This is the place: why Whitefield is giving Manchester’s ‘up and coming’ areas a run for their money

It often gets overlooked by its neighbouring suburbs but Whitefield is one of north Manchester’s most desirable areas to live.

With a burst of new bars, restaurants and small businesses popping up on the main stretch of Bury New Road, Whitefield is giving the ‘up and coming’ areas a run for their money.

Known in the past for its bleach works (hence the name Whitefield), its big claim to fame now is that it’s the home of award-winning chocolatier and food emporium Slattery.

But with a variety of shops, bars, restaurants, designer clothing shops and more beauty salons than you can shake a stick at, there is plenty to do that doesn’t involve gorging yourself with chocolate and cake.

Bars and restaurants in Whitefield

With so many new restaurant and cafe openings, Whitefield is a great place for foodies to be on a Friday and Saturday night. From fine dining Italian to Spanish tapas and everything in between, here’s our top picks.

One88 Kitchen & Bar

This restaurant has earned itself a coveted place in food lovers bible The Good Food Guide.  Offering up a critically acclaimed menu by renowned head chef David Gale, whose CV includes New York’s Soho House, Hilton and Abode, the 75-cover restaurant features a family-friendly dining area and a bar downstairs, and is the neighbourhood restaurant we all long for on our doorstep.

Porada

Whitefield is no stranger to Italian restaurants, so what makes Porada stand out from the crowd? Well, the building itself is one of the area’s most distinctive landmarks in its prominent location on the corner of Bury New Road and Church Lane. The gorgeous interior has been designed by one of the UK’s most celebrated interior specialists, giving the place a ‘city centre’ atmosphere. Porada also really stands out for the quality of food, so if you enjoy true Italian cuisine and an extensive wine list, Porada is a must try.

Northern Crafthouse

Offering up a little bit of the Northern Quarter in Whitefield, this all-day American eatery serves up some awesome brunches, burgers and tacos alongside local craft beers and over 75 types of gin. They even have a gin bible. Open 7 days a week from 10am, this child- friendly bar also offers fabulous cocktail masterclasses and gin tasting evenings for north Manchester gin lovers. A very popular choice with locals.

Slattery

Probably Whitefield’s main claim to fame, award-winning patisserie and chocolatier Slattery is a third generation run family business currently celebrating its 50th year in the sweet treat business. The stunning three storey building offers bespoke celebration and wedding cakes, handmade luxury chocolates, cakes and ice cream all made on the premises. The dining room serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas which sometimes have waiting lists a month long. If that wasn’t enough chocolatey treats to fill your boots, they also offer workshops in chocolate, the arts of sugar craft and baking courses in the School of Excellence.

Campo Blanco

A new addition to the Whitefield scene is Campo Blanco, a Spanish tapas restaurant offering a mix of traditional and modern style tapas with over 30 dishes on the menu paired with a carefully selected drinks and cocktail menu. So if you are looking for a place to grab a refreshing beer or a tasty sangria, add Campo Blanco to your list. Dogs are  welcome here.

8 Manchester

Passionate about bringing Chinese cuisine to a new level, 8 Manchester uses the finest ingredients to blend fine dining with both traditional and modern methods of cooking. The stunning interior of this restaurant oozes quality and the bar also offers a list of classic, signature and champagne cocktails. You might even see the occasional celebrity dine here. It’s a bit of a hot spot for reality TV stars and local actors.

Affordability

House prices are on the rise all over north Manchester, but your humble pound will definitely stretch further than any other areas in and around Manchester. New housing developments are going up and young families and professionals are flocking to the area. Around the Ringley Road area of Whitefield, house prices go up to and over £1 million. Some premiership footballers have taken preference to Ringley Chase over Cheshire, as house sizes are much more generous for a much more reasonable price.

And the cost of a pint is cheap compared to town, averaging out at about £3.70 for a pint of Peroni – £1.10 less that other fashionable drinking haunts in and around Manchester.

Parks and Walks

Philips Park Local Nature Reserve

Located on the borders of Whitefield and Prestwich, this beautiful park consists of rich woodland and is an enjoyable walk for all the family. It’s home to Bury’s first mountain bike trail and first countryside centre. The countryside centre occupies the barn of the former estate and includes a classroom where workshops are held throughout the year. They also offer a playscheme for local children to get the chance to experience the environment and its wildlife, with a varied programme of activities including pond dipping and mini-beast safaris.

Fusiliers Meadow

A stretch of land dedicated to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is located on Thatch Leach Lane. This memorial forest was opened in 2010 and a copse of mixed fruit trees has been planted as a memorial orchard dedicated to the Fusiliers who have lost their lives whilst serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and other conflicts since the end of World War II.

Transport

Whitefield has two Metrolink stations, Whitefield and Besses o’th Barn, making it easy to get to town and back. It takes just 17 minutes to get to Victoria with trams running every 6 minutes at peak times. Or if you prefer, the drive of 5.7 miles into town would take you 20 minutes on a good day – but considerably longer in rush hour. Junction 17 of the M60 is one of the busiest motorway junctions in Manchester, making it easier for out-of-towners to head in and have a look around, or take a quick pit stop whilst making a journey further north.

Things to do

Whitefield Golf Club

With a history stretching back to 1932, Whitefield Golf Club is one of the longest-established golf clubs in the north west. The spectacular 10-hole, par 69 parkland style course is especially welcoming, while presenting a challenge for players of all abilities. They also host a lot of social functions and lunches, golf days and events. Everything that a golfer or wannabe golfer would want from a local golf club.

Whitefield Garrick Theatre

Founded in 1943 and run by local theatre enthusiasts, Whitefield Garrick Theatre holds a varied programme of five plays each year. This 87-seat theatre is conveniently located near Whitefield tram station for out-of-towners to visit easily. The theatre underwent some much-needed refurbishments in 2018 and is back open with some great plays lined up for 2019.

The Spice Club Cookery Classes

Indian supper club The Spice Club is run by mother-and-daughter team Monica and Anita Sawhney. It’s an authentic Indian home cooking experience where you can learn the secrets of creating a delicious biriyani feast or a Delhi Street Food fiesta. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook wanting to venture deeper into Indian cuisine, Spice Club classes will provide everything from ingredients to instructions allowing you to make a complete Indian mean from start to finish.

This is the Place is the name of a poem written by Tony Walsh commissioned by Forever Manchester, the one and only charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester. And they can’t do it without your help. Donate what you can because investing in your local community to help it thrive can be a hugely rewarding experience. There’s a unique sense of satisfaction in knowing that you are making a real difference to the lives of others, especially to those close to home.

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