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All You Need to Know About Fallowfield

Fallowfield is one of Greater Manchester’s suburbs. It’s a very homey space, with a huge public park and lots of residences, but it is quite lively too, thanks to its people. 

If you went to college at the University of Manchester, then we’re sure that you’re very well-versed with the location and culture of Fallowfield! (It might’ve been your residence for a bit (or the venue of your graduation dinner), since it’s the nearest area to Uni.

For those who are new and need a proper guide, read further as we go along the ins and outs of this special place.

Where is Fallowfield located?

fallowfield-manchester-map
Image Source: Google Maps

Fallowfield is a part of Greater Manchester, approximately 3 miles (5 kilometres) south of Manchester town (city centre). 

It’s most known for being near enough to the universities and colleges, thanks to being very accessible southbound via Wilmslow Road.

On the road from Manchester town, the easiest way to find out that you’re already in Fallowfield is when you’re already seeing the greenery of the vast Platt Fields Park off your right-hand side. The roadside consists mostly of perimeter walls enclosing tall trees.

What is the main street in Fallowfield?

The main street that goes through most parts of Fallowfield is Wilmslow Road. It runs through the north and south parts of the town, and is the road to take if you’re going to the Curry Mile.

Other major roads that traverse Fallowfield in the east and west directions are Wilbraham Road and Moseley Road, respectively. These roads are both at a junction with Wilmslow Road.

Platt Lane is also a popular thoroughfare that’s most used by homegrown Fallowfield locals. It starts from a corner of Wilmslow Road and ends at Princess Road (the border to Whalley Range).

How to Get to Fallowfield

Closest bus stop: The best starting point in the city is at Piccadilly Gardens. Ride the 43 or 143 bus from there and get off at the Owen Street stop at Fallowfield.

Tram: We don’t really suggest taking the tram (Pink Line), unless you’re good with taking a 30-minute walk from the nearest station (Burton Road) through West Didsbury and Withington to reach Fallowfield proper. 

Driving: Do you have your own vehicle? If you’re coming from either edge of the city centre, take the roads leading to the A34 (Upper Brook Street–Anson Road–Birchfields Road), then turn onto Moseley Road, and you’re in Fallowfield.

What to Do and See in Fallowfield

Do an afternoon stroll at Platt Fields Park

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The area of Platt Fields Park was a vast estate owned by the Platt family since the 1200s. It was then owned by the Worsley family since the late 1800s, ultimately becoming a public park in 1910.

Platt Fields Park stands proud today with a host of amenities for Fallowfield residents, including a football pitch, children’s play area, and tennis courts, among others. The crowning glory of it all, Platt Hall, which holds community events.

For the full lowdown on how to spend your days here, see our own Platt Fields Park guide.

Ride a bike along the Fallowfield Loop

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Eco-friendly travellers love going from Chorlton to Fairfield through the Fallowfield Loop. This 8.7-kilometre (5.4 miles) stretch of asphalt road was a former railway line and now serves as a thoroughfare for pedestrians, cyclists, and even horse riders!

Aside from the paved road that’s pretty much a straightforward route, you also get to enjoy the shrubbery and trees surrounding it. The view is splendid, especially during spring and summer.

Play some cricket at Alexandra Park

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Although Alexandra Park is technically in Whalley Range territory, it’s still borderline Fallowfield, so we’ll let it slide. It’s smaller in area compared to Platt Fields, but it is older, with unique elements of its own.

One of these is the cricket pitch, where you can have a competitive game with strangers or your mates. If you’re not into tiring yourself out, there’s also a fishing lake for some leisurely chill time.

Where to Eat in Fallowfield

HOSEKI

Media from HOSEKI

Address: 292 Platt Lane
Contact details: 0161 915 9899, [email protected] 
Pricing: £ 
Operating hours: 

  • Monday and Tuesday – 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
  • Thursday to Saturday – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  • Sunday – 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
  • Wednesday – CLOSED

Good to know: Offers a discount for orders made through its website
Website

‘Hoseki’ literally means ‘gem’ in the Japanese language. With this translation and the fascination of its owners with precious stones, we don’t really find ourselves surprised by the great quality of food and service in this Fallowfield restaurant.

This restaurant serves some of the tastiest (and prettiest) rolls of sushi in the student town. We like the uramaki (inside-out) rolls, which still have the fillings in the middle, but have the rice and the nori (seaweed) swapped in position.

However, if your appetite is leaning towards a more savoury meal, then the teriyaki bento box—complete with rice and side dishes—might just be your jam.

Fuzion Noodle Bar

Media from Fuzion Noodle Bar

Address: 264 Wilmslow Road
Contact details: 0161 248 6688, [email protected] 
Pricing: £ 
Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Friday – 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday – 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Good to know: Serves Halal Asian food
Website
Menu

Fuzion is an aptly named restaurant that has been around since 2003. It offers dishes with Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Malaysian influences, making meals here a short yet pleasant ‘trip’ to East and Southeast Asia.

It’s pad thai’s the banging with the right levels of savoury and spiciness—but don’t get us wrong, the rest of the menu is sublime, too. What makes it even better is the sheer size of the servings that would really make you full in no time!

Also, maybe because of the Malaysian bit, the food here is halal. Our Muslim friends won’t have to worry about sorting their tums while still following religious practice.

