Wheel, Manchester

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*Please note Manchester Wheel is no more :-( - I didn't see it on my last trip to Manchester in May 2012*

On many Manchester trips I always keep seeing the wheel but never took the opportunity to ride on it. However, on a recent trip, I've decided to take a ride where I was rewarded with amazing views of the city 60m above the ground! I do recommend riding on the wheel on a clear day as you can get the most out of the sites.

It cost me 7.50 gbp (October 2011) to ride on the wheel. Please be aware that a souvenir photograph is taken of you before your ride which is available afterwards. The big issues is that it can cost a lot to purchase one! You have to buy a souvenir photograph pack which cost 15-20 gbp and the photographs aren't available separately.

I've been on the Manchester wheel a few times. It's not the cheapest of tourist attractions, but I enjoy it.
You get to see Manchester and the landmarks within.
The wheel usually rotates twice before you have to get off, but if it's not busy, they leave you on longer. The ride lasts about 12-15 minutes; you don't feel at all rushed and can take evrything in. There is also commentry that guides you to Manchester's landmarks so you know what you are looking at!
The pods you sit in are for 4 people and have glass sides and glass doors. You can 'upgrade' your pod to that with a glass floor or a VIP pod which has tinted windows and champagne. All at an extra cost.
Last time I went on the wheel, the ticket was £7.50 with a discount for children.

On a clear day, I recommend this activity.

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There are 42 fully enclosed capsules which rise to a height of 60 meters.

The ride lasts about 13 minutes and features commentary pointing out local landmarks

Daily Opening and Closing Times
Monday to Thursday 10.00am – 9.00pm
Friday and Saturday 10.00am – 11.00pm
Sunday 10.00am – 9.00pm

(Open until 11.30pm for MEN Arena Events)

Times and availability may change due to maintenance, weather or other operational reasons.PLEASE NOTE NO ANIMALS EXCEPT GUIDE DOGS ALLOWED
PRICES

Adult£8.50
Student £5.50
Child (16 years and under) £5.00
Child (3 years and under) £1.00 Infant (1 year and under) FREE
Family Ticket
- Max. 2 Adults and 2 Children £20.00

PRIVATE CAPSULE - Max. 6 Adults and 2 Children £40.00
VIP CAPSULE - Max. 4 Adults £50.00
VIP Capsule with Champagne (half bottle) - Max. 4 Adults 18 years and older £60.00

The Manchester wheel takes you up to a height of 60 meters and the ride lasts about 12-15 minutes so you dont feel rushed...there are different types of capsules available for instance with glass floors and extras like your own DVD and champagne can be added on at extra cost of course ...an adult ticket costs 7,50 pounds each but on your ticket is a printed reduction if you ( or someone else) wants to go again.
Before you get on your picture is taken and at the end as you exit you will find a nice folder with pictures and a keyring and a fridge magnet included..the full package is quite expensive but you can buy all the items seperately ( I chose the fridge magnet of course).
We went up as dusk was falling just before the VT Manchester Christmas Markets Meet 2011 evening meal and the city was glittering in the bit of rain and despite the wind being quite fresh up there we felt perfectly safe.

Daily Opening and Closing Times
Monday to Thursday 10.00am – 9.00pm
Friday and Saturday 10.00am – 11.00pm
Sunday 10.00am – 9.00pm

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The Manchester Wheel is a transportable ferris wheel installation at Exchange Square in the City centre.The first wheel was installed in 2004.A second wheel was erected in May 2007.The current wheel,operated by World Tourist Attractions,and also known as the capital wheel of Manchester has 42 passenger cars and is 60 metres(197ft)tall.from the top of the wheel you get spectacular views of the city and surrounding districts.

Open mon till thu:10am-9pm
fri and sat:10am-11pm
sun:10am-9pm
Prices-Adult:£7.50,OAP/student:£5.50,Child under 16:£5.00,under 3:£1.00.
2 adults and 2 children in private capsule:£40.00(discounts online,check website)

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Have a ride on the Manchester wheel - it's smaller and cheaper than the London eye - the capsules are smaller holding about eight people. You can book your ticket online for a reduced price - the wheel is close to the city centre shops and is open all year round.

You can get some great views of the triangle that you can only see from the wheel.

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Advertised as ‘The Best View in the City’, the Wheel of Manchester has rapidly lost popularity over the last year or so. At £6.50 a head for adults, it works out cheaper to go to Cloud 23 and buy a drink. The view is better and you can stay as long as you want. If you have money to throw away then it is probably worth it just for the experience and so you can say “I went on that...” but otherwise, don’t bother.

Daily Opening and Closing Times
Monday to Thursday 10.00am to 10.00pm
Friday 10.00am to 12:00 midnight
Saturday 09.00am to 12:00 midnight
Sunday 10.00am to 7.00pm
24th Dec 9.00am – 6.00pm
Christmas Day Closed
26th Dec Noon – 7.00pm
28th Dec 10.00am – 7.00pm
31st Dec 10.00am – 2.00am
1st Jan 11.00am – 6.00pm

Ticket Types and Prices
Adult £6.50 £5.85
OAP/Student £5.00 £4.50
Child (16 years and under, under 12's accompanied by an adult) £4.50 £4.05*
Child (3 years and under) £1.00 £0.90*
Infant (1 year and under) FREE
Family Ticket (max 2 adults + 2 children) £18.00 £16.20*
Private Capsule (max. 6 adults + 2 children) £35.00 £31.50*
VIP Capsule (max. 4 adults) £50.00 £45.00*
VIP Capsule with Champagne (Half bottle) £70.00 £63.00*

*online price

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The wheel takes you to a height of 60 metres above the heart of Manchester. From your capsule there are spectacular views of the city centre.

The wheel is open daily from morning to late at night. It cost £6.50 for an adult & the ride lasted 13 minutes.

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The Manchester Wheel is situated in Exchange Square in the heart of Manchester City Centre. It has 42 capsules with a seating capacity of up to eight people. Each capsule has air conditioning and heating and if you want to push the boat out you can go for the luxurious VIP capsule with optional champagne. The wheel is 60 metres high offering splendid views of the City. There is also a commentary which points out local landmarks.

Daily Opening and Closing Times
Sunday to Thursday 10.00am to 11.00pm
Friday 10.00am to 12:00 midnight
Saturday 09.00am to 12:00 midnight

Ticket Types and Prices

Onsite

Online
Adult £6.50 £5.85
OAP/Student £5.00 £4.50

Child (16 years and under)
(under 12's accompanied by an adult)
£4.50 £4.05
Child (3 years and under) £1.00 £0.90
Infant (1 year and under) FREE FREE
Family Ticket
(max 2 adults + 2 children) £18.00 £16.20
Private Capsule
(max. 6 adults + 2 children) £35.00 £31.50
VIP Capsule
(max. 4 adults) £50.00 £45.00
VIP Capsule with Champagne
(Half bottle) £70.00 £63.00
The Wheel Experience

It was first erected over the winter of 2004/5 and returned for For the Christmas season again in 2005-06 and 2006/7. It is now a permanent fixture in Exchange Square behind Selfridges by The Triangle and Printworks and is lit by 51,000 light bulbs. Definitely worth a ride on a clear day. Yes there are some of those in Manchester!

You get 3 or 4 circuits of the wheel for your money. Great way to get a bird's eye view of Manchester.

Tickets at last visit cost £6 for adults, £4 for senior citizens and £4 for children; (2007 prices) call 0161 831 9508 for bookings.