You spin me right round baby right round... (The Wheel of Manchester)

Member Name: Kayteehee

Product:	The Wheel of Manchester
Date:	05/07/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent views, friendly staff, clean

Disadvantages: A little pricey

I visited Manchester for a weekend away (See my review of the Manchester Marriot hotel for more info) back in April. It was mostly fantastic weather and when we spied the Wheel of Manchester just outside the shopping centre we decided we must have a go!

We had to queue up for around ten minutes and it cost £6.50 per adult to go on, which made it about the same price as a cinema ticket. A little pricey but as we wouldn't be going on it every week we didn't mind paying.. especially for the fantastic views.

Whilst queuing a guy came to take our photograph, something I absolutely hate, as I am a photographer myself, I like to hide BEHIND the camera, not in front! However he was friendly, though we didn't seem to have a choice about having our photograph taken or not. On boarding the capsule I was relived that we got to go in it just me and my partner, there were signs up saying that at busy times you could have to share with someone else. Not something I wanted to do after paying that kind of ticket price for a bit of a romantic view!!
The capsules themselves could fit around 6 people max. They are see through and feel pretty safe. They were really clean and so the windows were fantastic for looking through and taking photographs.

Whilst in the capsule you are played audio commentary from a presenter from the local Radio station. The commentary is really useful as it tells you such things about where to spot certain landmarks and about the history of Manchester. We had three rotations I believe which was just enough to see everything and take enough photographs without getting bored. I think we were in it for around ten-fifteen minutes in total. The views were fantastic, you could see all across the city and beyond.

On arriving back on the ground we were helped back out by a friendly staff member and then were presented with a photograph of ourselves already printed out, which we could buy for an amount I can't remember, I think it was around £10. It came in a special pouch with images of the wheel and of Manchester, but the photograph was nothing special and my hair looked hideous, so needless to say this was not purchased!

Overall I was really happy that we decided to go on the Wheel, and was impressed with it, though I think once is definitely enough for during the day. I would, however be interested to go back at night and see a night-time view of Manchester when it is all lit up.

Summary: Worth a visit for the shameless tourist!!