Season guide · Manchester · United Kingdom
Manchester in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Lengthening days and milder weather, with blossom in the parks and frequent showers; May is often the most pleasant month. Expect highs up to 16°C (61°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 35 rainy days across March–May. May is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 3°C (37°F) to 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 35
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 10°C (50°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 13 | 11.7 h | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C (55°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 11 | 13.9 h | 3/5 |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 11 | 15.9 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 13°C (55°F) against a yearly 14°C (57°F), and 35 of the year's roughly 155 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Manchester Marathon (usually April)
- May: Great Manchester Run (usually May)
Good choices for spring
Museum · Castlefield
Science and Industry Museum
Spread across the buildings of Liverpool Road station, the terminus of the 1830 Liverpool and Manchester Railway and the oldest surviving passenger railway station in the world, the museum tells the story of the city's textile mills, engineering and computing, including working cotton machinery demonstrations.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Architecture · Deansgate
John Rylands Library
Head straight upstairs to the Historic Reading Room, then look for the current exhibition in the modern wing.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Museum · University
Manchester Museum
The University of Manchester's museum reopened in 2023 after a major expansion.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Nature
Gallery · City Centre
Manchester Art Gallery
Look for Ford Madox Brown's Work, one of the most famous Victorian paintings of everyday labour.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Gallery · University
The Whitworth
The University of Manchester's art gallery opens onto Whitworth Park through a glass-walled extension.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Day trips in spring
- Peak District: Edale and Castleton (About 45 minutes–1 hour by train) — The Hope Valley line runs straight into the Peak District National Park.
- Liverpool (About 35–50 minutes by train) — Manchester's neighbour has the Royal Albert Dock, the Beatles Story, free national museums, two cathedrals linked by Hope Street, and the Pier Head waterfront with the Royal Liver Building.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Manchester?
Yes: May is among the best months. Lengthening days and milder weather, with blossom in the parks and frequent showers; May is often the most pleasant month.
+What is the weather like in Manchester in spring?
Highs of up to 16°C (61°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 35 rainy days over the season.