English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
Waterfront
Salford Quays
Former Manchester Docks near the end of the Manchester Ship Canal, now a waterfront of basins, walkways and apartments.
A mini guide to
Salford Quays & MediaCity
Docklands arts, museums and media city, in Salford (a separate city from Manchester)
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
Docklands arts, museums and media city, in Salford (a separate city from Manchester)
Salford Quays is not in Manchester. It lies in Salford, a separate city with its own council, on the north bank of the Manchester Ship Canal where the old Manchester Docks once stood. Across the water, Trafford is a different borough again: the Imperial War Museum North and Old Trafford stadium are on the Trafford side, and MediaCityUK straddles the border.
The Lowry theatre and gallery, opened in 2000, is the main cultural landmark, with a footbridge linking it to the Trafford bank. MediaCityUK has media organisations and the Quayside shopping centre, and the Metrolink tram connects the area with the city centre.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Theatre and gallery
The Lowry
Theatre and gallery complex at Salford Quays, named after the painter L. S. Lowry and opened in 2000.
Museum
Imperial War Museum North
Museum exploring the impact of modern conflict, on the Trafford side of the Manchester Ship Canal.
Directions Website Report a problem with Imperial War Museum North
Media district
MediaCityUK
Waterside development on the Ship Canal in Salford and Trafford, home to media organisations and the Quayside shopping centre.
Bridge
Media City Footbridge
Cable-stayed swing footbridge over the Manchester Ship Canal near MediaCityUK, completed in 2011.
Bridge
Salford Quays Lift Bridge
Pedestrian vertical-lift bridge of 2000 beside The Lowry, linking Salford and Trafford across the Ship Canal.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Salford Quays & MediaCity and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Know your boroughs
Salford Quays is in Salford. The Imperial War Museum North, Old Trafford and the O2 Victoria Warehouse are in Trafford, across the Ship Canal.
2
Check for tram works
Metrolink periodically closes parts of its network for engineering works, including routes to the Quays. Look at the Bee Network app or TfGM's site before you travel.
3
Cross the footbridge
The Salford Quays lift bridge beside The Lowry links Salford with the Trafford bank and the Imperial War Museum North.
4
Football tours
Manchester United list museum and stadium tours for Old Trafford on the club's official website, and tours are not offered on home match days, according to the club.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Salford Quays & MediaCity
Manchester
More areas to explore
12 sights · 15 places to eat
Oxford Road & Rusholme
Universities, galleries and the Curry Mile along one long road south of the centre
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 18 places to eat
Chorlton & Didsbury
Two southern villages with parks, riverside walks and plenty of places to eat
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 18 places to eat
Altrincham & Sale
Market town, canal towpaths and country-house parkland south-west of the city
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Salford Quays & MediaCity (area photo): Rosser1954, CC BY 4.0, source
- Salford Quays: Frombowen, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Lowry: Bernard Randall, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Imperial War Museum North: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- MediaCityUK: Briangeorge1945, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Media City Footbridge: Parrot of Doom, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Salford Quays Lift Bridge: The original uploader was Dpaajones at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ordsall Hall: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Old Trafford: Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, source
- Salford Museum and Art Gallery: Richard Rogerson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- O2 Victoria Warehouse: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Manchester Ship Canal: John Eyres, CC BY 2.0, source
- Old Trafford Cricket Ground: Parrot of Doom, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Weaste Cemetery: Plucas58, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Salford Watersports Centre: Bryn Holmes, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Oxford Road & Rusholme: DrPhoenix, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chorlton & Didsbury: Wikidwitch, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Altrincham & Sale: Parrot of Doom, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Northern Quarter & Cathedral: Anthony Parkes, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Spinningfields & Deansgate: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Castlefield & the Canals: Ridiculopathy, CC0, source
- Piccadilly, Chinatown & the Village: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Ancoats & New Islington: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Manchester