Becki Hall recently moved from Manchester, but as an ex-Chorlton local, and super-psyched boulderer, she has lots to share about the area including some really helpful detailed beta on bus travel to and from The Depot!
Photo: Alex Messenger
BECKI HALL
DERBY (CHORLTON UNTIL VERY RECENTLY!)
TRAINEE SOLICITOR
LOGISTICS:
Eat:
Options can be fairly limited around The Depot, but Manchester itself is so good for food and drinks so if you get a chance, definitely head out there! I'm gluten free and all of the places I mention do suitable food for me and other dietary requirements.
The Trafford Centre is 5 mins drive/a quick bus/a 20 min walk away. It offers lots of chain high street places to eat and drink such as Wagamamas, Zizis, TGI etc.
For more independent places, Chorlton (where I used to live) is about 10 minutes drive away and offer loads of amazing food and drink options. For evening food, I love The Drop (homemade and authentic Jamaican food with awesome cocktails), The Laundrette (burgers, steaks and comfort food again with really nice cocktails and milkshakes) and Palette (bit more fancy with antipasti boards, wine, cheese and an à la carte menu). For lunch Chorlton is amazing as well. For a quick healthy option, The Bosu Body Bar offers healthy meal boxes to go with yummy grains and salads etc.
Nearby Didsbury boasts lots of cafés and eateries. Expo Lounge is very nice and offers a wide gluten free and vegan menu.
A post WCS drink:
Manchester city centre is so good for drinks with lots of pubs, bars etc. The Northern Quarter is pretty hipster with loads of bars and restaurants... You can't go amiss!
CLIMBING:
I'm definitely a boulderer, so not so helpful on routes ;)
The Peak District gritstone is about an hour away, and boasts some of the best climbing in the country
Don't forget the Peak limestone, eg. Raven Tor (sport testpieces), Blackwell Dale (literally roadside bouldering).
Also an hour away into North Wales is The Gop and Tremeirchion which are both nice little bouldering spots albeit with all the climbs being hard (7a up ish)
Parisella's Cave is an hour and a half away and well worth the journey.
IN CASE OF WET WEATHER:
Gear shops:
The Depot has a climbing shop, town has Ellis Brigham and Cotswold, and Stockport has a Decathlon.
Place to get a brew:
I used to work at a lovely café called Tea Hive in Chorlton, which is a great tea room with incredible coffee (it gets very busy though!)
Foundation Coffee House in town has amazing coffee and nice sandwiches.
DON'T MISS:
Lyme Park is a National Trust property with great scenery and walks
The Pennines are really close and have some great walks and mountain biking trails
The Trafford Centre is a huge shopping centre 5 mins from The Depot
The HOME art gallery/cinema/cafébar is a really great venue
There is a a really famous escape game venue called Breakout
Jump Nation is a huge trampolining centre a 2-minute walk from The Depot.
Don't forget to check out our other Manchester Beta guides, and book your ticket soon!
