We are excited to welcome travel writer 
Ben Aitken
 to Deansgate, discussing his latest work 
Sh*tty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities
.
The latest in a line of charming, eccentric and hilarious works—see also 
The Gran Tour
, 
A Chip Shop in Poznan
 and 
Dear Bill Bryson: Footnotes from a Small Island—
comes a powerful and delightful antidote to smug travelogues of popular places.
Joined in conversation by author and poet Jonny Rodgers, the pair will be discussing Ben's insightful trip around the UK's less frequented towns and the treasures that be found in these unlikely (and underrated!) places.
About
 
Sh*tty Breaks
Not everything that glitters is gold - which is why Ben Aitken gave London the cold shoulder and went to Preston instead.
Hailing from Portsmouth, Ben knew from experience that unfashionable places could be quietly brilliant. So, over the course of a year, the author of A Chip Shop in Poznan and The Gran Tour visited twelve of the least popular spots in the UK and Ireland for a city break. The motivation wasn’t to take the mickey or stick the boot in, but to seek out the good stuff, to uncover the gems, to have a nice time. By doing so, he hoped to demonstrate that anywhere – like anyone – can be interesting and nourishing and enjoyable if approached in the right fashion.
Ben went skiing in Sunderland, to the football in Wrexham, and fell in love with Dunfermline. He kissed an alpaca in Bradford, suffered jellied eels in Chelmsford, and had more craic in Limerick than was wise. The upshot is a celebration of the underdog; a hymn to the wrong direction; and evidencethat there’s no such thing as a shitty break. What’s more, by spreading its affection beyond the usual suspects (which are often overdone and overpriced), Sh*tty Breaks promotes a less expensive and more sustainable brand of travel.
By ghosting Bath and giving Lisbon the boot, the book champions the unsung in an algorithmic, over-signposted world dominated by celebs and hotspots. Cheeky weekend in Milton Keynes anyone?
"Driven both by a real love for people and an abiding sense of the ridiculous, Ben Aitken walks and talks his charming way around the unsung cities of the British Isles. For all that it is funny, and it really is, it is also an important love letter to ordinariness in all its forms which, in these needy times, is a precious thing. Funny and immensely thought provoking."—
Roger Morgan-Grenville
, author of The Restless Coast
About the author
BEN AITKEN
 was born under Thatcher, grew to 6ft then stopped, and is an Aquarius. He is the author of six books: 
Dear Bill Bryson
, 
A Chip Shop in Poznan
 (a Times bestseller), 
The Gran Tour
 (‘Both moving and hilarious’, Spectator), 
The Marmalade Diaries
, 
Here Comes the Fun
 and 
Sh*tty Breaks
.
JONNY RODGERS
 is a writer of poetry and short fiction from the Northwest. He completed a doctorate in Contemporary Fiction at the University of Manchester and now teaches in Manchester. His work has been featured in various publications including: 
Envoi
, 
Lighthouse
 and 
Stand
.
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Stock Exchange Hotel, Manchester, Autograph Collection

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cimberlynafzi

Etihad Stadium, located in Manchester, England, is a modern and impressive venue that serves as the home of Manchester City Football Club. Known for its sleek design and state-of-the-art facilities, the stadium offers a fantastic atmosphere for fans attending matches. With a seating capacity of over 53,000, it&rsquo;s one of the largest and most well-equipped stadiums in the UK. Beyond football, Etihad Stadium also hosts concerts and events, making it a vibrant part of the city&rsquo;s entertainment scene.

Chinatown

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Went to Happy seasons restaurant and TSUJIRI in Manchester Chinatown with my mates after exams. Authentic Chinese cuisine with reasonable prices. The matcha sundae was also delicious. There are also many nice Asian restaurants around the area.

Hotel Gotham

The Lowry Hotel Manchester

The University of Manchester

EN the traveller

The University is located not too far from Chinatown, making this a nice day trip for those looking to checkout a UK university and have a nice meal after.

National Football Museum

Museums

Jmstrvling2001

I really enjoyed the interactive football games they had and there weee many floors filled with things to do. one bonus was that when you buy a ticket you get emailed a barcode and you can come back anytime within 1 year

Gay Village

madalinamaria10

Best place to drink cheap, but tasty drinks and be entertained by drag queens. Good music and usually quiet, peaceful company.

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Time:	Jun 2, 2025 (UTC+1)
Location:	Waterstones

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Stock Exchange Hotel, Manchester, Autograph Collection

The Edwardian Manchester, A Radisson Collection Hotel

Etihad Stadium

Chinatown

Hotel Gotham

The Lowry Hotel Manchester

The University of Manchester

National Football Museum

Gay Village

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