Manchester

Complete, detailed guide on how to reach the Manchester Life in the UK Test Centre 🇬🇧 — including exact address 📍, how to travel there by car 🚗, train 🚆, tram 🚊, and bus 🚌, parking 🅿️ and how to pay, how to locate the building 🏢, and a Quick Summary (Easy Checklist) at the end 👇.

📍 Life in the UK Test Centre – Manchester

📌 Centre Name: PSI Manchester – Life in the UK Test Centre
🏢 Address:
Boulton House, 6th Floor,
17–21 Chorlton Street,
Manchester, M1 3HY, UK 🇬🇧
➡️ The test area is on the 6th floor of Boulton House — a large red‑brick building opposite National Express.

📞 Test Helpline:
Official Life in the UK test support: 0800 015 4245 (Mon–Fri, usually morning to late afternoon).

🗓️ Typical Opening Hours:
Most weekdays roughly 08:00 – 20:00 (varies by centre; booking confirmation will show exact slot).

✔️ Facilities:

• Wheelchair access ♿

• Guide dog friendly 🐶

• Lifts/elevators available ⬆️ 

🚗 1. By Car (Driving & Parking 🚗)

🛣️ Driving Directions

Manchester city centre is served by the M60 Ring Road — take whichever exit brings you toward central Manchester and follow signs toward Chorlton Street / A6 into the city core. Boulton House sits just south‑east of the main centre.

🔍 Enter M1 3HY in your satnav or map app for precise directions to Boulton House. 

🅿️ Parking 🅿️

🚗 Recommended Car Park: 13 Bloom Street Car Park
📍 Located just behind Boulton House — easy walking distance.
💷 Typical fee: ~£4.50 for 2 hours (good for test duration).
✔️ Pay by cash or PayByPhone service line on site.
🙋🏽‍♂️ This option is often more cost‑effective than others nearby. 

📍 Chorlton Street Multi‑Storey Car Park

• Across the road from the test centre.

• Charges around £3.45 per hour — pricier if your test runs longer. 

🅿️ On‑Street Parking (limited) is available on Major Street but spaces fill quickly — best as a last resort. 

💡 Tips:
✔️ Arrive about 30 min before your test slot if driving — parking in central Manchester fills fast.
✔️ Always check signs for restrictions and exact pay methods at each location.

🚆 2. By Train (Rail Travel 🚆)

🚉 Nearest Station: Manchester Piccadilly
📍 About ~500 m (6–8 min walk) from Boulton House — very convenient.

🥾 Walking Directions from Piccadilly

1. Exit the station towards London Road.

2. Turn left onto London Road and almost immediately right at Fairfield Street.

3. Continue west as the road becomes Chorlton Street.

4. Boulton House will be on your left. 

🚆 Train Tips:
✔️ Manchester Piccadilly has routes from all over the UK — e.g., Liverpool, London, Birmingham, Scotland, etc.
✔️ Check live times via National Rail or train operator apps for up‑to‑date schedules.

🚊 3. By Tram (Metrolink) 🚊

Manchester’s Metrolink is a frequent and reliable tram network across the city and suburbs.

🚏 Closest Stop: St. Peter’s Square tram station
🛤️ Served by the Blue, Purple, and Navy lines. 

🚶 From St. Peter’s Square to Boulton House

1. Head south on Oxford Street toward Portland Street.

2. Turn left onto Portland Street and walk east.

3. After ~350 m, turn right onto Chorlton Street.

4. Boulton House will be ahead. 

🛗 Metrolink trams are frequent — use the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) app or signs at stops to plan your route.

🚌 4. By Bus (Public Transport 🚌)

Manchester has a vast bus network with many routes passing near the test centre.

🚏 Recommended Bus Stops (close walk)

✔️ Chinatown
✔️ Dickinson Street
✔️ Major Street
✔️ Hart Street

🎯 All of these are typically within a few minutes’ walk of Boulton House.

💳 Paying for Buses:
✔️ Most buses accept contactless card/phone tap.
✔️ Some services also allow pre‑purchased tickets via mobile apps.

📍 Use journey planners (e.g., TfGM Journey Planner or Google Maps) to find the best bus route from your start point.

🏢 5. Locating the Test Centre Building 🏢

📍 Boulton House — a distinctive large red‑brick building on Chorlton Street in central Manchester. 

🧭 Tips to Find It

✔️ It’s opposite the National Express building — a good local landmark. 
✔️ Enter through the main entrance at street level.
✔️ Take the lift (elevator) to the 6th floor for the Life in the UK Test reception.
✔️ Follow signs or ask staff to guide you to the test room.

🦽 Accessibility: The building has wheelchair access and guide‑dog facilities.

📝 Tips Before You Travel

✔️ Arrive 15–20 minutes early — for check‑in and ID verification. 
✔️ Bring the same photo ID you used when booking (passport, BRP, etc.) — they must match. (GOV.UK)
✔️ Manchester city centre can be busy at peak times — give extra time for travel, parking, or transit delays.

🧾 Quick Summary (Easy Checklist) ✔️

📍 Test Centre:
PSI Manchester – Boulton House, 6th Floor, 17–21 Chorlton Street, Manchester, M1 3HY 🇬🇧 

🚗 By Car

✔️ Use M1 3HY in satnav 🚗
✔️ 13 Bloom Street Car Park 🅿️ (~£4.50 for 2 hrs)
✔️ Chorlton Street Multi‑Storey 🅿️ (~£3.45/hr)
✔️ On‑street (Major St) available but limited
✔️ Pay by cash/card/PayByPhone 💳

🚆 By Train

✔️ Manchester Piccadilly Station — ~6–8 min walk 🚶
✔️ Walk London Rd → Fairfield St → Chorlton St

🚊 By Tram

✔️ St. Peter’s Square tram stop (~650 m walk) 🚊
✔️ On Blue, Purple, Navy lines

🚌 By Bus

✔️ Alight at Chinatown, Dickinson St, Major St, or Hart St 🚏
✔️ Short walk to venue

🏢 Finding the Centre

✔️ Look for Boulton House sign 🏢
✔️ 6th floor via lift 🛗
✔️ wheelchair & guide‑dog friendly 🐶♿

⏱️ Test Day Tips

✔️ Arrive 15–20 min early ⏱️
✔️ Bring photo ID used to book test 📄