Visiting London and Manchester

[SpokaneTom]

I need some help from those of you hailing from the UK.  My wife and I are traveling over there in June for a two week visit.  Flying into London and hanging out for a couple of days, then spending the rest in Manchester, where my daughter and son-in-law will be for a short time.  I've never been there.  The couple days in London is for touristy stuff and I'd certainly appreciate suggestions for what would be good for a couple of Yanks to see.  But after that, I'd love some suggestions for interesting things to see and do outside of the big city.  By that I mean near Manchester.  I'd much rather see small towns and actually get a decent feel for England away from the big crowds.

So any and all suggestions including places to stay that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

Thank you!

[LoneWolf]

Manchester is a great city, quite a few things to do but much smaller and easier to get around than London. Depends on your interests but I'd recommend a walk round the Northern Quarter and the canals.

You're quite close to the Peak District in Manchester too, I'd recommend that area for getting out of the city. Theres the Blue John caverns, and that's surrounded by quite a few small towns and villages like Chapel-en-le-Frith, Glossop. Also Buxton in that area is very nice too.