Manchester sightseeing bus tour

The tour is run by a private company, but seems to have official support/backing. The bus weaves through the centre, then to Salford, Media City, Trafford Park, then back. A sound system gives commentary—starts with a story about Manchester, then settles for tagging buildings with a fact or two. This is unclear—in Manchester there are usually four directions you can look at once—but modest and fact‐full. Manchester is the drizzly city, so an half‐open‐top (you can sit downstairs) bus ride may not seem the best way to travel. But the height of the bus gives a clear view of Manchester’s corroded skyline, forests of cupolas, cornice and parapets. You get a show‐stopping view down Salford Quays (not easy on foot), and that’s all most people will need to know of Media City. Manchester City fans can get indignant as the bus cruises Old Trafford, bigging up the football team. The caos of Manchester—ugly glass, stone‐clad hotels, political unrest, history the city can’t live with or live up to—if you’re not interested in that, the photograph of Media City is the one to send home. A postcard introduction to the city, and tons of fun.