Have you found yourself with a layover at Manchester Airport and contemplating how to make the most of your time there instead of just waiting?
Manchester is a major city in the northwest of England with a rich industrial heritage.
Many travelers are usually surprised when they find out that Manchester is famous for being the first industrialized city in the world!
In today’s guide, we’ve done our digging to unveil you the best things you can do near Manchester Airport during a layover or flight delay.
Without further ado, let’s dive into it!
There are a lot of amazing things a traveler can do near Manchester Airport during a layover since the opportunities are endless in this majestic and culturally rich city!
Below, we present you with our list starting with no other than visiting the Runway Visitor Park!
1) Visit the Science and Industry Museum
The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is a fascinating destination that showcases the city’s rich industrial heritage.
Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wide range of exhibitions that the museum features, regarding various aspects of science, technology, and industry.
Plus, throughout the year, the museum offers school visits, educational resources, and workshops that cover a wide range of topics in STEM.
Opening times:
Daily from 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Address: Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4JP, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 8.7 miles from Manchester Airport
2) Admire Football Memorabilia at the National Football Museum
Whether or not you’re a football fan, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit the National Football Museum.
The museum houses a vast collection of football-related exhibits dedicated to legendary players, iconic matches, memorabilia, and interactive displays.
Store Your Luggage Near Manchester Airport with Stasher!
Besides that, it features special events and activities throughout the year, such as appearances by football legends and immersive educational programs.
Opening times:
Daily from 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Prices:
- Manchester Residents: Free of charge
- Adult (16+ years): £13
- Child (5 – 15 years) £7
- Under 5-year-olds: Free of charge
- Students and seniors: £11
Address: Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 10 miles from Manchester Airport
3) Spend a few hours at Quarry Bank Mill
Quarry Bank Mill is a remarkable site in Styal that is the epitome of rich industrial heritage.
It is one of the best-preserved textile factories from the Industrial Revolution and was built back in 1784.
It’s located to the south of Manchester Airport and it definitely should be on your bucket list if you want to learn more about life during the Victorian era and explore the restored cotton mill, gardens, and apprentice house.
Opening times:
- Mill: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Apprentice House: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Quarry Bank House: 11:00 – 4:30 p.m.
- Garden: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Estate: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: Quarry Bank, Styal Rd, Styal, Wilmslow SK9 4LA, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 3.3 miles from Manchester Airport
4) Explore the Runway Visitor Park
The Runway Visitor Park is located right next to the airport and offers a unique experience for aviation enthusiasts.
The park provides excellent views of the runways at Manchester Airport, allowing travelers to watch planes take off and land up close.
Also, there are designated viewing areas consisting of benches and picnic tables for optimal plane spotting.
Moreover, the park often hosts special events and activities, such as aircraft tours, and aviation-themed workshops to enjoy with your family and friends.
Before you leave, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop, and choose between a wide variety of aviation-themed souvenirs.
Address: Runway Visitor Park, Sunbank Ln, Altrincham WA15 8XQ, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 2.5 miles from Manchester Airport
Without a doubt, exploring The Runway Visitor Park is a must-do on your trip to Manchester, and one of the most convenient experiences since it’s that close to the Manchester Airport. But, dragging your luggage through this beautiful park can quickly dampen the experience.
This is where Stasher comes in, offering a convenient, secure, and affordable luggage storage solution.
While we’ll elaborate on our services later, Stasher provides a comprehensive network of secure luggage storage locations near Manchester Airport.
Also, it is super easy to use and store your bags and you can book a location either through our platform or app (Android or iOS) in under 2 minutes!
Go ahead and give it a go yourself in the interactive demo below.
Let’s move on to the next adventure on our list.
5) Get in Touch with Nature at the White Peak Alpaca Farm
The White Peak Alpaca Farm is a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Cheshire and a great family vacation idea if you ask us!
This is your chance to get up close with adorable alpacas and find serenity within nature.
If you opt for the meet-and-greet experience, you’ll have the chance to meet and cuddle a few of these furry creatures.
