As we reach a certain age, our perspective on life, love, and dating begins to change. No longer is a hot date seeing the latest movie, or wining and dining in the newest, most expensive restaurant in town – at least not for all of us. Not all the time.
Modern dating is about mutual interests, compatibility, and the enjoyment of just being together. If you’re from the Manchester area, and your latest date has included architecture amongst their pastimes, here are a few ideas which may just pique their interest.
1. A Fabulous First Date
First dates can often be a stressful experience. A daytime visit to the beautiful Castlefield Urban Heritage Park could be just the thing to allay those niggling little concerns. Stroll in the sunshine alongside the tranquil Bridgewater canal. Book a tour on a converted coal barge, or just enjoy a coffee on the terrace of one of the many 18th century warehouses converted to coffee shops, restaurants, and offices.
2. Fantastic Football (Soccer)
If your date has included both architecture and football (and by that I mean soccer, not American football) in their interests, then make an impression with a visit to the all glass National Football Museum situated on Todd Street. With free entry, café, and souvenir shop, you can both immerse yourselves in your favorite sport as the time flies by.
3. The Museum of Science and Industry
For those with an interest in architecture, the museum stands alongside the oldest railway station in the world. For the science and history buffs, you can enjoy old steam engines and vintage aircrafts before retiring to enjoy a latte. An ideal venue for a unique day out.
4. Manchester Town Hall
Situated in Albert Square, the town hall is a mix of beautiful gothic and Victorian architecture. With six floors to explore, and 23 bells in the bell tower, there is plenty to interest couples with a passion for old architecture and a love of the city in which they live. Plenty of cafés, bars, and retail stores surround the square for both parties to enjoy a little down time.
5. Manchester Cathedral
No matter what your faith, if you love old buildings you can’t fail to be impressed by the splendor of this Gothic building situated in Victoria Street. Built from 1422 to 1506, it became a cathedral in 1847. Manchester Cathedral is a great date place for couples who share a faith, or who wish to explore the faith of others.
6. Chetham’s Hospital and Library
After a little light lunch, a short walk north from the cathedral will bring you and your date to Chetham’s Hospital. Circa 1422, it was once a residence for monks, and is now a music school and public library, holding over 100,000 books, 50% of which were printed before 1850.
7. Manchester Art Gallery
One often finds a love of architecture, modern or old, goes hand in glove with a love of art. Bring out the artistic bent in your date with a visit to Manchester Art Gallery. Sitting in Mosley Street, it houses works from world famous French, British, German, and pre-Raphaelite painters, as well as a comprehensive display of sculptures from the likes of Moore, Epstein, Maillol and Rodin.
8. Heaton Hall and Park
Does your date have a disability that makes prolonged walking or standing difficult? By choosing to visit Heaton Hall and Park they can enjoy the exterior facade of this and other listed buildings, before enjoying a romantic picnic lunch in Heaton Park.
9. Platt Fields Park
Another venue for those couples who prefer more quiet than hustle and bustle. The attractive Georgian Platt Hall is set in the grounds of Platt Field Park. For lovers of fashion, its museum houses a collection of costumes and fashions dating back to the 1600s, and rivals anything the big London museums have to offer.
10. Beetham Tower, Deansgate
For the younger thirty-something daters, perhaps the interest is modern architecture. Beetham Tower is a mixed-use building, which includes a Hilton Hotel taking up the first 22 floors, high end apartments, and a public bar with 360 degree panoramic views across Manchester. A great place for a special date.
11. Manchester University
If both yourself and your new date are taking post-grad university degrees, perhaps a date visit to Manchester University in Oxford Road could provide effective conversation pieces. Built in 1851, a stroll through its halls and grounds may invoke fond undergraduate memories for you both.
12. A walk on the Architectural Side
Finally, if your wish is to impress your new date with as much varied architecture as possible, then consider an organized Manchester Architecture Tour. Mixing with others who have a similar interest will often help fill those otherwise awkward silences so many of us come up against on first dates.
Featured photo credit: Unknown via openbuildings.com
