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Canal basin
Castlefield Canal Basin
Canal basin at the Manchester end of the Bridgewater Canal, surrounded by warehouses, footbridges and railway viaducts.
A mini guide to
Castlefield & the Canals
Roman fort, canal basin and railway firsts, in the city's urban heritage park
Photos
1 / 7Welcome to the area
Roman fort, canal basin and railway firsts, in the city's urban heritage park
Castlefield is a conservation area bounded by the River Irwell, Quay Street, Deansgate and Chester Road. It was the site of the Roman fort of Mamucium, which gave Manchester its name, and it is where the Bridgewater Canal meets the city. It became the United Kingdom's first designated urban heritage park in 1982.
Brick warehouses, iron bridges and two railway viaducts surround the canal basin. The Science and Industry Museum includes Liverpool Road Station, the world's oldest surviving terminal railway station, and a reconstructed section of the Roman fort stands nearby. Towpaths and canalside bars make it an easy place to walk and pause.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Museum
Science and Industry Museum
Museum of science, technology and industry that includes the former Liverpool Road railway station.
Directions Website Report a problem with Science and Industry Museum
Historic railway station
Liverpool Road Station
Grade I listed terminus of the 1830 Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's oldest surviving terminal station and now part of the museum.
Roman site
Roman fort (Mamucium)
Reconstructed gateway and fort walls on the site of the Roman fort founded around AD 79, from which Manchester takes its name.
Viaduct
Castlefield Viaduct
Railway viaduct built in 1893, on part of which the National Trust has created a garden.
Directions Website Report a problem with Castlefield Viaduct
Footbridge
Merchant's Bridge
Footbridge with a 40-meter steel arch span, built from Slate Wharf to Catalan Square and designed by Whitby Bird.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Castlefield & the Canals and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Walk the basin
Paths run along the Bridgewater and Rochdale canals. Follow the water from the basin toward Deansgate for the warehouses and bridges.
2
Combine museum and fort
The Science and Industry Museum and the reconstructed Roman fort are a few minutes apart on Liverpool Road.
3
Check events at the Bowl
Castlefield Bowl hosts music events and food festivals, which can fill the basin area. Look at the venue's listings before a summer visit.
4
Viaduct garden
The National Trust has created a garden on part of Castlefield Viaduct. Check its website for opening details and any works before you plan a visit.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Castlefield & the Canals (area photo): Ridiculopathy, CC0, source
- Castlefield Canal Basin: habiloid, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Science and Industry Museum: Science Museum Group, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Liverpool Road Station: The original uploader was Pit-yacker at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Roman fort (Mamucium): Maarten, CC BY 2.0, source
- Castlefield Viaduct: Gerald England, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Merchant's Bridge: Ridiculopathy, CC0, source
- Castlefield Bowl: Gerald England, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Castlefield Gallery: Marnanel, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Beetham Tower: Philip Stewart from Manchester, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Aviva Studios: Alex Mannion-Jones, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Bridgewater Hall: Alan Stanton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Manchester Central: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St John's Gardens: Simon Cobb, CC0, source
- Piccadilly, Chinatown & the Village: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Ancoats & New Islington: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Salford Quays & MediaCity: Rosser1954, CC BY 4.0, 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
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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