If there’s one thing we’re proud of about Race Across The World: The Experience, it’s hearing all the locals who’ve told us they’ve discovered something new about their city. And that includes you, Manchester!
The experience begins in Stevenson Square, and from that point forth, teams have to unlock Manchester’s secrets and checkpoints by cleverly managing their budget, solving puzzles and making interesting discoveries.
You might think you’ve seen it all, but we promise, there’s always more to discover! Locals, you’ll probably recognise a few of these places, but wait till you find out what they’re hiding…
Here are just 6 unexpected things that you might see during the Race Across The World Experience in Manchester!
A Building That Houses The World’s First Ever National Atlas
Why is that a big deal, you may ask?
Apart from being a Race Across The World staple, maps and atlases are both tools to be reckoned with when given to an explorer like yourself.
This particular atlas was printed in 1579, and what’s especially striking about it is that it’s extremely colourful (and even does a great job of telling you where England and Wales’ worst hills are).
Of course, you don’t need maps to complete the Race Across The World experience in Manchester, but at least you know where to find one if you get the opportunity to time travel.
2. If You’re Lucky…a Famous Face!
We’re lucky that we get to review every single photo submission that teams upload, and nothing makes our day more than seeing you all having a great time on the Race Across The World experience.
But imagine our surprise when we see that not one but TWO teams have managed to stumble across Lewis Capaldi in Manchester city centre!
Obviously, we can’t guarantee that you’ll meet someone famous while on the race, but we can reassure you that we haven’t sent anybody out there to distract you from claiming first place on the leaderboard!
3. A Bag of Tricks Containing a Hat, Cat, Flask and a Spice
If that sounds like a strange riddle, that’s because it sort of is.
Physical puzzles are unique to the city and route you choose to play in Race Across The World: The Experience, and Manchester is no exception.
We can reveal that you get to try your hand at all sorts of problem-solving, involving everything from enigmatic menus to unstamped passports (and yes, a bag containing a very odd assortment of items indeed!).
4. A Statue With Around 100 Brothers
Race Across The World is all about experiencing the world on a local level, wherever you happen to be.
In Race Across The World: The Experience, we want teams to feel as though they are discovering cities for the first time (even if members of those teams have lived in them for a lifetime).
We’re delighted to say that we’ve had a lot of great feedback from locals across Manchester and London telling us that they’ve spotted something new. However, if you are extremely well-travelled, you may have seen one of Manchester’s statues in plenty of other cities across the world, including Toronto, Chicago, Singapore, Sydney and Seoul.
Manchester’s variant was unveiled in 2018.
5. Remnants of What Manchester Looked Like to The Romans
Most people aren’t too familiar with Manchester’s Roman history, but you’ll likely get a chance to explore it during the Race Across The World live experience in Manchester.
Constructed around 79 CE, Manchester’s “Mamucium” occupied a strategic position at the meeting point of the Medlock and Irwell rivers. Originally a fort and civilian settlement, it probably gave its name to the city we know and love today.
And the best part is, this history continues to evolve with us! In July this year (2025), archaeologists discovered a Roman road hiding underneath today’s Liverpool Road, and most incredibly, it didn’t have one pothole in it.
6. A Pub That Once Sold Clothes By Social Status
It’s too hard to pick a favourite from the possible checkpoint venues included on the Race Across The World Manchester Experience, but we’ll give away one of them’s Tudor secrets!
Many people know The Old Wellington: it’s one of Manchester’s oldest buildings and it was famously moved during the 1990s. But when it was built in 1552, it wasn’t destined to be a pub at all. Instead, it was a draper’s shop.
Draper’s shops sold all manner of fabrics so that people could make their own clothes, but during the latter half of the 16th century, the population was held to strict “Sumptuary Laws” that dictated what they could wear according to social status.
Until 1604, “only the King, Queen, King’s Mother, children and brethren” could wear purple, and anybody outside the Royal Family was banned from wearing silk, but you’ll be pleased to hear an exception was made for knights’ wives…
Luckily, those times are long gone and you’re free to wear purple (and any material you like!) during the Race Across The World Experience in Manchester, although we would recommend something waterproof!
Ready to Race?
So there you have it! Those are just 6 unexpected things you might see while playing Race Across The World: The Experience in Manchester.
If you’re ready to race, book your tickets now from Fever if you’re playing in London, or directly from our website if you’re playing in Manchester.
Check out our FAQs for answers to any questions you may have or feel free to contact us. See you on the leaderboard!