A trip back in time that is attempted to be restored. Next time I go should try and do some…read moreswimming.

A real architectural gem, this Grade II* listed Edwardian swimming pool and Turkish Baths has…read moreserious kerb appeal, though to be honest it's not in the greatest of surroundings - demolition and urbanisation over the years has seen to that. The repair and restoration of the building, inside and out, is still a work in progress but there are lots of stunning original features throughout, not to mention its layout of corridors and random doorways means you uncover its character bit-by-bit. To aid the on-going fund raising, the Baths have regular events held within the walls - one of the biggest in recent years is Indy Man Beer Con (http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/indy-man-beer-con-manchester) which utilises much of the space brilliantly (where else can you sup a large range of beers whilst sat in large, empty swimming pools?). For the first time this year I also went to The Vintage Home Show which saw the building crammed full of retro furniture, home ware and clothing. They regularly hold 'Getting to Know VB' tours and participate in heritage open days, so check out their website for upcoming events, it's a beautiful place and needs every penny to bring it back to its full splendour.

The fact that the Mancunian powers-that-be woke up one day and decided to commemorate Vimto…read more(arguably the king of all 'mixed fruit' cordials) with its very own monument fills me with boundless joy. So much so, I've even got a photograph of myself doing a thumbs up by this statue. Seriously, the only way this monument could be any better is if it actually dispensed Vimto (Hot Vimto for the Winter months, Fizzy Vimto for the Summer months). If the person with the ability to make this happen is reading this, come on then, hop to it!

As an alternative to beer, the 'temperance drink' under the odd name of Vimto was first mixed by…read moreJohn Nichols in Granby Row in 1908. The sculpture by Kerry Morrison (1992) is now popular with students, children, and photographers.

The Alan Turing Building is the location where the School of Mathematics of The University of…read moreManchester is based; it also houses the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. As everyone can imagine, it's named after the famous British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing. It's quite a new building, completed only a few years ago, in 2007. Many facilities are provided: spacious and well-lit lecture theatres, a cafe on the ground floor, a small library, computer rooms and even showers. The bridge across the atrium is the common room for mathematics academics and graduate students, where morning coffee is served.

The Alan Turing is the place where I spend most of my mathematical life. It's a great building!!…read moreThe worst thing about the building is that some of the offices (including mine) have no windows. However it's not hard to pop out into the main foyer, which with a glass roof certainly does not lack for natural light. There are plenty of top quality teaching rooms with particularly nice blackboards. My favorite thing about the ATB is the atrium bridge area. It a place where staff and postgrads can relax, chat and get away from maths (although you may struggle to avoid mathematical conversation). It location makes in easy to see from the upper level so you can quickly check who's about from your office (and then decided if you want to sit with them)

I love Man's Chinatown so much. The beautiful Chinese architecture and arches are welcoming and…read moreinviting. The restaurants, markets, and shop are the very embodiment of Chinese culture and livelihood. It's an area I frequent with each visit to Manchester. Chinatown should be at the top of everyone's itinerary.

Never knew Manchester had a Chinatown but apparently it's the second biggest one outside of London…read more That being said, it encompasses only a few blocks (that we could see) but still it's fun to wander around and window shop - and have some dim sum or other more authentic dishes other than kung pao or general Tso chicken.

What an incredible piece of artwork in Piccadilly Gardens. The monument is large and pays a great…read morehomage to Queen V. It was unveiled in 1901, just after her death. This piece of public art depicts Queen Victoria on a throne, holding an orb and a scepter. Onslow Ford was the sculptor who created the bronze statue, which was initially intended to be created of marble. It is my understanding that Queen V. felt bronze would be more weather-appropriate. Nice piece of history to take in if you find yourself at Piccadilly Gardens.

Now over 100 years old (the statue, not Queen Victoria), this statue of Britain's longest serving…read moremonarch sits right in Piccadilly Gardens. The statue is oversized. Perhaps that is why this statue represents Queen Victoria as plump and grumpy. Or maybe it's just the expression that the sculptor has left on the subject's face. Sure, this is an impressive statue, but it doesn't possess the elegance or pomp of the Wellington statue just down the way.

The great Greek bather-cum-mathematician is commemorated in a peculiar monument that sees…read moreArchimedes jumping up in his bath at the famous "Eureka!" moment. More peculiar yet is the monument's location. It is to be found under one of the arches of the railway bridge that separates Granby Row from Altrincham Street. It is usually seen by students and those who cut through on their way to or from Piccadilly train station. Apart from setting a distinguished man in stone, it also proves the point: nose is the Achilles heel of many sculptures...

Went here for a gala dinner to celebrate the launch of Cathay Pacific's flights from Manchester to…read moreHong Kong. The venue is stunning for functions. At the entrance the stairs were lit up with hundreds of candles and my eyes were instantly drawn up to the ceiling. We all gathered outside the main room for drinks and canapés then we were ushered in to take our seats at very beautifully decorated tables. I had never been inside the town hall before but I know you can take a tour of the building and I'd heard great things. It's really beautiful inside and it looked fab lit up in coloured lights. The food was the town hall's own catering and it was superb.The chef cooked up a fusion of Asian and British cuisine. Starter was steamed fillet of bream, rice and seaweed crackers, crab salad edame, miso and hazelnut. Main was coal roasted sirloin of kings valley beef, roasted broccoli and sesame emulsion, lightly picked mouli, fermented bean reduction, shin dumpling & aromatic mini fondants. Dessert was coconut milk pannacotta, mancha green tea sponge, papaya & lychee.

Town Hall, Albert Square in city centre has been renovated over the years but it still boasts its…read moreglorious 1800s Victorian architecture with stellar beauty. Many events are held here from weddings, concerts, special events, holiday markets, and more. It's easy to see why. It makes for a beautiful backdrop for any occasion. I do like stopping by when I'm in Man to take in anything that may have changed and its infinite gothic presence.

What a bridge!read more

The impressive terracota building with Corinthian columns in Oxford St, close to Sainsbury's, is…read moreChurchgate House. It was built in 1898 by Gibbon Sankey and was intended as the headquarters of Tootal Broadhurst, a textile empire. Among many other offices, the building now houses Alliance Francaise, the place to learn or hone your skills in langue d'amour.

Anyone who visits Northern Quarter, or walks past Affleck's Palace or down Tib Street, will be…read moreamused by this creation. How would one describe it? To paraphrase the famous surrealist line, it is beautiful like a fortuitous encounter of a caterpillar and a saxophone within the remains of a red brick warehouse. As if this was not enough, there is a Freudian twist to it in the form of something that suggests the sculpture is of hermaphrodite nature, in that it has something female and male to it at the same time. Considering the status of Northern Quarter as the place for all things peculiar, the composition is a perfect fit.