If you’re looking for a delicious and satisfying breakfast around Oxford Road, you’re in luck! Manchester’s vibrant knowledge quarter is home to a wide variety of eateries serving up tasty morning meals to kickstart your day.
Things to do this April
The weather remains unpredictable as we head into spring, but you can hang your hat on there being plenty of things to do in April around Oxford Road.
There are a lot of great exhibitions to see around Oxford Road at the moment; we highly recommend making time this April to get out there and see them. New this month is Archives at Play 2, the second in a two-part series of exhibitions inviting an exciting roster of artists to delve into Castlefield Gallery’s archive. These exhibitions are part of a process of reflection as the gallery approaches its 40th year.
CIPHER is a new exhibition at HOME’s Granada Foundation Gallery by the Manchester Open 2022 Award winner Gwen Evans, previewing on April 6, it joins three exhibitions already on display in the main gallery space. Traces of Displacement opens this month at the Whitworth and delves into the gallery’s collection to address one of the major humanitarian concerns of the 20th and 21st centuries – forced displacement. At Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, a new, year-long exhibition explores how Gaskell presented Manchester and its people through her novels and short stories and the impact she had through her writing.
Some huge names, including Lemar and Peter Doherty, play Oxford Road this month. Manchester Punk Festival returns, and if you’re quick, you might be able to grab one of the few remaining tickets. We’re delighted to see Ríoghnach Connolly and Honeyfeet top the bill for Victoria Bath’s SpringFest. Other great bands to see in April include Orielles at Canvas, Petite Noir at YES and Teleman at Gorilla. There are so many more gigs happening in the coming weeks, check our live music guide to discover more.
Other top recommendations for this month are Dave Haslam and Jeremy Deller’s in-conversation at the Whitworth, An Evening with Douglas Stuart and Manchester Literature Festival, Caroline Jay’s Percival Lecture examining the relationship between humans and machines, and Manchester Museum’s Earth Day Big Weekender.
It’s also Easter Holidays and we’ve pulled together some ideas of things to do over half term.
Top things to do this month
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More things to do
The Pankhurst Centre | 29 August 2021 – 31 August 2025
The transformation of the Pankhurst Centre exhibition space is incredible thanks to its new permanent exhibition, At Home with the Pankhurst Family.
The Whitworth | 26 January – 26 November 2023
(Un)Defining Queer delves into the Whitworth’s collection to examine how we can use a queer lens to define what the term ‘queer’ means.
HOME | 18 February – 4 June 2023
HOME present Natural Interaction, a solo exhibition by Nick Jordan featuring new films, prints, photographs, painting and sculptural works.
HOME | 18 February – 4 June 2023
Is there anybody there? at HOME uses archive film to create a monumental study of cultural traditions, procession and ceremony.
HOME | 18 February – 4 June 2023
Painting, An Unending is a solo show of new work by artist Parham Ghalamdar, his largest institutional exhibition to date.
The Manchester Museum | 18 February – 31 December 2023
Golden Mummies of Egypt is Manchester Museum’s re-opening exhibition. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience opens in February 2023.
The Manchester Museum | 18 February – 31 July 2023
Dab Hands is an exhibition that celebrates the extraordinary relationship that we have with our hands and the value of the skills that can be acquired
Castlefield Gallery | 26 March – 4 June 2023
Archives at Play 2 is the second in a two-part series of exhibitions inviting an exciting roster of artists to delve into Castlefield Gallery’s archive.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House | 2 April 2023
A new exhibition exploring how Elizabeth Gaskell presented Manchester and its people through her novels and short stories, and the impact she had through her writing.
HOME | 7 April – 11 June 2023
CIPHER makes voyeurs of its viewers; cryptic domestic narratives frame subjects in private states of exchange, isolation, and contemplation.
The Whitworth | 7 April 2023 – 7 January 2024
Traces of Displacement uses the Whitworth’s collection to address one of the major humanitarian concerns – forced displacement.
Manchester Central Library | 15 April – 25 June 2023
A fascinating retrospective of photographer Jill Furmanovsky featuring some of the most famous works from 50 years of rock photography
Food & Drink
Sunday Roasts are one of the UK’s more fiercely guarded traditions, something loved by locals and a must-try for visitors. Luckily, some of the best Sunday Roasts in Manchester are plated right here on the Oxford Road.
Oxford Road is packed with a great range of bars where you can get your fill of cocktails, spirits and fizz.
Museums & Galleries
A visually stunning art gallery located at the heart of Whitworth Park, with a collection containing around 55,000 items.
This beautifully restored Grade II listed villa was once home to Elizabeth Gaskell, one of the UK’s most important Victorian writers.
Discover the story of the suffragettes and learn about women’s activism, past and present, at the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her family.
Victoria Baths is located just outside of the Oxford Road Corridor, but it’s an iconic treasure that’s well worth a visit.
Manchester’s multi-purpose hub of creativity and discovery, bringing together film, theatre, art, and some of the city’s best social spaces.
Manchester School of Art’s Holden Gallery curates an exhibitions programme that focuses exclusively on recent developments in international contemporary visual art.
Live Music
Green Spaces
All Saints Park is a beautiful green space in the heart of the Oxford Road Corridor. Perfect for a quick moment of calm on a busy day.
This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is an eye-catching green space and home to the Whitworth Art Gallery.
Enjoy views of some of the best architecture in Manchester in this green space which was opened in 2018 by The University of Manchester.
University Green is a modern home for retailers and food and drink outlets as well as a tree-lined green space for the public to enjoy.
Circle Square is home to Symphony Park, a beautifully landscaped green space designed for socialising, entertaining, relaxing and exploring.
The outdoor area directly in front of the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, the University of Manchester’s 24/7 study and learning space, provides green spaces for students to enjoy during breaks from teaching and learning.
Where to stay
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel offers an unforgettable stay on Oxford Road Corridor in one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.
Hyatt Regency Manchester is an elegant, modern hotel set in the heart of Oxford Road Corridor.
The Midland Hotel is one of the most famous places to stay in Manchester, and one of Oxford Road Corridor’s most lavishly decorated hotels.
The Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road is a centrally located hotel that offers visitors great value for money.
Hotel ibis on Princess Street offers 126 value for money rooms in a central Manchester location near Oxford Road.