Most news and events just a swipe or a tap away, you may be mistaken for believing there are few places left to discover in the city. We’ve been digging deep to pick out three spots you may not be familiar with, hoping to find something to cater for all tastes.
1. Watch the stars: Godlee Observatory on Sackville Street
You don’t need to take a trip out to Jodrell Bank to get a taste of stargazing. Located just across from Sackville Gardens, the stunning Godlee Observatory is home to the Manchester Astronomical Society. Since 1946, members have had free access to the Godlee telescopes, equipped with an 8″ refractor, counter-balanced by a 12″ Newtonian reflector. The society meet each week on Thursday evenings, with members of the public welcome to attend meetings before considering joining themselves, or could perhaps head down to one of their frequent lectures in the John Dalton Building.
Godlee Observatory, Sackville Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 1QD, Tel: 0161 306 4977 www.gostargazing.co.uk
2. Victorian fun and games: Manchester Tennis & Racquets Club off Deansgate in Salford
Beginning life as two rackets courts in 1874, The Manchester Tennis & Racquets Club is located in a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian building on Blackfriars Road. The building boasts one of only 46 ‘real tennis’ courts in the world, and the only squash court close to the city centre. The club offer fully-qualified professional staff to teach you how to become proficient, as well as an event space catering for more than 100 people.
Manchester Tennis & Racquets Club, 33 Blackfriars Rd, Salford M3 7AQ, Tel: 0161 834 0616 www.mtrc.co.uk
3. Manchester Diving Group at Chorlton Bus Station
With a history stretching back to the end of of the Second World War, the Manchester Diving Group are now the North West’s premier diving club. Located at the Old Tramways Offices on Barlow Moor Road, the group host a number of dives across the country throughout the year, with plenty of socials on offer during the winter months. Not sure if it’s for you? No need to dive in at the deep end, the club offer try dives for £10 and underwater hockey sessions for £4 at Hough End Leisure Centre.
Manchester Diving Group, 475 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton Manchester, M21 8DQ, Tel: 0161 881 9050 www.manchesterdiving.org.uk
- Words:
- Rich Holmes
- Published on:
- Fri 5 Apr 2019
