory is that if Jesus was alive today, he would be homeless. It is inspired by the escalation of homelessness in British cities. There is room for one person to sit on the bench at Jesus’ feet. Alongside the sculpture can be found quotes from the parable of the sheep and goats.

This sculpture is part of a unique worldwide sculpture project, where the same piece is to be installed in a number of global cities. This one is the first to be installed in England and was donated to St Ann’s church anonymously.

Vimto Statue


A bit of a more lighthearted hidden gem for my last statue, the Vimto Statue. I did not know that Vimto was invented in Manchester in 1908. Found in the originally named Vimto Park, this is the original site of the Vimto factory.

The oversized wooden monument was unveiled in 1992. It shows a bottle of the drink, plus fruits and herbs that go into making the drink. The monument is carved out of sustainable wood and is just a fun hidden gem in the city.

The Britons Protection


Another old Victorian pub that dates to the 19th century, The Britons Protection is actually the oldest pub in Manchester. It’s not far from the Peveril, being on Bridge Water Street, and is bigger than it looks from the outside. One for whisky lovers, the pub stocks more than 300 whiskies. They also serve food, in the form of good old fashioned homemade pub grub, but literally at lunchtime only.

It’s not just the fact that it’s the oldest pub or the fact that it’s a true local pub that makes this a hidden gem, but also the murals in the corridor. Here you will find paintings of the Peterloo Massacre, The Britons Protection is the only place in Manchester to commemorate this slaughter. As this historic event took place right outside the pub’s door, it’s fitting that the murals are here. If you go to wet your whistle in this old pub, be sure to take a look at the artwork.

Godlee Observatory


Unassumingly tucked away on the roof of the Sackville Building, the Godlee Observatory is often forgotten as it quietly watches over the city from its rooftop position. As the current base for Manchester’s Astronomical Society, the observatory is only open to the public on a strictly by-appointment-only basis, but at just a phone call away it still remains one of the best ways to scan the skies both after dark and before. 

Town Hall Tavren

 

The Town Hall Tavern is a cozy Manchester pub and, as the name would suggest, it’s a stone’s throw from the Town Hall. Hidden away down a narrow alleyway off Albert Square, The Town Hall Tavern is a real favorite with Manchester locals. Known for its charm and relaxing atmosphere, this hidden gem is a great place to spend an evening and an essential stop-off on any Manchester pub crawl.

Upstairs there’s a private function room, great for venue hire or secret parties. Downstairs is less mysterious; there is a great raised area with a long bar featuring a large selection of great drinks. If you’re a little peckish then the pub serves Pieminister’s famous pasty offerings.

Healey Dell Torrent Manchester

 

Healey Dell is a beauty spot and wildlife sanctuary rich in industrial archaeology, two miles from Rochdale town centre on the way to Whitworth and Bacup. The River Spodden has carved its way through the woodlands for thousands of years, creating delightful scenery and spectacular waterfalls which once powered ancient corn, wool, and cotton mills.

A disused 1800s railway line is now a nature trail with magnificent views from a 100-foot-high viaduct.

Take the trails to see some spectacular sights.

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