Besides that, you can choose the walking experience and set off on a walk that lasts around 40 minutes.
Admission:
- Farm Entry: £5 per person
- Meet & Greet: £10 per person
- Walking experience: £25 per person
Opening hours:
The farm is open 7 days a week, but pre-booking is essential.
Address: Paddock Hill, Mobberley, Knutsford WA16 7DB, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 7.8 miles from Manchester Airport
6) Savor Local Delicacies at Altrincham Market
Altrincham Market is a vibrant market located in the town of Altrincham, southwest of Manchester.
It’s a bustling spot where local farmers and producers sell fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and other locally sourced goods.
In addition to food and drink, Altrincham Market hosts a vintage market where you can find unique gems from handmade crafts to vintage clothing and jewelry.
Opening hours:
It is open Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Address: Greenwood St, Altrincham WA14 1SA, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 5 miles from Manchester Airport
7) Have a blast at Romper Pub
If you’re looking for a place to eat and drink near Manchester Airport, then you should definitely visit Romper Pub.
It’s a modern British pub and restaurant and you can expect to find meals at logical prices around £10-30.
It is a country-style pub, with cozy vibes, ideal for a quick drink or meal, after a long day of exploration.
Opening hours:
Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: Wilmslow Rd, Altrincham WA15 8XJ, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 2 miles from Manchester Airport
8) Stroll around Wythenshawe Park
Wythenshawe Park is a beautiful park located in South Manchester and boasts a variety of wildflower meadows.
It’s a delightful green space with gardens, woodlands, and sports facilities and an enticing spot to enjoy a picnic and some leisure time with your friends or family.
Regarding accessibility, you can easily access the park by car or public transport, and there’s parking available on-site.
Address: Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 2.9 miles from Manchester Airport
9) Take a stroll along the Bridgewater Canal
The Bridgewater Canal is a historic waterway that runs from Runcorn to Leigh, passing through the city of Manchester.
It offers picturesque views of the surrounding countryside and urban landscapes and you can even book a boat trip along the canal to experience the waterway from a different perspective.
Address: Bridgewater Canal, United Kingdom
Proximity to Manchester Airport: 10 miles from Manchester Airport
Now that we covered some adventurous things to do near Manchester Airport, let’s see how easy it is to get around Manchester Airport.
Getting Around Manchester Airport
Getting around Manchester Airport is quite easy since there are numerous options to choose from.
Travelers can easily leave the airport and go back to it, through transport options such as train, bus, and car.
Manchester Airport has three passenger terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, and each of them serves different airlines and destinations.
In case you need to transfer between terminals, Manchester Airport provides free shuttle buses that run regularly between the above terminals.
The shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible and operate 24/7.
Moreover, the airport has its own train station and you can take a train from the airport to various destinations across the UK, including Manchester city center, Liverpool, and Leeds.
If the above options don’t suit your needs, then you can opt for a more pricey option which is taxis and ride-sharing services.
How to Store Your Luggage Near Manchester Airport
As we previously mentioned, dragging your luggage around while immersing yourself in unique adventures in the vibrant borough of Manchester, is not a piece of cake.
That’s where Stasher is stepping in!
At Stasher, we’ve partnered with hotels, cafes, and local shops, in over 890 cities worldwide to cater to the needs of every traveler, looking to safely store their luggage for a few hours or days.
Let’s walk you through the simple step-by-step process of how to store your bags near Manchester Airport with the help of Stasher.
After selecting Manchester Airport, you need to choose the date or dates and the amount of bags that you’ll carry with you.
Next, all you have to do is press the search button and a map will be presented to you along with the available nearby hotels, Airbnbs, shops, etc.
Moving on, you can choose the desired place to store your bags (we call them “Stashpoints”) and then press the “book” button.
Up next, it’s time for your checkout; move forward with your payment and you are ready to go!
Based on the above facts, if you feel that Stasher is the best fit for you, you can simply head over to our homepage or download our app for Android or iOS, and store your luggage anywhere with Stasher!
