Manchester Velodrome

The Manchester Velodrome (part of the National Cycling Centre) is located in Manchester, Lancashire. It’s widely known as the “Medal Factory” because it’s where Team GB’s elite cyclists train, so you’re basically walking into a hub of world-class sporting energy.

What to expect
This isn’t really a place where you just wander around to “see” things—it’s very much a “do” venue. The main draw is the Olympic-standard indoor wooden track. If you’ve ever watched track cycling on TV and thought it looked steep, seeing it in person is a genuine “wow” moment; those banks are incredibly high and daunting.

Who will enjoy it?

• Adults & Teens: This is the primary audience. It’s perfect for anyone with a bit of a competitive streak or a love for fitness. Most teenagers will find the speed and intensity of the track sessions exciting rather than boring.
• Children: There are “taster” sessions available, but there is a strict minimum age of 9 years for the indoor track. They also have to meet a minimum height requirement of 127cm (4ft 2in) to ensure they can safely handle the specialized fixed-gear bikes.
• Young Kids: Honestly, there isn’t much here for the little ones. Any “play” areas are very minor add-ons. Unless they are there to watch a sibling or parent, younger children will likely get restless quickly.

The Experience

• Hands-on: You can book a one-hour Taster Session. They provide the bike and the helmet. You’ll start on the flat safety zone and, if you’re brave enough, work your way up the banking.
• Supervision: This is a high-intensity environment. Coaches lead the sessions, so while it’s “hands-on” for the participants, parents can watch from the stands. However, because of the speeds involved, it’s definitely not a “leave the kids and go for a coffee” situation if they are the ones riding.
• Spectating: If there’s a major event on, it’s a fantastic atmosphere. On a normal day, you can often just pop into the cafe and watch people training on the track for free, which is interesting for about 20 minutes if you aren’t riding yourself.

Planning your time
A typical taster session lasts one hour, but by the time you kit up and debrief, you’ll be there for about 90 minutes to 2 hours. If you are just visiting to look at the track from the viewing area, you likely won’t stay longer than half an hour.

Practicalities & Nearby

• Discounts: Look out for concessionary rates for juniors and seniors. If you live locally, there are often discounts for residents or those with specific leisure cards.
• Parking & Food: There is a large car park on-site which is generally straightforward. There’s a basic cafe inside for snacks and coffee, but for a proper meal, you’re better off heading nearby.
• Make a day of it: It’s located right next to Sportcity. You can easily combine this with a tour of the Etihad Stadium (Manchester City’s ground) which is just a short walk away. For shopping and more “standard” family entertainment like the cinema or a huge food court, the Manchester Fort Shopping Park or the city centre are a quick drive or tram ride away.