Located on the banks of the river in the Mersey Valley, Sale is a town in Greater Manchester, England, with a population of 134,000 people. Sale is only 8.4 kilometres from the cosmopolitan centre of Manchester, making it a popular commuter town for those working in the city. The town has its local attractions as well as those of neighbouring cities and holds an interesting history tied up in its waterside location.
For over 100 years, Sale Park has been a central place of community activity, with a bandstand, a skate ramp, and play areas, not far from Walton Park, which has a miniature railway system. Another green space is Sale Water Park, where there is a large artificial lake used for watersports and fishing and, inside the park, there is also a local nature reserve home to protected migratory birds. Waterside Arts Centre is the cultural hub of Sale, featuring a library, a theatre, two galleries and an exhibition space called The Centre, frequently used to host performers and comedians. Visitors can shop at the Square Shopping Centre, a modern high street selling favourite fashion brands and labels, or relax in any of the numerous cafes and restaurants.
Since Sale connected to the Metrolink Tram system, it is easier than ever to access Greater Manchester, with direct train routes to the central station of Piccadilly taking only thirty minutes. The drive from the city is similarly easy, straight down the A56 road. Visitors flying into Manchester Airport can journey to sale in 45 minutes by public transport and less than 20 minutes by car.
Historians know that the timeline of Sale dates back to the Stone Age because locals have found evidence of ancient civilisation, including a flint arrowhead discovered in the area. The town was also part of the Roman Empire, proven by a hoard of Roman coins uncovered from the 4th century, and a long Roman road that still connects Sale to the city of Manchester today. More recently, the construction of the Bridgewater Canal in 1765 enhanced the growth of the town and expanded the weaving industry of the area.