With homes in Poynton, Wigan and Swinton, among others, Elan Homes is the ideal homebuilder if you are looking for new homes in Manchester and the Greater Manchester area.

We understand what’s important to buyers when choosing where to settle down, and we know people want to live within easy reach of commuter links, as well as having great restaurants and lots of activities nearby.

That’s why we consider these factors and more when choosing to build in sought-after locations, including towns, villages and suburbs with a strong sense of community.

Things to do in Manchester

Anyone looking to buy a new home in Manchester should do so with the knowledge they will be spoilt for choice for things to do in the area.

From football to theatre to museums and parks, Manchester has it all. Adrenaline junkies will jump at the chance to try indoor skydiving at iFly or take to the slopes and learn to ski at Chill Factore.

The National Football Museum is a must visit for fans of the beautiful game, while those on the lookout for a bit of culture will want to head to one of the many theatres in the area, such as The Lowry, the Opera House or the Palace Theatre.

You can also take a step back in time and explore the area’s history with a visit to the Imperial War Museum North and Stockport’s Hat Museum or take a look at ideas that changed the world at the Science and Industry Museum.

And for those who love the outdoors, the National Trust’s Lyme Park features a lake, woodland, moorland, a hunting lodge, a 1000-acre deer park, as well as the Crow Wood Children’s Playscape.

Transport in Manchester

Manchester boasts a great transport system, helping make it a great place to live.

The Metrolink is the UK’s largest tram network and is part of the Bee Network, which also includes bus and train travel across Greater Manchester. Bus fares across the network are also capped at £2 per single fare.

Direct train services from Manchester Piccadilly link to all corners of the UK, including to London Euston (2 hours), Leeds (1 hour) and Sheffield (1 hour), while Manchester Victoria can take you to other destinations, such as Newcastle (2.5 hours) and Chester (1 hour).

For those travelling by car, the M60 outer ring road is a key route passing through Stockport, Sale, Trafford, Worsley, Middleton and Ashton-under-Lyne. Meanwhile, the M62 connects Manchester to cities and towns across the North, such as Warrington, Huddersfield and Halifax.

The M56 serves Cheshire and Greater Manchester, and will be the main route for anyone wanting to go on holiday via Manchester Airport, which offers international travel to Europe and many major global destinations.

Restaurants in Manchester

A constantly expanding city, not a month goes by without a new eatery opening in Manchester, meaning the range available provides options for everyone’s taste and budget.

For example, Manchester Chinatown is home to many restaurants serving authentic Asian cuisine, such as Teppanyaki Chinatown, Pho Cue, Try Thai and Only Yu.

For those after a more traditional pub meal, the Edinburgh Castle Pub in Ancoats was listed among the top gastro pubs in the UK in 2023 and has been a staple of the area since 1811. On the other side of town, The Wharf in Castlefield offers great food next to Bridgewater Canal, making it an ideal spot for a sunny day meal.

On the higher end of the price scale, Manchester has one Michelin Star restaurant: Mana in Ancoats.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other fine dining experiences in and around the city, since two other restaurants in Greater Manchester have been awarded four rosettes by the AA: Where the Lights Get In in Stockport (which also has a Michelin Green Star) and Adam Reid at the French in the Midland Hotel.

And for a more affordable option, the increasingly popular Six by Nico has two locations in Manchester.

Shopping in Manchester

hose craving some retail therapy will be glad to know there’s plenty of choice for shopping in and around Manchester.

Big name brands can be found at Exchange Square and on Market Street, while designer stores are located around King Street, Spinningfields and New Cathedral Street.

For indoor shopping options, simply head over to the Arndale or Trafford Centre to shop until you drop. And if vintage stores and record shops are more your thing, the Northern Quarter will have everything you need.

Outside of Manchester itself, Merseyway Stockport features high street favourites alongside local independent stores.