Hidden among the modern landscape of Greater Manchester lies a relic of the Industrial Revolution — a once-bustling waterway that carried coal, goods, and prosperity between Manchester, Bolton, and Bury. …
alan.dotchin
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Local HistoryTravel
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Local HistoryTravel
The Manchester Ship Canal: A Waterway That Changed a City
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinStretching over 36 miles from the River Mersey to the heart of Manchester, the Manchester Ship Canal stands as one of Britain’s greatest engineering triumphs — a bold and visionary …
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Travel
Manchester Town Hall: A Gothic Masterpiece and Symbol of Civic Pride
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinStanding proudly in the heart of Manchester’s Albert Square, Manchester Town Hall is more than just a municipal building — it is a work of art, an architectural triumph, and …
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Travel
Spinningfields, Manchester: The Beating Heart of the City’s Modern Identity
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinNestled between Deansgate and the River Irwell, Spinningfields is one of Manchester’s most dynamic and distinctive districts — a place where sleek glass towers rise beside historic red-brick warehouses, and …
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Travel
Clifton Observatory: Bristol’s Window to the Sky and the Gorge
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinPerched dramatically on the edge of the Avon Gorge, overlooking one of the most iconic views in England, the Clifton Observatory is a jewel of Bristol’s landscape. With its commanding …
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Festivals & Events
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta: A Sky Full of Colour and Wonder
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinEvery summer, the skies above Bristol come alive with a spectacular display of colour, creativity, and celebration. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the UK’s most loved outdoor …
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ArtTours & Experiences
Banksy Travel Guide: Discovering the Street Art Legend in Bristol and Beyond
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinExplore the hidden corners, famous murals, and stories behind Banksy’s world. Introduction — Follow the Trail of the Invisible Artist Bristol, Banksy’s hometown, is the beating heart of street art …
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Local HistoryTravel
Banksy – The Invisible Artist Who Changed the World of Street Art
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinThere are few artists in modern history who have captured the world’s attention while remaining a complete mystery. Banksy — the elusive street artist from Bristol, England — is one …
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ArtTours & Experiences
Exploring Banksy in Bristol — The Ultimate Walking Tour
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinWelcome to Bristol — a city where historic streets meet bold, provocative street art, and where one of the world’s most mysterious artists, Banksy, left much of his early mark. …
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Tours & ExperiencesTransport & Vehicles
MV Balmoral – Bristol’s beloved vintage excursion ship
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinIf you wander down to Bristol’s Floating Harbour and spot a white-and-black classic liner tied up outside the M Shed, you’ve likely found MV Balmoral — one of Britain’s most …
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Tucked immediately west of the city centre, Brandon Hill feels a little like Bristol’s green thinking cap: small, steep, and full of ideas. At just a few hectares it isn’t …
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Local HistoryTravel
The Peterloo Massacre of 1819 – The Day Democracy Bled in Manchester
by alan.dotchinby alan.dotchinOn August 16, 1819, a peaceful crowd gathered on St Peter’s Field in Manchester to demand reform. What began as a day of hope — a rally for political representation …
