a&o Hostels Manchester is a central, modern and affordable place for school groups to stay in the heart of Manchester. Most important sights, museums, key educational attractions, and cultural sites within walking distance for your students of all ages. Your school groups will be able to fully immerse in the vibrant atmosphere of this lovely town. The hostel offers full catering options (Group sizes up to 300).
North West
a&o Manchester City Centre 21 Dickinson Street, Manchester, M1 4LX
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPs
Listed under: accommodation| Accommodation & Residential| Hostels| Residential School Trips| Reward Trip| Team Building|
What does your accommodation offer for school trips
a&o Hostels Manchester City Centre is ideal for school trips, offering safe, affordable, and group-friendly accommodation in a central location. We provide flexible room options for students and staff, 24-hour reception and security, group booking rates, breakfast and catering options, and communal spaces for meetings or downtime. With free Wi-Fi and easy access to Manchester’s main attractions and public transport, we ensure a convenient and stress-free stay for school groups.
What makes you a great group accommodation choice for a school trip or educational visit
The location provides easy access to key educational attractions, museums, and cultural sites across Manchester, along with excellent public transport links, making it a convenient and practical base for group travel.
On site activities
On-site, educational groups can use communal lounges and social spaces for group activities, workshops, and meetings, along with dining areas for organised meals.
Group sizes
We can accommodate both small and large school groups, typically ranging from around 10 students up to 300+ guests depending on availability and booking requirements. We also have flexibility to allocate rooming for accompanying staff and can tailor arrangements for different group sizes to ensure comfort, supervision, and smooth organisation throughout the stay.
Room types, sizes
Accommodation is typically provided in modern multi-bed dorm-style rooms, with a mix of room sizes depending on the group and availability (for example 3–6 bed rooms). All rooms are en-suite, with private bathrooms including shower and toilet facilities. Staff are always accommodated in separate private rooms where possible to ensure appropriate supervision and comfort.
Risk assessment
We support group leaders by providing relevant safety information to assist with their own trip planning and risk assessments. This includes details on the accommodation layout, emergency procedures, fire safety systems, 24-hour staffed reception, secure key-card access, and safeguarding measures.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
Ask for permission at reception.
Booking info
School and group bookings for a&o Hostels Manchester are handled by our central group reservations team. You can contact them through groups@aohostels.com
They will be able to assist with availability, pricing, booking details, and any specific requirements for school or educational groups.
Pricing
Costs vary depending on factors such as travel dates (seasonality), group size, length of stay, and room type (e.g. multi-bed dorms or private rooms for staff). School groups benefit from dedicated group rates, and offers can include advantages such as one free bed per 21 guests traveling and optional add-ons like packed lunch or half-board catering. All pricing is provided on a per-group quotation basis through our reservations team to ensure the most suitable and cost-effective arrangement for each visit. Breakfast is included free of charge for all groups over 10 people.
First Aid
a&o Hostels Manchester has trained manager staff on-site who are able to respond to first aid situations, and there are clear emergency procedures in place to ensure guest safety at all times. Staff are available 24/7 at reception and can assist in contacting emergency services if needed, and in more serious cases, an ambulance can be called immediately. Basic first aid provisions are available on site as part of our standard health and safety arrangements for guests and groups, including school parties.
Available facilities
Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building
24-hour reception and security presence
Communal lounge areas and group social spaces
Breakfast buffet and catering options (lunch packs and dinner available)
Bar and snack service open 24/7
Games and entertainment areas (e.g. pool table, table football, karaoke)
Luggage storage and secure lockers
Meeting rooms / group spaces (subject to availability)
Kids’ corner / family-friendly spaces
Catering options
All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet with hot and cold options, drinks, and dietary choices available
Packed lunches (to-go) for day trips and excursions, including a sandwich, fruit, snack bar, and drink
Lunch and dinner buffets for groups, typically offering salad, a main course (with vegetarian option), dessert, and a non-alcoholic drink
Half-board and full-board options for groups booking meals in advance
Seasonal BBQ options (where available and weather permitting) for group dining experiences
Catering for meetings and events, including snacks, finger food, and hot and cold beverages
Dietary accommodation, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, and other requirements with prior notice
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
At a&o Hostels Manchester, accessibility and disabled facilities include step-free access to main areas where available, lift access to upper floors, and accessible rooms in some categories with features such as wider doorways and adapted bathrooms (e.g. walk-in showers and grab rails, subject to availability). Public areas like reception, dining spaces, and lounges are generally accessible, and staff are available 24/7 to assist guests with additional needs. We recommend contacting us in advance so we can confirm specific room types and suitability for individual requirements.
Opening times
Reception open 24/7 whole year round
Testimonials
Please find them here
Location information
a&o Hostels Manchester is centrally located, making it an excellent base for school trips and educational visits. The property is within easy reach of key attractions such as Manchester Museum, Science and Industry Museum, and the city centre’s historic and cultural areas. With strong public transport links—including nearby train stations, trams, and bus routes—groups can easily access educational sites, sports venues, and wider areas of the city for field trips and guided tours.




