Make the most of your trip to Manchester for the GSS Conference 2022

On the 13 and 14 December, Manchester is hosting the GSS Conference 2022. This will be the first GSS Conference since Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions were lifted in the UK.

So you have your ticket for the conference…how do you make the most of your stay in Manchester? The GSS Conference team have a few recommendations for you!

Getting around

Manchester has a great transport network, which makes it easy to get around the city. You can travel easily on the Manchester Metrolink, which is the largest tram or light rail system in the UK outside of London.

It’s also easy to get to Manchester from other parts of the country. There are strong rail links, which make it easy to travel to the city by train. There’s even an international airport, which connects Manchester with other major cities across the UK and the world.

Retail and leisure

Time Out have declared Manchester to be the best city in the UK for retail and leisure. Make sure you visit the Arndale Centre or the Trafford Centre for the best shopping experience in the city.

Culture

Manchester is renowned as a cultural hotspot. Some of the UK’s most famous artists and performers come from Manchester, including Jason Manford, Alan Carr, and Oasis.

Manchester is considered the world’s first industrial city. You can visit the many canals, railways and cotton mills that are important symbols of the Industrial Revolution.

Did you know that our conference venue has a historic claim to fame itself? Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met at the Midland Hotel and within two years of their meeting had founded the famous Rolls-Royce brand. See if you can spot the statue marking this historic meeting at the hotel between conference sessions!

Sport

No article about Manchester would be complete without mentioning its sporting importance. If you’re a football fan, take a trip to Old Trafford to see where the world-famous Manchester United play. Or perhaps visit the Etihad Stadium if blue is more your colour…!

Eating out

There are lots of great places to eat in Manchester. But if you’re looking for a curry, you have come to the right place! The famous ‘Curry Mile’ on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme has over 70 restaurants to choose from.

Manchester is also a great place to be a vegetarian. Nearby Salford is considered by some people as the birthplace of vegetarianism in the UK. The Reverend William Cowherd was an 18th Century minister who insisted that his congregation ate a meat-free diet. Some members went on to form the Vegetarian Society.

Other places to visit nearby

If you have some more time to explore, you could visit the cultural city of Liverpool and explore the home of The Beatles. Or you could escape to the picturesque Peak District for some fresh air and stunning views across the countryside. The choice is yours!

GSS Conference 2022

We hope our recommendations have got you excited about your trip to Manchester for the GSS Conference 2022! You can find more details about the conference on our events page. If you have any questions about the event, you can contact the team at GSS@statistics.gov.uk.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!