OP
OP
briantrumpet
Shaman
I'll still need to show my over-60s railcard though.
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I'll still need to show my over-60s railcard though.
To be fair to both Leeds AND Manchester, as Northern cities go they're both fairly decent and their central areas are fairly thriving, have plenty of good shops, bars, restaurants, theatres and night life etc. If you want to see how bad the alternatives are may I suggest a trip to either Huddersfield or Bradford? Grim!
First Aspect
Guru
OP
OP
briantrumpet
Shaman
That's what I noticed about Leeds, along with the scale and 'statements' of the many civic buildings.
My only real disappointment was the museum, which didn't really know what it was there for, apart from having old things on display. But we are a bit spoilt by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter, which crams loads in a smallish museum arranged in displays that make you reflect on the individual items, rather than just worthily having rooms arranged by era. So, for instance, there's a display of 'big and small things', and a display of human fashion wear, mostly made out of bits of animals which are either endangered or actually extinct: no commentary is needed. That, to me, exemplifies what a good museum can and should do: not just educate about the past, but make us reflect on our relationship with it.
OP
OP
briantrumpet
Shaman
Both Hitler and the town planners should take a bow for that. The best bit is the Barbican, and specifically the Dolphin Inn, who let you take in fish and chips from the next-door chippie, and serve the bast pint of Bass in the world.
AuroraSaab
Pharaoh
Yes, Leeds is pretty good these days and Manchester has retained a decent town centre. Both have had a city centre living boom which has helped. Not been to the centre of Huddersfield for years but I think a lot of towns of similar size have struggled. Bradford just doesn't seem to attract investment or jobs and it's a shame the recent Leeds growth hasn't been replicated there. Two large cities so close to each other probably doesn't help.
BoldonLad
Old man on a bike. Not a member of a clique.
- Location
- South Tyneside
Living 100 miles North of Leeds, but, amazingly, still in England, I just have to say this, Leeds MAY creep in as "Northern", Manchester is the Midlands 😂
AndyRM
Elder Goth
Mancunians in particular seem to hate having that pointed out.
midlandsgrimpeur
Well-Known Member
I think I have visited most major towns and cities in England over the years. To be fair most of us judge them on the town/city centre which usually tends to only represent a tiny fraction of what a place is like.
Having been bought up in the Black Country there are lots of shitty bits, but far more incredible places that a casual visitor wouldn't have a clue about. Same probably applies to most places.
Having been bought up in the Black Country there are lots of shitty bits, but far more incredible places that a casual visitor wouldn't have a clue about. Same probably applies to most places.
C R
Legendary Member
I lived in Manchester for about six years, 98 to 04. I loved the place. The city centre, in my opinion, has lost a lot of its humanity since, with too many glass cage high rise buildings. I've been back a few times recently, as our oldest is there at university, and, it is still nicer than Birmingham, granted, but nothing like it was in the noughties.
Re Manchester being northern or Midlands. Having lived in the Midlands for 20 years now, I can confirm that Manchester most definitely is northern.
Re Manchester being northern or Midlands. Having lived in the Midlands for 20 years now, I can confirm that Manchester most definitely is northern.
