|
Salford Quays and The Quays area.
Salford Quays and The Quays area is an extremely popular residential, retail, sports and entertainment area within easy reach of Manchester city centre. The Quays area includes a variety of venues on and around the former Manchester Ship Canal. All of this is located only a few miles outside of Central Manchester in Salford and the Trafford Park area. At its core lies Salford Quays, a breath-taking series of developments. Commercial office blocks and restaurants are located next to upmarket apartment block complexes. However, The Quays area, of which Salfod Quays is a part, includes two world famous sports venues, The area is dominated by Manchester United Football Club and Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club. One of the most popular places in the area is The Lowry Outlet Mall which is a shopping mall and cinema venue. Next to the Lowry Outlet Mall is the Lowry Theatre and Gallery. This is a large theatre venue and the building is home to an impressive gallery that includes the works of Salford's greatest known artist, LS Lowry. Salford Quays, is located on the quayside at what was the docks at the Manchester end of the Manchester Ship Canal. The canal ran from the centre of Manchester through to Liverpool and the Irish Sea. It was built to accommodate the largest ocean going ships. This meant that, despite being inland, the Canal made Manchester into one of the country's most important ports. The combination of a world class textile industry and sea port status made a vital contribution to the wealth and prosperity of the City of Manchester, the City of Salford and the towns and villages across what is now the Greater Manchester area. Economic changes had a devastating effect on the Port. The area fell into disuse and it became clear that a new use had to be found for the docks. So in the 1980s the area was renamed Salford Quays as it took on a new role, first as an area of residential development and then retail and leisure facilities were added. The dockside warehouses and cranes are gone and Salford Quays is now home to a wide range of modern leisure and retail developments that are enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people every year. The dockside location gives the complex a bright, airy and relaxed feel despite being so close to the hustle and bustle of central Manchester. Salford Quays is growing in importance with new residential and commercial development taking place. A new development called MediaCityUK is being built, designed to be a purpose-built home for creative and digital businesses. In 2011 parts of the BBC will be relocated to Media City UK. The University of Salford will locate one of its campuses to MediaCity UK in order to take advantage of the facilities there. MediaCityUK is expected to increase the importance of Salford Quays and The Quays area even more.
The Quays area, which includes Salford Quays and the surrounding area, offers many great things to see and do. These include:-
The Lowry - a gallery and theatre complex which is home to artwork by the world famous Salford artist, LS Lowry
The Lowry Outlet Mall - Home to over 90 shops, restaurants and bars as well as a cinema.
Salford Watersports Centre
Ordsall Hall Museum - an excellent example of a Tudor Manor house, closed for refurbishment until 2011 Ordsall Hall Museum, Ordsall Lane, Salford, M5 3AN
Imperial War Museum North - the Northern branch of the UKs war museum housed in the visually striking building designed by internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind
Old Trafford Cricket Ground - the world famous home of the Lancashire County Cricket Club
Manchester United Football Club - Home of Manchester United football team. Venue includes a museum and stadium tour. Manchester Ship Canal Cruises , (April to October, only) The ferry departs from Central Bay in Salford Quays, adjacent to The Lowry and Lowry Outlet Mall and sails to Liverpool. Includes return journey by bus. The area is well served by public transport and the Salford Quays Metrolink Station, on the Eccles line, serves the Salford Quays area. A number of hotels are located around Salford Quays and The Quays area.
|