Manchester airport Local Attractions

Imperial War Museum North

The Imperial War Museum North concentrates on telling the story of people during war and conflicts with many attractions and exhibits that will illustrate the horrors of war and the spirit of people during it. The museum is located at the Quays 2 miles from Manchester City Centre in the award-winning building designed by Daniel Libeskind. With the new attraction 'The Animals War' amongst others there is sure to be something of interest for any war enthusiast and a great resource for teaching children about history.

Imperial War Museum North
The Quays
Trafford Wharf
Trafford Park
Manchester M17 1TZ

Tel. 0161 836 4000
Fax 0161836 4012
email: iwmnorth@iwn.org.uk

Approximate distance/time from Manchester Airport: 11.4 miles, 19 minutes

Manchester Airport Aviation Viewing Park

The Manchester Aviation Viewing Park located just outside the airports perimeter is a fabulous place to visit if you only have a short time at the airport and do not want the hassle of finding transport. Pride of place in the park is Concorde G-BOAC the flagship of the BA Concorde fleet and is the only Concorde anywhere in the world with a fully accessible flight deck. For enquiries about visiting and going onboard Concorde then please e-mail concorde.avp@manairport.co.uk and for information on the various viewing packages available please visit Manchester Airport Concorde

There are a variety of packages on offer at the park as Concorde is not the only aircraft on display. You can also find a genuine forward section of a DC-10 giving an on-board experience with seating for up to 36 'passengers'. To visit and go aboard the DC-10 you must book in advance by calling 0161 489 2442.

In addition to these attractions the park also boasts a fully restored BEA Hawker Siddeley Trident 3B airliner. This aircraft is open for public viewing every weekend and the experience includes the viewing of a short video presentation and a special display at the rear of the aircraft that really gives the feel of air transportation many years ago. Soon to be featured are Trident technical tours if you are interested in experiencing one of these please call 0161 489 3932.

Also to be found in the park is the Avro RJX exhibit, this was the last civil airliner to be built in the UK and is well worth visiting if you have the time.

Within the park you will also find an aviation shop that stocks Concorde and other aviation merchandise plus hot and cold refreshments plus a grassed picnic area.

If airliners sitting on the ground is not for you and you wish to see some flying action then the spectator area will be for you. Unlike some of the UK's major airports Manchester provides superb viewing facilities for spectators on three raised viewing mounds. This location gives unrivalled views of the runway and you are permitted to take as many photographs as you wish, these viewing mounds are located right by the Aviation Viewing Park. The airport also offers an alternative viewing position located at terminal 1 level 13 of the multi-storey car park which has an aviation shop and telescopes available.

Aviation Viewing Park,
Sunbank Lane,
Altrincham,
WA15 8XQ

Approximate distance/time from Manchester Airport: 2.9 miles, 7 minutes