Manchester is a city framed by eclectic suburbs – the urban sprawl has engulfed many dynamic towns. A network of crisscrossing A roads and an orbital motorway means it is easy to reach all the key locations, from Salford to Bolton and Stockport.

Driving in Manchester city centre is easy with the speed limit on most main roads set at 30mph – Manchester Piccadilly is set on a bustling one-way stretch of the A6 (London Road). There are many trendy eateries on this road, ideal if you need to grab a bite to eat before continuing your journey.

The city’s metropolitan core stretches west from the largest train station. The Warehouse Project music venue is just around the corner, while Manchester Conference Centre is five minutes away by car.

In this part of town, you’ll find many popular attractions, including the O2 Apollo, several dynamic theatres, casinos and museums. Manchester Central Convention Complex is a cutting-edge conference centre housed in a historic station. The NCP car park offers the most convenient parking.

The hip and lively Northern Quarter is directly north from Manchester Piccadilly – ideal if you need to find somewhere trendy to relax after business.

It takes just seven minutes to drive from Manchester Piccadilly to the Etihad Stadium, the home of Manchester City Football Club. Old Trafford is located on the city’s south-western fringes and is around 16 minutes from Piccadilly by car.

It’s easy to reach the delights of Greater Manchester. Salford is just 20 minutes away – use the A57(M) to skirt into Media City. Use the M602 to join the M60 ring road for the best way to access towns and suburbs on the outskirts of Manchester, including industrial Stockport and charming market town Ashton-under-Lyne.

If you fancy a longer road trip, the luscious Peak District National Park beckons to the south, while the M62 dissects northern England.

Dynamic and diverse, Manchester has come a long way since the industrial era that gave it its famous worker bee icon. Today the city has witnessed the birth of Britpop and sprawled out into quaint and beautiful lands.

Go football mad

With Premier League football clubs, two gigantic stadiums and a healthy dose of red-versus-blue rivalry, Manchester is like heaven on earth for football fans. The city has hosted Soccerex conferences and is known for its lively sports bars.

Aside from catching a lively game at one of the animated venues, you can also pay a visit to the National Football Museum, which has been scoring home goals since 2012. Inside, you’ll explore exhibits on some of the world’s most famous teams and players through the ages. There are even interactive games – it’s a great way to experience the thrill and the glory of a penalty shootout.

Experience historic Manchester

Manchester earnt its reputation as a seat of power during the Industrial Revolution when a diverse population flooded to the canal sides to work in the factories and mills. Today, this legacy finds its place in the city’s many museums and spots of architectural beauty.

Naturally, you’ll start this journey at Manchester’s railway, which was one of the world’s first passenger railways. Drive out to the Town Hall to find neo-Gothic Victorian towers – great for your holiday snaps. The Science and Industry Museum is home to the world’s first railway warehouse. Here you’ll learn about the pioneering discoveries made in Manchester and how they have shaped lives throughout the world.

The People’s History Museum explores the social side of the Industrial Revolution in a city with a long history of protesting spirit. If you prefer Olde Worlde grandeur, head to the John Rylands Library – a gilded masterpiece designed like a secular temple.

Go cultural

Manchester bubbles with creativity and this legacy is visible in the city’s star attractions. Manchester Art Gallery is the oldest of them all, housing six centuries of the finest paintings, ceramics and even costume work.

The Whitworth is its younger, trendier sibling – it won Visit England’s gold prize for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2016 for its glimmering collections of international renown. There are many smaller gems, too, including the Northern Quarter’s Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art. The Turnpike is an independent venue set in an iconic brutalist building.

Escape to the peaks

Once you’ve experienced Manchester’s rugged charm, the Peak District beckons. In just over 90 minutes, you can glide into the heart of central England’s most magical haven.

Snake Pass is one of the country’s best scenic drives and the tiny towns of Derbyshire boast mountains, caves and beautiful ground for trekking.

Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, it is easy to upgrade your trip to Manchester with our premium car rental at Piccadilly Train Station.