68+ FUN Facts about Manchester, England You Will LOVE

(Last Updated On: )

Looking for facts about Manchester? Look no further! Manchester is a city in the North West of England. It’s the second most populous conurbation in England, with a city population of around 530,000. 

The Greater Manchester Urban Area has 2.6 million people and is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the UK.

Manchester was the first-ever industrialized city. It was where the Industrial Revolution began and where it made its first major impact on society.

Today, Manchester is a modern city with a rich history and culture, fantastic architecture, and green spaces. Here are 68 facts about Manchester that will make you love it even more:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.  Please see my full disclosure for further information.

Fun Facts About Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant and historic city that has been a driving force for innovation, industry, culture, and art for centuries. Located in the northwest of England, it is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom. Here are some fun facts about Manchester:

#1 Manchester was the world’s first industrialized city, powered by the steam engine and the cotton mills in the 19th century.

#2 Manchester is home to two of the oldest football clubs in the world, Manchester United and Manchester City.

#3 The city is renowned for its music scene and has produced some of the most influential bands of the past few decades, including The Smiths, Oasis, and The 1975.

#4 The Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, connecting the port of Manchester to the Irish Sea and revolutionizing the transport of goods and materials.

#5 Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature and has been home to writers and poets such as Elizabeth Gaskell and John Cooper Clarke.

#6 The city is home to the UK’s first and only LGBT centre, The Lesbian and Gay Foundation.

#7 Manchester is the birthplace of modern computing, thanks to the work of Alan Turing at the University of Manchester in the 1940s.

#8 Manchester is famous for its rain – it is one of the rainiest cities in the UK.

#9 Manchester was the location of the world’s first railway station, which opened in 1830.

#10 Manchester is the birthplace of the industrial revolution and the Suffragette movement. The world’s first atom was split at the University of Manchester in 1917.

Interesting Facts About Manchester, England

Here are some more interesting Manchester facts:

#11 The city is home to the iconic Midland Hotel, built in 1903 by the Midland Railway and overlooks St Peter’s Square.

#12 Manchester is renowned worldwide for its unique history and culture. It is a major political and economic hub known for its modern tram system and Manchester Airport.

#13 The city is also famous for its long-running soap opera Coronation Street, which has been airing since 1960.

Facts About Manchester United

Manchester United is one of England’s most popular and successful football clubs and has a passionate fan base worldwide. 

Founded in 1878, Manchester United is the world’s most successful club, with 20 Premier League titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups and 3 UEFA Champions League titles. Here are more facts about Manchester United:

#14 Manchester United holds the record for the most Premier League titles and has won the league a total of 20 times.

#15 Manchester United is the only club in England to have won all three major European trophies.

#16 The team has a record of playing the most matches in the English top flight.

#17 The club won their first FA Cup in 1908 and has won a total of 12 FA Cups.

#18 Manchester United has a total of 5 League Cups, with the most recent win coming in 2017.

#19 The team has a record of 8 Community Shields, the most recent being in 2019.

#20 Manchester United has the second-highest average home attendance in Europe.

#21 The Manchester United fan base is estimated to be 659 million people worldwide.

#22 The Manchester United Fan Club was founded in 1889 and is the oldest fan club in the world.

#23 The team’s mascot is called Fred the Red, and he has appeared at every home game since the club moved to Old Trafford in 1910.

Facts About Manchester City

Manchester City, one of the most successful football clubs in England, has a long and storied history. 

Founded in 1880, the Citizens have gone on to become one of the most successful English football clubs, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, six League Cups, and three European Cups. 

Here are some more facts about Manchester City that you may not have known:

#24 Manchester City was originally called St. Mark’s (West Gorton) when it was founded in 1880.

#25 Manchester City holds the record for the most consecutive Premier League titles, with three from 2018-2021.

#26 Man City has the highest average league attendance of any English club in history, with an average of 55,185.

#27 Manchester City have the most expensive Premier League team ever assembled, spending a staggering £1.37 billion on transfers since 2012.

#28 City is one of only two teams in England to have won all three major domestic trophies (Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup).

#29 The Etihad Stadium is the second-largest stadium in Manchester, with a capacity of 55,097.

#30 Manchester City is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose estimated wealth is $38.2 billion.

#31 Man City was the first English club to win the Premier League and FA Cup in the same season (2011-12).

#32 Sergio Aguero is the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 204 goals.

#33 Manchester City remains the only English team to have won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, lifting the trophy in 1970.

Facts About Salford

Salford is a town located in Greater Manchester, England. It is best known for its vibrant culture, friendly people, and professional football league. 

Situated on the River Irwell, which flows through Greater Manchester, Salford has a variety of attractions to explore, from its historic buildings and sites to its excellent shopping centres and family-friendly leisure centres.

