Parking Near Manchester Opera House?

[scrummyyummy]

Does anyone know if there are any NCP carparks near Manchester Opera House? We're driving there but don't know Manchester at all and was wondering if there are any carparks nearby? Also, is the Opera House located near any shops or restaurants? Thanks!

[deggers316]

Mon-Sun 24 hours
£ 9.00 / 5 hours
£16.00 / 10 hours
£30.00 / 24 hours


The Avenue and 3 Hardman Street
Car park
Manchester M3 3HF
loads of shops restaurants around

[scrummyyummy]

That's great, thanks Deggers!

[Maydup]

Its worth checking all of the options as you might find more reasonable prices for evening only parking. Have a look here:

http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/carpark/the_avenue_and_3_hardman_street/m3/manchester/

[Eve]

It's right by Spinningfields which is the commercial district and has quite a few eateries, some down by the river (though bit cold to sit outside at the mo!). What kind of thig are you after and when are you coming and what are you coming to see (some places might be incredibly busy say after work end of the week or if a big show is on) and how to get there :)

Some info on Spinningfields here:

http://www.spinningfieldsonline.com/dining

Also some lovely restaurants just a bit away round Liverpool Road (by the Science & History Museum) - Akhbars is a fantastic Indian, Sapporo is a Teppenyaki place and Dimitris, one of my favourites, for mediterranen food. The Ox by there is a great Gastro Pub too (can sometimes see Corrie stars in there).

Also others a little further afield from there, all sorts of everything :)



Let me know what kind of place and budget you fancy if you want some recommedations.

[Eve]

Oh and shops wise, it's about a 10-15 minute walk to the main shopping area, you could get one of the little free hopper buses which stop near there round to the bottom of Market St (by M&S) which is the main shopping street and near a mai entrance to the Arndale Centre. Are you parking near the Opera House? Spinningfields car parks are likely to be pricey.

[Eve]

You can see other NCPs here:

http://www.ncp.co.uk/regional_page?city=manchester

[Eve]

I've just been clicking on a few to see the tariffs, the Arndale seems cheaper than some others and it would set you right by all the shops and not that much of a walk to the Opera House or you could grab one of the free shuttle buses:

http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Pages/metroshuttle.aspx

[scrummyyummy]

Thanks Maydup and Eve for the suggestions! It sounds like there are plenty of places to eat around the Opera House! It will be for lunch on Sunday before seeing a concert with the children. I like the sound of possibly bumping into some Corrie cast (LOL!), being a Corrie fan myself! I'm looking forward to hearing some friendly northern voices!

[Eve]

Ooh The Ox does a lovely Sunday dinner too! It can get quite busy in there as it is popular but sure they take bookings as I've seen reserved tables in there before now.

http://theox.co.uk/food/

There is also The Grapes which is round the corner from the Opera House, a pub owned by Liz Dawn. Not a great spotting spot generally though.

There is a lovely place which is over in Castlefield though that is probably a bit out of your way:

http://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/thewharf/

Lovely if you do come back sometime though on a sunnier afternoon.

Granada Studios is right by there (I used to work right by there) and if you keep your eyes peeled you can spot all kinds of people, not just Corrie cast.

[Eve]

Jennie McAlpine also has a restaurant:

http://www.anniesmanchester.co.uk/

Other celeb like places are Rosso (Rio Ferninand's place) and a Jamie's Italian.

http://www.rossorestaurants.com/

http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/manchester

[Eve]

Trying to think about some more family like places (depending on how old they are).

This place is behind the Arndale and does a lovely Sunday dinner. Service can be a little slow so allow time :)

http://www.englishlounge.co.uk/about-us

[scrummyyummy]

Wow, Eve! Thanks for all the info! You sure know Manchester well!! It sounds a great place with loads to do and lots of eateries. I might have to make a longer trip in the summer! Many thanks again for your help and I'm going to check out on the web all the places you suggested.

[Eve]

No worries :) I live here so feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

I'm sooo tempted to recommend this place as it's quite an experience though maybe best recommended for when you don't have to go and sit down in a theatre for hours after, too much lovely food on offer!

http://www.bembrasilrestaurants.com/bar_and_restaurants.php

It's a great place, I hope you all enjoy it!

Ooh and as it's the Opera House if you are about Spinningfields beforehand then you do sometimes see some cast coming out of one of the side doors, usually for a ciggie break. Having worked right by it I've seen some of the cast of CATS and Starlight out having a cig in costume and even Michael Ball outside chatting and signing autographs. It's all a fluke as to the right moment and if anyone famous there comes out for cig breaks but worth a look. As you face the Opera House it's down the side to the left of it.

If you get down that area a bit early there is a Pret A Manger in the main Spinningfields Square (usually with an outdoor cinema screen up, sometimes on with news or sport) open until about 4.30pm (though Pret times can change a bit randomly at non busy times!) and a Starbucks opposite and up a little (towards Deansgate) on Quay Street where the Opera House is but on the other side of the road - near Tesco.

[scrummyyummy]

Oh, thanks so much, Eve! You're like my very own personal tour guide!! I'm so looking forward to the weekend! Thank you!

[Davina61]

Thank you very much for your helpful replies.