From Wikitravel

West Central Manchester covers the area in central Manchester west of Quay St, Peter St and Oxford St. It covers the locales of Castlefield and St Peter's Fields.

Castlefield is the site of the original Roman settlement Mamucium and has been known as Castlefield since Medieval times. It is the centre of Manchester's canal network and includes the Castlefield Basin, which joins the Rochdale and Bridgewater canals. Very important in industrial times, it became run down in post-war times until it was completely regenerated in the 1990s and designated Britain's first Urban Heritage site. These days it is like a small country oasis in the heart of the city, with regular events and a handful of great pubs around the canals and the neighbouring streets. It is also the only place to see wildlife in Manchester's centre.

Peter's Fields (also known as the Exhibition Quarter) is the home of Manchester's exhibition, conference and concert halls, as well as the almost-deserted Great Northern shopping and entertainment centre and two of the city's most luxurious hotels. It is also home to the Bethan Tower, the tallest building in the UK outside of London and the home to Manchester's Hilton hotel.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

Manchester Deansgate railway station is situated nearby.

[edit] By tram

GMEX Tram station is situated nearby.

[edit][add listing] See

• St John's Gardens, Byrom Street. Su-Sa daylight hours. The site of the former St John's Church has become central Manchester's most beautiful park. Come here in the the summer to see the flowers and bring some bread for the hundreds of birds that make St John's their home.

• Museum of Science and Industry, Lower Byrom Street, 0161 832 2244 (email: varies, see site), [1]. Su-Sa 10AM-5PM. This is a great museum for those interested in our (global) industrial heritage: sited at one end of the world's first passenger railway line, the working cotton weaving machines are particularly worth experiencing; regular demonstrations of their operation are worth catching. There is also the opportunity to explore the city's former sewers (now fully cleaned !) to get an idea of the living (and dying) conditions of Manchester's cotton workers. Most impressive of all is the huge collection of working engines in the Power Hall, powered by steam, gas, water, you name it. Across the road is the Air & Space Hall, containing real examples of Britain's aeronautical history. Free; except for temporary exhibits - prices vary.

• Roman Fort, off Liverpool Road. Not much survives of Manchester's four Roman settlements, but what is left can be seen in the gardens of Castlefield running from Liverpool Road down to Castle Street. The North Gate of the fourth fort on Duke Street has been fully reconstructed, as has the West Wall above the ruined granary.

• ITV Granada Studios, Atherton Street. Closed to public. Granada (now ITV Granada) - the producers of the UK's longest-running and most popular TV show Coronation Street - used to operate a theme park and studio tour with an entrance on Water Street. This attraction, which included a tour of the real Coronation Street set, sadly closed down in 1999 and there is now no general public access to the studios. A common hobby for Corrie enthusiasts, however, is to stand around the Atherton Street car park entrance in the hope that they will catch one of the stars for an autograph.

• G-MEX, Windmill Street, 0161 834 2700 (fax: 0161 832 3621), [2]. Open only during events. The G-MEX was once Manchester Central railway station, and it carries the air of many of the grand stations in London with its enormous arched steel frame and giant railway clock. These days it is home to Manchester's largest exhibitions and fairs. Attached is the much newer and thoroughly unimpressive International Conference Centre. Price varies with event.

• Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, 0161 950 0000 (email: admin@bridgewater-hall.co.uk; fax: 0161 950 0001), [3]. M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 12noon-6PM. Manchester's main classical music venue is a stunning musically-inspired building dating from 1996. It is home to the world-famous Hallé orchestra and boasts an enormous 5500-pipe organ across the whole of one wall. The building is also home to a café and restaurant. Free entry to building.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Sit back and relax with a cool pint at one of the many pubs in Castlefield.

• AMC Great Northern, 253 Deansgate, Unit 2 The Great Northern, Manchester, M3 4EN, ☎ 08707 55 56 57, [4]. 16 screen cinema multiplex. Shows the usual Hollywood movies. £3.20 student (with NUS card), £4 adults.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Most bars in Castlefield provide bar meals.

• Dukes 92, [5]. Famous for its huge cheese and pate boards, plus they serve a selection of pizzas late into the night. edit

• Alberts Shed, [6]. Recently built restaurant which offers mid-priced modern Italian cuisine edit

• Choice, [7]. An award winning restaurant housed within a converted red brick warehouse. It serves a menu of modern British food, along with a good selection of wines. edit

• Deansgate Hot Food Bar. For breakfast, nothing beats this. Situated next to Deansgate station, it's a cheap and friendly authentic greasy spoon. edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Castlefield bars are extremely popular during the summer months when tourists, local residents and city centre workers flock to the area to enjoy the large outdoor drinking areas and views across the Bridgewater Canal.

• Choice. Although primarily a restaurant, has a good selection of wines and is an ideal choice if you want to escape the crowds. edit

• Dukes 92, [8]. By far the most popular venue in Castlefield, Dukes 92 boasts an unusual but successful mix of antique furniture, modern deep leather sofas and minimalist décor. Although relatively quiet in winter, it is hugely popular on hot summer days due to its large patio area overlooking lock number 92 of the Rochdale Canal. An outside bar has recently been installed in an attempt to reduce what can be a lengthy wait for refreshment. edit

• The Knott Bar. A quirky modern take on the traditional boozer. Housed within a railway arch it is popular amongst real ale fans but also serves a good selection of bottled and draught ciders and lagers. It boasts a great jukebox and a sheltered balcony overlooking Deansgate and Beetham Tower. edit

• Lava Bar, [9]. Across the canal from Dukes and next door to the Key 103 radio station, Lava Bar is a small and friendly bar which also boasts an outdoor drinking area. edit

• The Ox, [10]. Away from the Castlefield basin on Liverpool Road you will find The Ox. Popular with the stars from Coronation Street due to its close proximity to the set, this lively gastro pub has the distinction of being the only pub in the country to be named after a potato - the Ox Noble. edit

• White Lion. A traditional boozer of little note, although it does feature on its walls an interesting aerial photograph of pre-developed Castlefield. edit

The Deansgate Locks are a bunch of bars and clubs alongside a set of locks:

• The Comedy Store, ☎ 08705 932 932, [11]. From free to £15.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Castlefield Youth Hostel, [12]. Boasting views across the canal, this YHA hostel offers no frills accommodation with easy access to Castlefield and the city centre.  edit

• Castlefield Hotel, [13]. Mid priced 3 star hotel edit

• Hilton International, Beetham Tower, [14]. For a memorable stay in Manchester you may wish to consider the recently opened 5 star Hilton housed within the Beetham Tower, offering amazing views over Castlefield, Manchester and beyond. edit

• The Ox, Liverpool Road, [15]. A friendly welcome and a small number of reasonably priced rooms. edit

[edit] Contact

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