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Where to go from Manchester... travel tips

Posted June 27th, 2007 by Marta
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Weather. As we all know the English weather can change quite quickly. Before you attempt to go to any mountain, check the mountain weather information system's forecast (www.mwis.org.uk). The textual descriptions, i.e. "you could be blown off" and windchill temperatures are to be taken seriously!

Maps. The best option is to get the 1:25000 Explorer Map which is available for the whole country. It is very detailed - so those who are good at reading maps will be very happy. If you are not too advanced in reading maps, take a few minutes/hours to study the map above a table before you go out with it. The University's main library has some maps (Purple floor, reference desk), but its collection is limited both in coverage and in the number available - anyway it is worth to check before you invest!
Planning your walk. It is a very good idea to google a bit before going out! Many national parks organize free ranger-led events, short to long walks; the friends groups are also quite active in this; and there are some websites specially for describing walks.
Public transport. There are a few websites that can do public trasport planning for you. The most widely known is the Journey Planner (http://nw.aimwebsites.co.uk/JourneyPlanner.jsp). The national rail also has its schedules and ticket offers on line (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk).
Car. You can rent a car in Manchester, and if you are 5 people going out together it will definitely pay back its price. But, be ware that the driver will need to have: (1) two utility bills or bank statements issued within the last 2-3 months for her/his own name, (2) a full British or European driving licence and (3) a master card.
Or, if you plan to stay around for a while, you might consider buying a small car. In this case, you should keep in mind that the prices start at 500 GBP, you will have to pay atleast the same amount for a 10 months insurance, and it is advisable to have some breakdown cover too (apr. 30 BGP).

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