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Looking for the best Northern Quarter tours in Manchester? You’ve come to the right place!
Northern Quarter (NQ) is Manchester’s most famous neighbourhood. It’s known for its bars, restaurants, street art and vibrant nightlife scene.
Whether you visit during the day or at night there is always something fun to see and do.
In a rush?
The best walking tour in the Northern Quarter is this local street art tour – it has excellent review and is great value for money.
If you are interested in learning more about the Northern Quarter, these these amazing walking tours are for you! There is something for everyone.
Art lovers will enjoy discovering the street art covered walls, foodies will love the array of street food tours, and there are even options for affordable self-guided tours to learn more about the area.
1. Northern Quarter Street Art Walking Tour
⏰ Duration: 2 hours | ⭐ Reviews: 4.6/5 – See all reviews here | BOOK HERE
This popular tour is a must do for all street art lovers! We may not have any Banksy but one thing is sure, it’s that street art in Manchester is big!
There are a lot of murals and smaller art (like space invaders) all around the Northern Quarter and you can see a lot of them by yourself but having a guide to show you all the hidden gems and explain the history of the art and the artists is very interesting.
This two hour Manchester Northern Quarter tour is led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who will take you to all the best street art spots in the area. You will stroll along the backstreets of NQ looking for pieces.
Street art in Manchester dates from the 1990’s and has always been a way for artists to express themselves.
Many attest to the fact that this tour goes beyond just the art. It’s a look into the history of Manchester and the Northern Quarter, culture, music and politics and the way they have influenced local artists.
You will discover how ceramic art transformed the area as well as gazing at large building sized murals.
It’s also a great thing to do if you want to discover cool Instagram spots in Manchester since this street art tour includes stops in front of the most famous murals in town.
You will meet your guide on Shudehill road, close to the Arndale Centre. The closest train station to the meeting location is Manchester Victoria. You can easily get the tram there.
Please note that if you are interested in booking a walking tour in Manchester, we have an article about the best Manchester walking tours right here.
2. Manchester Bites Food and Drinks Walking Tour
⏰ Duration: 3 hours | ⭐ Reviews: 4.7/5 – See all reviews here | BOOK HERE
Have you ever considered doing one of the food tours in Manchester? Then this one is for you!
Fantastic drinks and good grub are synonymous with the Manchester Northern Quarter. This three hour food and drink walking tour is the perfect way to spend lunch or an early evening.
You will be traveling around the Northern Quarter in groups limited to 10 people and with your food enthusiast Mancunian tour guide.
This tour starts at New Islington Marina (which is a beautiful place by the way!) and takes you around the Northern Quarter and Ancoats.
💡 LOCAL TIP: You will actually find one of the best hidden gems in Manchester right by the meeting point. If you look under the bridge, you will find some lyrics from an Oasis song painted underneath.
As you hop from food stop to food stop your guide will let you know all about the local history of music and the successful bands that started out in the city.
There will be eight different food and drink tastings. You will get to discover local spots that many would pass by on their first visit to Manchester.
I was already living in Manchester for years when I went on that tour and I didn’t even know half of the stops.
From fine cheese and meat from The Butcher’s Quarter to excellent beers and rum you will love discovering a variety of Manchester’s culinary offerings.
You will come away from this NQ food tour with more of an understanding of what the city is all about.
It’s also important to mention that the tour guides are absolutely fantastic. They have a real passion for Manchester and its food scene and they will share everything they know with you!
3. Private Food Tour with Local Guide
⏰ Duration: 3 hours | BOOK HERE
If you are searching for a private Northern Quarter tour for you and your group, this is a lovely choice.
On this three-hour NQ tour you will get to taste a variety of craft ales, enjoy pub grub, cocktails and an array of street food snacks.
As it’s a private tour you can arrange to meet at your hotel or a location of your choice that’s most convenient to you.
The tour itself includes four to six food tastings and two craft beers, cocktails and soft drinks.
Take in the sites of Manchester, learn about the city’s industrial history, and enjoy spending time with your friends or family whilst tasting delicious food.
If you are visiting or new to the UK then this is also an excellent tour. You’ll try classic British food like fish and chips or roast dinner.
You will then head to a local brew pub to try some mouth-watering ales.
Wandering the streets of the Northern Quarter, you’ll discover that everything is on offer. From quirky cocktail bars to global cuisines there’s a place for everyone in the Northern Quarter.
This tour is also the perfect chance to ask your guide any questions about the area as its small private tour.
4. Free Self-Guided Tour of the Northern Quarter
⏰ Duration: Around 2 hours
If you are visiting Manchester on a budget or just want to discover the Northern Quarter with your own freedom this free self-guided tour is an awesome way to explore.
So, how exactly does this free self-guided walking tour work? You will use the app GPSmyCity which can be used on the iTunes or Google Play store.
You can then follow the GPS navigation along a specific walking route taking in the best parts of the Northern Quarter.
No need to worry if you are visiting from out of the country and don’t have data because they’ve got an online and offline walking route option.
The walk is a 1.5km heading along Oldham Street, Church Street, High Street and Shudehill, to name a few streets.
As you walk along the route, you will find music stores, restaurants, bars, book stores, vintage clothing stores and so much more.
This free self-guided walking tour takes all the hassle out of exploring the Northern Quarter, guaranteeing that you find the best route with the best sites.
Best tours in the Northern Quarter of Manchester: Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know everything about the best tours of the Northern Quarter, it’s time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about NQ and the tours.
What areas are in the Manchester Northern Quarter?
The Northern Quarter in Manchester is an actual district located between Piccadilly Gardens and Ancoats.
The most famous streets in this area are Tib Street and Thomas Street.
What is the Northern Quarter famous for?
The Northern Quarter is famous for being one of the most creative neighbourhood in Manchester. It’s known as a hipster and alternative district with a lot of street art, cocktail bars, speakeasies and independent shops.
Why is it called the Northern Quarter Manchester?
The Northern Quarter in Manchester used to be considered as a ‘bad’ area, full of warehouses dating from the industrial revolution.
During the 90s, it was one of the area on which the gentrification project of Manchester focused the most.
It’s during that period of time that it was named the Northern Quarter since it was the quarter located north of the city centre and Piccadilly Gardens.
What postcode is Northern Quarter Manchester?
The Northern Quarter is part of the city centre of Manchester and uses two post codes: M1 and M4.
What was filmed in Northern Quarter?
The Northern Quarter is often used as a filming location because of its resemblance with New York City.
For a lot of movie productions in Europe, it’s much cheaper to film in Manchester than it would be to go to NYC. This is why it’s quite common to find some yellow taxis in the NQ.
Here are some of the famous movies and TV shows that were filmed in the Northern Quarter: Captain America, Ridley Road, Wolfe and The Crown.
Now that you know everything about the best NQ tours of Manchester, it’s time to book and explore! Have fun!
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