Our guide to a relaxing weekend in Manchester

Manchester’s great for a weekend of shopping, gigs and bar-hoping. But sometimes taking it slow is all you need, and we’re here for it. 

Whatever unwinding means to you – from getting creative with pottery to just cosying up with a good book – we’ve got plenty to choose from for your relaxing weekend in Manchester. Just finish it off with an at-home or hotel massage with Urban (us!) to top it all off. 

Here’s our top picks:

1. Enjoy classical music at the Manchester Cathedral

If you’re a local, you’ve probably strolled past Manchester Cathedral more times than you’ve noticed. But if you’ve never headed on inside, we’d recommend it for a bit of peace and quiet. 

Into architecture? There’s plenty to look at – from the 15th and 16th century carvings to the stained-glass windows with WW2 scars (it needed restoration after a huge bomb hit in 1940.) If not, it also hosts a range of must-see events.

From relaxing classical coffee concerts on Saturdays, to contemporary live music lit by candlelight, they’ve got everything from string quartets playing Coldplay to Beethoven piano recitals. 

2. Find a cosy corner in the John Rylands Library

If you're looking for a quiet escape, the John Rylands Library is our go-to spot. It feels more like a castle than a library once you’re inside, with its high ceilings and Gothic architecture – making it a great choice for fantasy-reading.

Book fans will be kept very busy as the library’s known for its collection of rare books and manuscripts. But even if you're not much of a bookworm, it’s still worth a visit. The atmosphere of busy students and peaceful study spaces make it a lovely stop-off to unwind.

3. Enjoy afternoon tea at Grand Pacific

Take your day super slow with a late lunch or early dinner afternoon tea. You’re spoilt for choice in Manchester, but if you’d like to combine relaxation with a bit of luxury, then Grand Pacific’s afternoon tea is the one for you.

The building and decor is styled in a way that represents the golden age of high society, making it a fancy place to sip tea. And its selection of treats are just as special – we’re talking duck and hoisin sausage rolls, lobster brioche rolls, warm cinnamon and apple scones – sold.

4. Book a convenient at-home massage with Urban

A spa trip sounds dreamy, but wouldn’t it be even better if it came to you? With Urban (that's us!) you can book a professional massage therapist to come right to your door, whether you’ve booked an AirBnB, a hotel or you’re staying at your friend's place in Manchester.

Just make sure you have enough room to fit a massage table (about the size of a rolled out yoga mat) and a couple of towels, and you’re all set. There’s a choice of over 10 massage treatments, from deep tissue to a relaxing massage, so you can find whatever suits you best. 

Simply book here to get started.

5. Mooch around Manchester Art Gallery

Strolling around an art gallery can make you feel like you’ve soaked up some culture without having to do much – a nice activity for a relaxing afternoon in Manchester.

We suggest starting off with a coffee in the cafe before taking your time to wander through Manchester Art Gallery. Home to an impressive collection of over 2000 oil paintings, the gallery is particularly known for its Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces and significant war art collection, one of the most important outside London. 

Even if you’ve visited before, they regularly update their exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see. Check their website for the latest exhibitions and events.

6. Enjoy coffee with a view at Atrium

When your only weekend plan is to go for coffee, give Atrium a try. With views of St. Peter’s Square, spacious seating, and some of the best coffee in the city (we’ve heard the reviews), it has everything you need for an afternoon treat. Homemade bakes like cinnamon buns and biscoff blondies are also on the menu.

And if you’re a coffee snob – no judgements – they offer coffee training courses, so you know they’re serious in their craft.

7. Take a canal-side stroll

Sometimes a long walk is all you need to unwind, and Manchester's historic canals are great for finding some peace in the busy city. We recommend heading to Castlefield, where you can wander along tranquil towpaths lined with converted warehouses, charming footbridges and the occasional narrowboat drifting by. 

It’s especially serene in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun casts golden reflections on the water. If you fancy a break, you’ll find plenty of waterside cafés and pubs where you can sit back and soak in the view.

8. Book a creative class

While others like to relax by taking things slow, you might prefer getting your creative juices flowing. If so, the nationwide website Class Bento is a great place to start offering top picks for creativity in Manchester. From pottery making, candle making or sip and paint classes, to more one-off activities like wax moon lamp making, there’s lots to choose from.

If this type of thing is new to you but you really want to give it a go, there’s no pressure to be a perfect first-time round. Mindful creativity like this isn’t about the end result, it’s about giving yourself a nice distraction from everyday life. However, there are beginner classes to choose from if you’d rather put your mind at rest.

9. Treat yourself to a spa day

Sometimes relaxing literally means laying in a robe in a dimly-lit room, surrounded by soothing music. For a traditional, ticks-all-the-boxes spa day, we like the sound of the Rena Spa in The Midland Hotel, offering saunas, steam rooms and a dedicated relaxation room – think hanging chairs and sleep chambers.

Or for something new, give your scalp a detox at The Head Spa Manchester – it’s as relaxing as you’d imagine, times 10. Make sure to book in advance – it’s popular.

10. Enjoy a relaxing evening drink

Finish your relaxing weekend in Manchester with a well-deserved cocktail. And although Manchester’s known for its vibrant nightlife, there’s still plenty of places to enjoy a quiet drink. For something quite laid-back, we’d suggest Lock91. 

This converted lock keeper's cottage has kept its cosy charm, with comfortable seating areas and a lovely canalside terrace. It's the perfect spot for a quiet drink, with regular live music to set the tone.

11. Explore Manchester's green spaces

Manchester’s home to around 47 parks, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing somewhere for a relaxing walk. RHS Garden Bridgewater would make for a lovely day out, with 154 acres of gardens to explore, as well as fountains and illuminations (depending on the time of year).

Or there’s plenty of parks to choose from, like Heaton park or Fletcher Moss park and botanical gardens.

If walking is your thing, we’ve put together a list of our favourite walks in Manchester to make upping your step-count that little bit more enjoyable.