Manchester town guide
Manchester, as its name implies has been an important centre since Roman times. The city saw rapid development during the Industrial Revolution, based upon the abundant supply of waterpower and later coal to power the new textile industries. Conditions in those industries were often less than humanly acceptable, leading to the long tradition of social reform with which Manchester has been associated. Protests on Peters Field eventually led to the Reform Act of 1832, commemorated by the construction of the Free Trade Hall.
The visitor to the Museum of Science and Industry can explore Manchester's Industrial Heritage. This is located next to the original terminal of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the World's first passenger carrying railway and home of he famous Rocket locomotive.
The creation of the Manchester Ship Canal, linking the Manchester Docks directly to the Mersey Estuary, reduced the cost of raw materials and encouraged further industrial development in the late 19th century.
With the increased size of vessels, the docks are no longer viable, but have become the centre of a major development centre. Linked by tram to the city centre, the area now hosts the Lowry Centre and Imperial War Museum North. Cultural activities have always been well patronised in Manchester, being well catered for with the Opera House and Palace Theatre amongst others. Manchester also now boasts a superb new concert hall, Bridgewater Hall, a fitting venue for the World Famous Halle Orchestra.
There is a thriving China town in Manchester with some of the best Chinese Restaurants in England.
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