The Northern Quarter institution that’s the go-to for everything from poached eggs to pints. Yet while Common covers a lot of ground, it doesn’t scrimp on quality: the Guardian voted its breakfast in the UK’s top 50. The menu merges from brunch into casual classics – think the best burger and chips and loaded nachos, washed down by a curated list of craft beer and cocktails. We’ll be honest, there’s not a lot to dislike here.

This is less a park and more a small stretch of green, but despite its size it has an enormous bottle of Vimto at its centre – a monument to the place where, in 1908, the first barrel of Manchester’s curious fruit’n’herb drink was produced. The Sackville Building behind the park is about to undergo redevelopment, and for a while it looked as though Vimto Park would be flattened, but its owners have had a change of heart. So, Vimto Park lives to see another sunny day – it’s a short walk away, and especially peaceful on weekdays.

Four floors of YES aptly covers this recent addition to Manchester’s bar and gig scene. A hit with music lovers (thanks to owners and notable promoters Now Wave), the 1st floor features Pepperoni-Playboy and Firebird Hope, serving up slices of pizza and the best fried chicken or seitan sandwich you’re ever likely to have. The basement club and 2nd floor Pink Room provide a platform for DJs, interesting bands and album launches – but if you don’t make it up to the rooftop terrace for a Negroni (on tap, naturally), you’ll have missed a trick.

Ah, Ducie Street Warehouse, where would Manchester be without you? Although it only opened in 2019, we can’t imagine the city without it. Hang out in the lounge, watch a film in the best (and smallest) cinema in Manchester, listen to a talk or to new music, eat and drink in the restaurant, rediscover your love of brunch… Ducie Street sees to all your needs – stylishly, deliciously. Plus it’s home to boutique gym, Blok. It’s just behind Piccadilly Station.

A beacon of celebration in the city, the Gay Village is a must for any visitor to Manchester. Located just south of Chinatown, along and around Canal Street, the Village is both party central and a living piece of social history – proof that Manchester is one of the world’s leading gay-friendly cities. Gay culture has flourished into a community whose combination of bars, clubs, restaurants and green spaces are set alongside a long stretch of the Rochdale Canal, making it the perfect setting for alfresco drinking and dining. The vibrant Village welcomes everyone, with entertainment laid on seven nights a week.

Our nearest public park is at the end of the road, bookended by Canal Street at the top, and Aytoun Street below. It wears its heart on its sleeve: Sackville Gardens are home to the Beacon of Hope, dedicated to those lost to or living with HIV/AIDS, and to the National Transgender Remembrance Memorial (it’s also a focal point for the annual Sparkle Weekend and Manchester Pride). There’s also a statue of Alan Turing, WW2 codebreaker and the father of modern computing. Head here for peace, reflection and the perfect place to take the dog for a quick walk.

The city’s main rail station, for connections to London, Manchester Airport, Leeds, Glasgow, York and everywhere in between, is just a 5-minute walk away from Kampus. This 19th-century station is always busy: with 14 platforms, a Metrolink station (direct connections to MediaCityUK, Altrincham and Eccles), and the usual array of shops, cafés and bars (including Oliver Bonas, Yo Sushi and Boots). And – who knew – the station’s satisfaction ratings are 92% (compared to a national average of just 60%…).