HAUS

Media from HAUS

Address: 2A Landcross Road
Contact details: 0161 222 9986, [email protected] 
Pricing: £ 
Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM
  • Sunday – 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM

Good to know: Not for adults, just for students apparently
Website
Menu

HAUS is a restaurant and bar serving brekky in the morning, pizza from the afternoon, and drinks all throughout until closing. It has an upbeat vibe and lots of seating for groups.

Whether or not you’re nursing a hangover, HAUS’s pizzas will get you sorted. We fancy its version of the Margherita, which you can order in regular or vegan cheese varieties.

This place just has one quirk: you’ll likely get barred at the door if you’re not a student. Do what you will with that info, but still keep it in mind, especially if you want to eat here at peak hours.

Where to Drink and Experience Nightlife in Fallowfield

The Studio Bar (formerly The Beer Studio)

Media from Studio Bar Fallowfield

Address: 256a Wilmslow Road
Contact details: 0161 225 7444, [email protected] 
Pricing: £ 
Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Friday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  • Saturday – 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  • Sunday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Good to know: Closes every summer break (June to September)
Facebook
Menu

Head on to the Studio Bar at Wilmslow Road for a night out with friends. This joint is definitely leaning towards the student population, but the pub scran and ales (mostly from Hydes) are quite splendid.

Speaking of food, Studio Kitchen’s most popular order is the beefy burger. It’s quite a steal already because it has not only skin-on fries, but also some coleslaw.

You’ll usually hear that it’s a popular hangout for college kids watching their favourite teams play footy, but there are also more congenial nights for quizzes or karaoke. 

256 Fallowfield

Media from 256 Wilmslow Road

Address: 256 Wilmslow Road
Contact details: 0161 533 0256, [email protected] 
Pricing: £ 
Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday – 3:00 PM to 2:30 AM
  • Friday and Saturday – 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM
  • Sunday – 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM

Good to know: Has different discounts/promos every day of the week
Website
Menu

We can’t believe how many times we’ve already written ‘256 Wilmslow Road’ in this post. Not to be over-egging the pudding, but we just can’t help it, especially if the topic at hand also has the very same name!

That aside, 256 (for brevity) is another student-centric pub in this popular address, most known for its sizeable space (it’s an old church building after all), complete with a beer garden. Food and drinks are good, with the ‘256 burger’ and fries reigning supreme.

Just prepare yourself mentally, since the place gets really packed with amazing scenes! 

The Friendship Inn

Media from Friendship Inn

Address: 353 Wilmslow Road
Contact details: 0161 224 5758, [email protected] 
Pricing: £ 
Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  • Friday and Saturday – 12:00 PM to 12:00 PM 

Good to know: Has multiple drink promos on different days of the week
Website

Fans of Hydes’s brews would really be chuffed when in Fallowfield. Another one in the brewery’s roster is the Friendship Inn, which is already in the ward border towards Withington.

Of all the pubs on this side of town, the Friendship Inn has the most balanced type of patrons. University students and old folks alike enjoy this joint, thanks to the classic Victorian-era look and charm it has retained.

Aside from the real ales, pub grub like pizza, nachos, burgers, and fries are mainstays.

Where to Shop in Fallowfield

Wimmy Foods

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Website: Wimmy Foods Facebook
Contact details: 0161 641 4357

Just a few metres off the intersection of Wilmslow and Moseley Roads is the Halal grocer, Wimmy Foods. It’s not just a small shop, but an actual 9-to-9 supermarket where you can buy Asian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean goods.

With just less than 5 years in its belt, Wimmy Foods has already captured the patronage of Fallowfield residents for its quality products and amiable customer service. Discounts and special offers on fruit, meat, and other groceries are given, too.

Sainsbury’s 

Media from Sainsbury’s

Website: Fallowfield Superstore
Contact details: 0161 256 0490

Chain supermarket Sainsbury has three branches along the entire stretch of the long Wilmslow Road, and one of them is in the Fallowfield area. As expected of the brand, this Sainsbury’s branch is a supermarket with all the extra amenities.

Some of these include an electric vehicle charging station, an ATM, post lockers, an Argos furniture shop, and even a Starbucks. Depending on the day, it closes an hour or so before midnight.

Where to Stay in Fallowfield

Luther King House

Media from Tianlin Qi

Address: Brighton Grove
Contact details: 0161 224 6404, [email protected] 
Pricing: £
Book Now

The Luther King House is probably the most straightforward yet charming stay you’ll find in Fallowfield. Although it’s only considered three-star (since it’s actually a part of a theological college), the rooms and service provide more than enough value for money.

Nowadays, it accommodates both students (as housing) as well as the typical transient hotel-goer. With single, double, and twin rooms, solo and group travellers will have a place to stay. Breakfast is complimentary, but the hotel is a non-smoking area.

Stays with FCD – Moseley Gardens

Media from Google Maps

Address: 62 Moseley Road
Contact details: 7341376875, [email protected] 
Pricing: £££
Book Now 

For a ‘home away from home’ experience, why not hire an entire house? Staying at Friday Club Developments (FCD)’s Moseley Road property is a brilliant choice if you want a stay that’s spacious and truly private.

The Moseley Gardens house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, a kitchen, and a gated patio. Moreover, an in-house laundry area is a godsend for those who have been travelling long enough to need a set of fresh clothes.

This kind of stay is indeed much more expensive than a hotel, but if you’re in a group or just looking for utmost comfort, then it might just be the one to book.

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