Sprawling north-west of Manchester, Salford is a lively city home to the first English street to be lit by gas. It flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cotton and silk manufacturing town before undergoing a significant regeneration to become a cultural and entertainment hub along the Manchester Ship Canal.
Things to do in Salford
For a retail fix, head to Quayside MediaCityUK, an outlet mall packed with discount stores of big-name brands. You can shop for the latest fashions at Daniel Christian and Pussycat London or stock up on books and stationery at The Works. On the first floor is a food court where you’ll find plenty of fast-food eateries, including Harry Ramsden’s and Chicken Cottage.
Directly across the Manchester Ship Canal is the Imperial War Museum North, which occupies a striking building designed by the Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind. Its exhibits detail the impacts of modern conflicts, with everything from Russian tanks to World War I field guns on display. Audiovisual presentations are projected onto the gallery walls every hour, helping to bring the history to life.
Fans of L.S. Lowry can visit The Lowry Manchester, which comprises two theatres where theatrical plays and ballets are staged. It also houses around 400 works by the English painter, who was known for its industrial depictions of North West England. Coincide your visit with The Lowry’s bi-annual Week 53 Festival, which features music, dance and theatre performances.
Getting around Salford
Salford is around 10 minutes' drive from the centre of Manchester and 20 minutes from Manchester Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Salford Central and Salford Crescent railway stations while a network of buses travels throughout the city.