10 Special Things To Do In Manchester

1. See a beautiful building for free
See a play at the Royal Exchange, pictured right, or just go in for free for a look around. A fantastic juxtaposition of Victorian architecture and high-tech theatre, with round seating bringing a real immediacy to the performances. Currently showing Lady Windermere's Fan. Click here for the Royal Exchange's website: Royal Exchange.

2. Feed the ducks
Wander around the Castlefield Basin, a network of canals, cobbles and restaurants. Sun yourself on a bench (if the weather allows), watch the ducks and geese, and decide which barge you'd live in if you had one. Then go to Duke's 92, a bar and restaurant housed in a converted old stable block, for speciality cheese and pate (they have over forty varieties, served with freshly baked bread). Click here for the Duke's 92 website: Duke's 92.

3. Go up 23 stories for a spectacular view
Jump up and down on the glass ceiling in Cloud 23. The bar itself is pretty ordinary, but the view (from the 23rd floor of the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate) is spectacular. The cocktail list is good too; it includes well-made classics and plenty of original recipes with a Mancunian theme (my wife recommends the Sally Cinnamon). Click here for the Cloud 23 website: Cloud 23.

4. See another beautiful building for free
Be dazzled by the splendour of John Rylands Library. Built in the Gothic style in the 1890s, the Library is dramatic, beautiful and free to go inside. As well as housing special collections of books, the Library also holds free exhibitions. One of its most awe-inspiring artefacts is the St John fragment, the earliest known fragment of the New Testament in any language. Less than nine centimetres high, on one side the papyrus contains parts of verses 31-33, on the other side parts of verses 37-38 of the eighteenth chapter of John's Gospel. Click here for the page on the library from the Manchester University website: John Rylands Library.

5. Marvel at ancient artefacts
Gawp at the Ancient Egyptian mummies in Manchester Museum. The Musuem has one of the world's best displays of mummies, along with their coffins and funerary goods. Click here for the page on the museum from the Manchester University website: Manchester Museum.

6. Have a really good feed in authentic Victorian surroundings
Go to Mr Thomas's Chop House for brown onion soup (cooked for 36 hours) and corned beef hash (ten days in the making) served in an original 19th century pub. Best done whilst wearing something with an elasticated waistband or you'll never get to the pudding menu. Click here for Mr Thomas's website: Mr Thomas's Chophouse.

7. Let your hair down
Dance like mad, in a very small room full of friendly people, at The Star & Garter's Smile night. You can dance wildly all night without anyone batting an eyelid. The next Smile is on 28 April; it's £5 on the door (£4 before 11.30pm) but make sure you get there early-ish to get in as it can fill up quickly. Click here for the Star & Garter website: The Star & Garter.

8. Relive your grungy student days
Mooch with the teenagers at Affleck's Palace (now apparently called Afflecks but it doesn't sound quite the same), amongst the vintage clothing and unusual accessories. And that shop where everyone bought their Joy Division posters in the 1980s is still going! Click here for the Affleck's website: Affleck's.

9. Visit the markets
Manchester City Council have a programme of specialist markets running throughout the year, selling art, fresh produce, crafts and much more. We're looking forward to the Craft & Gift market, running at weekends through April and May in Piccadilly Gardens. Click here for the Council's website on the markets: Manchester Markets.

10. Have an unpretentious night out
Wonder at the miracle that is the Ape & Apple on John Dalton Street: good bitter from Joseph Holt at around £2 a pint! And a jukebox! Blimey! The Ape & Apple doesn't have its own website, but there is more information on the brewery website: Joseph Holt.