#34 The city of Salford is home to two professional football teams: Salford City Football Club, which plays in the English Football League, and Manchester United, which plays in the Premier League. The city also has a vibrant nightlife, with several bars and clubs in the city centre and some fantastic music venues.

#35 Salford is also well-known for its numerous museums and galleries, including the Lowry Gallery, the Imperial War Museum North, and the Museum of Science and Industry.

#36 Salford is home to many notable educational establishments, including the University of Salford and Salford College.

#37 The Salford Quays area has become an impressive centre for business, culture and leisure, with attractions such as The Lowry, the Imperial War Museum and MediaCityUK.

#38 Salford is the birthplace of prominent figures such as mathematician Alan Turing and singer Morrissey.

#39 It is home to a number of iconic landmarks, such as Salford Cathedral and Peel Hall.

#40 Salford is also known for its rich industrial past, with the city boasting a variety of docklands, factories and warehouses.

Facts about Old Trafford

Old Trafford has been the home of Manchester United since 1910, making it one of the oldest stadiums in the Premier League. It is located in the borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester and has a capacity of 74,879. The stadium is renowned for its rich history and has hosted many important matches, including the 2003 Champions League Final, Euro 96 matches, and the 1966 World Cup semi-final.

#41 Manchester United’s iconic manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is known for his winning record at Old Trafford. He led Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League titles during his time as manager at the club. 

Many of the world’s best footballers have graced the pitch of Old Trafford, from Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo to Wayne Rooney and David Beckham.

#42 Old Trafford is also home to the Manchester United Museum, which contains a wealth of information and artefacts about the club’s history. The museum also has a range of interactive exhibits and activities for visitors to explore.

#43 The stadium has also been host to a variety of cultural events and concerts. Foo Fighters, Jay-Z and Coldplay all played at Old Trafford. In 2012, the stadium was the site of the Olympic football games and the Paralympic games.

#44 Old Trafford is the largest club football ground in the UK and has a distinguished architectural design. The stadium is surrounded by three tiers of seating, including the Sir Bobby Charlton stand, which is the main stand. It is also the only stadium in the world to have two giant screens installed in 2006.

#45 The stadium is renowned for its atmosphere and is the setting for some of the most iconic moments in Manchester United’s history. The club’s supporters are known for their passionate chants, and the ground often becomes a sea of red and white for big games.

#46 Old Trafford has been an integral part of Manchester’s culture for more than a century and is certain to remain so for many more years to come. It is an iconic part of the city, a symbol of its pride and history, and a place where legends are made.

More Manchester Facts

#47 Manchester has a population of about 2 million people, and it is located in New Hampshire. The city is known for its many colleges and universities.

#48 Manchester’s nickname is “The Queen City.” It has been called this since 1820, when it became the first city in New England to have gas street lamps installed.

#49 Manchester has the longest river in England

#50 Manchester was the first city in the UK to have a tram system, which began operating in 1883

#51 Manchester has more art galleries than any other city in Europe

#52 The first recorded football match in history took place at Stretford in 1880 between two teams from Lancashire, who played with a round ball made of Indian rubber

#53 Manchester was the first city outside London to be bombed by German aircraft during WWII (1919) and also suffered its heaviest bombing raid, with over 2,000 casualties (1942)

#54 The world’s first passenger railway station opened in 1830 at Liverpool Road Station in Manchester – it had just one platform!

#55 The city was originally named “Mancunium,” from the Celtic word meaning “the place where men come together.”

#56 Manchester has the largest student population in Britain, with over 60,000 students attending its three universities.

#57 The city was initially built around an old stone bridge over the River Irwell, which was called “Pendle Hill.” It’s still standing today!

#58 In 1819, a local doctor named Thomas Percival discovered how to manufacture acetate of lead—the first synthetic plastic ever created!

#59 In 1894, Thomas Edison opened his first factory in Manchester—it was one of only three factories he had outside of America at that time!

#60 The city has its own theatre district called The Northern Quarter.

#61 It was the first city in Europe to have an airport, which opened in 1930.

#62 The city of Manchester is well known for its ethnic diversity and is home to a variety of South Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants.

#63 During the Industrial Revolution, Manchester was the first city to utilize the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, which opened in 1830.

#64 In the 19th century, Manchester opened the legendary New Union Pub, one of the few places in the UK where women could meet socially.

#65 The city is also home to the Royal Hotel, the oldest continuously operating hotel in the UK.

#66 In the 1970s, the iconic band Joy Division formed in Manchester and rose to become one of the most influential UK post-punk bands of all time.

#67 Manchester is also known for its rich history of women’s social and political movements, including the Suffragette movement of the early 20th century.

#68 Manchester access two northern national parks the Peak District National Park and the lake District. Both of these are some of the best national parks in Europe.

More Europe Facts

Facts About Bratislava

Slovakia Facts

Discover the UK >>>

Explore More of Western Europe >>>

Return to Homepage >>>