LGW From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (8 years 6 months 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 2647 times:
Hi all,
Since the forum is a good place to request info on where to spot and stay etc I thought I would try and get a little help.
I am at the stage of looking to book a couple of flights for 2005 and MAN seems to be cheap so may give it a bash.
Main points are firstly how easy is it to navigate the airfield for photography without transport, perhaps a hire car is the best option?
Secondly where to stay, I don't mind saving a few pounds on a flight but like a nice hotel so a decent hotel in a location either near a good photography location or within a good general area would be good.
Nothing is certain yet but any help would be much appreciated to aid my decision making process.
Mikec From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 247 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (8 years 6 months 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 2616 times:
Radisson SAS has views over the apron - the higher the better as you are over most obstacles. You can get rates around £90 per room, which is a little on the high side but it's a very nice hotel and has good views. I've stayed there twice and would definitely go back
As for photography, you really want to get to the south side - you are on raised ground running the length of 24L/06R and can see directly on to the runway. You really need a car to get here (taxi would be an option but expensive and have to find one to get back!). First time I went, I took my own car and drove to MAN, so just parked that, but second time I hired a car. Parking is possible after you come out from under the tunnel (that goes under the runways), but in busy periods, there may be no spaces left and I think it's a bit dubious as to whether you are allowed to park there - never heard of many problems though.
The best thing about the south side is that you can walk the length of it (quite long though!) and get everything from 24L lineups to shots half way down, to rotation shots, and even go around to the lights the other end (06R) and gets shots up the runway. The light is right behind most of the day, and when it does go around later in the day, you can go under 24L/06R and face the other way and get the sun behind again.
There's also the aviation viewing park which has good views of taxying aircraft and also aircraft on 24R/06L. However the sun isn't behind most of the day (only late on) and it can get very busy with families. Still worth a visit though!
Demoose From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1952 posts, RR: 26 Reply 3, posted (8 years 6 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2546 times:
If you don't have a car and want to get southside there's always the Moat House Hotel located just south of the runways, about 3 miles from the main terminal complex but perfect walking distance to all the southside area which offers the best photography opportunities. Only thing to remember is that runway 2 closes between 12 and 3pm so you might want to venture to the main terminal area or the viewing park during this time.
Go3Team From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3266 posts, RR: 21 Reply 4, posted (8 years 6 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2493 times:
I also plan on going to MAN during my Eurotrip next month. I decided to take a train from the LTN area, where I will be staying, to the MAN rail station. Is this station in the airport itself, or else where on the premises? Since I don't trust my abilities to drive on the wrong side of the road, car hire is out of the question.
A340600 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 4103 posts, RR: 53 Reply 5, posted (8 years 6 months 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2476 times:
Ben Pritchard is going to MAN. Can't wait for the results, being one of my original favourite photographers on Anet! I'm heading to MAN next year too so this topic could be useful for me lol. I have friends though in MAN. Were you thinking of Jet2, they do flights for 30 quid LGW-MAN-LGW,
Sam
Despite the name I am a Boeing man through and through!
Jid From Barbados, joined Dec 2004, 962 posts, RR: 34 Reply 7, posted (8 years 6 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 2444 times:
Ben, there are all the normal airport hotels around MAN. All the ones round the airport are on the north side of the field so the light from them is not always the best. The Moat House Hotel is on the south side of the field which is a 10 minute taxi ride from the airport. From there you will be within a 10 minute walk from the threshold of 24L
I live a 15 minute push bike ride away from the field and find it easier to go on my bike than in a car. If you need anymore detail that can't be answered by http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk do feel free to contact me.
Jid.
G7EPN is back after 15 years! Operating all Bands 80mtrs -> 70cms QRZ DX
Jfazzer From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 153 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (8 years 6 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 2347 times:
Hi Ben, As Manchester is probably one of the most "spotter-friendly" airports in the world, there are a large number of options all round the airport.
However you will need to consider light which means that if you want any active shots in, (i.e not just taxiing) during the morning which is the busiest time, you really need to consider some type of transport in order to get you over to the south side of the airfield.
Once there you will be amazed at the facilities as there are even paths that will take you right round 06R/24L from threshold to threshold.
There is even the option of walking alongside the river Bolin and coming up on the south side of 06L/24R from where some great "head on shots" can be taken.This requires a slightly longer walk however.
Alternatively you could try the Airport Hotel which is situated at the threshold of 24L, the light is not to good here but you can get a pint and a bight to eat.
Then there is the top of the Terminal 1 carpark which affords good views over terminal 2
CO777 From South Africa, joined Apr 2000, 261 posts, RR: 12 Reply 14, posted (8 years 6 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2298 times:
Hi Ben, I stayed at the Crown Plaza when I was there back in October.It was 70 Pounds a night.It is walkable from the terminals and the Train and Bus station.If you really want to be adventurous it is possible to walk from the viewing park to the Hotels.It can take a while.I would definitly go back to MAN again.I wont rent a car this time.
Jason Whitebird
A340Spotter From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1974 posts, RR: 25 Reply 15, posted (8 years 6 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2287 times:
Thomas,
The Robinson Airport Hotel is actually quite on the cheap side, being a basic bed and breakfast place. They have 4 rooms of varying size, with all sharing a bath. The one room closest to the runway is the smallest and as of the fall of 2001 when I spent a week (a record according to the barmaids!), the price was 25 pounds a night, but the room is basically a bed with a small tv and not much else! But staying at the hotel also lets you have full access to the pub roof which for a while was limited only to guests (not sure now)...
I stayed at the Moat House last summer for a night and the walk was quite nice early on to get the shots from the hill. A little bit expensive, but as they have shuttle buses between the airport and the hotel, the cost savings from not taking a taxi make up for it.
Hope that helps...I love Manchester and can't wait to return to kill some more Kodachrome there...
Jeffrey
"Irregardless, it's a Cat III airplane, we don't need an alternate!"
Thom@s From Norway, joined Oct 2000, 11951 posts, RR: 50 Reply 16, posted (8 years 6 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2281 times:
That's quite cheap considering the location.
but the room is basically a bed with a small tv and not much else!
Who needs any more than that when you have planes flying by every minute. That's why a person whould stay there in the first place. Wouldn't be able to hear the telly anyway...
Jid, thanks. When I come over to MAN next summer I'll bring my new 400mm. That ought to do it.
Thom@s
"If guns don't kill people, people kill people - does that mean toasters don't toast toast, toast toast toast?"
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From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3266 posts, 
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Wouldn't be able to hear the telly anyway... 
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