Neighbourhood Guides

Fallowfield

A vibrant suburb with a great mix of shops, cafes, bars and home to Platt Fields Park, where there’s always something to get involved with. 

Accommodation: The University of Manchester’s Fallowfield campus is home to lots of university Halls of Residence. Off-campus there are lots of terraced houses and some flats in the area. 

Transport: great bus connections on the ‘busiest bus route in Europe’, Bee Network Cycle Hire stations make bike hire easy. 

Grocery shopping: 

  • Sainsburys 
  • Wimmy Foods 
  • Iceland 

Food and drink: 

  • The Mexican – excellent food and cocktails, as recommended by the Manchester Student Homes team. 
  • The Battered Cod – the ‘best’ fish and chip shop in Manchester according to Robin who’s lived on Braemar Road since 1984. 
  • Tzatziki’s - belting Greek chicken gyros, as recommended by Cooper (Manager of Manchester Student Homes). 

Things to do:

  • Platt Fields Market Garden – regular events, cafe and volunteering opportunities. 
  • The Fallowfield Loop - an off-road cycle path, pedestrian and horse riding route from Chorlton-cum-Hardy through Fallowfield and Levenshulme to Gorton and Fairfield in Manchester.  

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Withington

A thriving district with a diverse mix of cafes, bars and independent shops. 

Accommodation: Off-campus accommodation is mainly made up of terraced and semi-detached houses, with some flats. 

Transport: great bus connections on the ‘busiest bus route in Europe’ 
Grocery shopping: 

  • Sainsburys 
  • Co-op 
  • Withington Fruit and Veg – local greengrocers selling fresh produce, plants and delicious samosas! 
  • Lentils and Lather – zero waste shop selling plants, fresh baked goods, homeware and groceries.

Food and drink: 

  • Herbivorous Vegan – vegan junk food (think fake chicken and cheesy chips!)
  • Withington Public Hall – social space offering drinks, pizzas and community events. 
  • Cafe Blah – great cafe and community space with regular film and art nights! 
  • Red Lion Pub – pub quiz every Wednesday! 
  • Ice Shack – cosy cafe and community space with plenty of board games serving up fresh coffee and vegan ice cream. 
  • Fuel – best vegan breakfasts and great gigs! 
  • Dosa Xpress - incredible authentic south Indian food. 

Things to do: 

  • Withington Baths – non-profit community leisure centre with a recently-restored Edwardian swimming pool. Offers day passes and discounted student memberships. 
  • Withington Walls – a community project that aims to brighten up Withington village through public art works. Explore the village through their artwork map!
  • ​​​​​​​Withington library – a great off-campus study space. 
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Ladybarn

A small and vibrant suburb to the east of Withington village and Fallowfield district centre.  

Accommodation: Off-campus accommodation is mainly made up of terraced and semi-detached houses, with some flats. 

Transport: strong transport links via Mauldeth Road train station, and buses on Wilmslow Road and Kingsway. 
Grocery shopping: 

  • Co-op 

Food and drink: 

  • Good Faith – newly-opened independent cafe that sells fab little sweet treats, bagels and sandwiches! 
  • Sanskruti – best Indian food known to mankind (bonus points for being veggie-friendly!)
  • Kabul Bakery – serving freshly baked bread and bolanis, as well as a range of sweet treats. 

Things to do: 

  • Ladybarn Park – local green space with a skate park, tennis courts, bowling green and playground, as well as volunteering opportunities.
  • Ladybarn Community Hub – community space with lots of regular clubs and events. The Hub has lots of volunteering opportunities, including helping with their new community garden. 
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Rusholme

Just a short distance from the main university campuses Rusholme is a vibrant district, home to the famous Curry Mile and Birchfields Park. 

Accommodation: Off-campus accommodation is mainly made up of terraced houses, with some flats. The are also several private halls (also referred to as purpose-built student accommodation, PBSA) in Rusholme. 

Transport: great bus connections on the ‘busiest bus route in Europe’, Bee Network Cycle Hire stations make bike hire easy. 

Grocery shopping: 

  • Worldwide Foods Rusholme 
  • Syriana Market
  • Manchester Superstore Rusholme 
  • Venus Foods Supermarket 
  • Tesco Express 
  • Lidl 

Food and drink: 

  • There are lots of amazing restaurants along the ‘Curry Mile’ on Wilmslow Road. 

Things to do: 

  • Birchfields Park - local green space with a football pitch, exercise stations, playground and forest garden, as well as volunteering opportunities.   

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