Exploring Castlefield, the Amazing Historic District of Manchester
The Castlefield District is a historic waterfront area of Canals, bridges, bars, hotels, apartment buildings, a Roman Fort, and a Grade II Listed Victorian viaduct. That’s right, the famous waterside Castlefield district has a lot going for it and it has become the most up-and-coming district in Manchester. Castlefield is popular with students, tourists, and locals alike and it is one of the best places to visit in Manchester. The traditional riverside architecture, cool industrial atmosphere, and some peace and quiet make it an awesome place to hang out.
Industrial buildings along the canal in the Castlefield District
Historic Sights in Castlefield
Castlefield was formally declared a conservation area in 1980, and given its attributes of having both a Roman fort and a Victorian Viaduct in one place it’s understandable why this area was given this status.
Castlefield’s roman fort, also known as the Mamucium was originally built in 79 AD. The ancient fort was later rebuilt several times by the Romans. The Fort was designed to protect certain roads which were deemed advantageous routes leading to nearby cities. The Mamucium is an interesting sight even today and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re into history. This ancient roman fort is free to visit which is great. The Mamucium is by no means the largest Roman Fort, it is a piece of ancient history that is still standing in modern Manchester.
View from underneath the Victorian Viaduct along the Castlefield waterways
The Victorian Viaduct is a Grade II listed structure and was constructed in 1892 by Heenan and Froude. This amazing structure stretches 330 meters long and was previously used to carry rail traffic in and out of the Great Northern Warehouse. As of March 2022 the Victorian Viaduct has undergone a project put together by the National Trust. The project was designed to turn the Viaduct into a sky park. The idea of using an urban space like this and turning it into something more natural is becoming more common in big cities. Although I have not visited the sky park yet, this seems like a cool place to visit and a great way to see some nature in this industrial area.
Castlefield Photography
The beautiful waterways of the Castlefield district have access to the River Irwell, and with so many structures, buildings, and boats this place is a Photographers’ dream. The canals complement the British industrial architecture, making this place even more picturesque at night. This has to be the number one place to take photos in Manchester, there are so many ways to photograph the Castlefield district.
Castlefield evening view in Manchester
All the amazing buildings, bridges, and waterways will keep any photographer occupied for the day. Out of all the places I had visited in Manchester, I kept wanting to come back here to photograph the unique waterways and bridges. I also really enjoyed shooting during the early morning golden hour and evening blue hour in the Castlefield district.
Restaurants and bars in Castlefield
Castlefield is Located within walking distance of Deansgate train station and it is around a half an hour walk to the city center. The area’s prime location means that the options for restaurants and bars here are excellent. One of the best restaurants in the area is Dukes 92 with a beautiful riverside location in the heart of Castlefield. The Wharf is another very popular pub that serves great food.
Places to stay in Castlefield
There are a ton of amazing hotels and modern apartment buildings in Castlefield. Many of the hotels and apartment buildings have kept their historic traditional architecture. I chose to stay in the Castlefield Hotel which was one of the historic traditional buildings along the canal. This was an awesome experience as it meant I could wake up to this amazing area and easily navigate the waterways of the Castlefield district before breakfast.
Other hotels like the Yha Hotel and The Hilton Hotel in Deansgate are great options as they are both just a short walk from the waterway. There are also many other more budget-friendly options in the area, and depending on the time of year you might even be able to stay in one of the more luxury hotels at a lower price so be sure to look around.
River view of an old bridge reflecting in the water in the Castlefield District
Castlefield isn’t a cheap area to live in, but it is a very quiet and peaceful area when you compare it to the busy city center of Manchester. With plenty to do and beautiful views, the Castlefield district is likely one of the best areas in Manchester to live.
Castlefield is constantly evolving, and for that reason, it is the most up-and-coming area in Manchester. The area has become highly sought after due to its amazing location and beautiful waterways. In my experience, this was my favorite place I had visited on my 3 days in the city, and I was happy to spend much of my time walking these ancient canals.