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Neighborhood · Manchester, Inglaterra
Castlefield
The neighbourhood of canals, locks and 19th-century iron railway viaducts in the southwest of Manchester city centre, with the ruins of the Roman fort Mamucium and the elevated park Castlefield Viaduct.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Castlefield
Castlefield is Manchester's oldest district, in the southwest of the city centre, where the Romans built the fort Mamucium around AD 79, which gave the city its name. Part of the wall and the north gate have been reconstructed on site as an open park. In the 18th century the area hosted the Bridgewater Canal, one of the first industrial canals in England, opened in 1761 to bring coal to the mills, and in the 19th century the iron railway viaducts were built.
The result is a landscape of canals, basins, locks, brick warehouses and iron bridges crossing at several levels, transformed into a leisure area from the 1980s onwards. The warehouses became bars, restaurants and offices, and the canal banks have pedestrian paths. On sunny weekends the riverside bars fill up.
The Castlefield Viaduct, an out-of-use iron railway viaduct from 1892, was turned by the National Trust into an elevated park with gardens and views over the neighbourhood and the tracks; visits usually require a booked time slot. Next door, the Science and Industry Museum occupies the 1830 station.
The area is open and explored on foot, about 10 minutes from Deansgate.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours, covering the Roman fort, the canals and the viaduct.
Best time
In the late afternoon on a dry day, when the waterside bars fill up. The Castlefield Viaduct has its own opening times; check ahead.
How to get there
It lies in the southwest of Manchester city centre, about a 5-minute walk from Deansgate station and the Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop.
Tip
Combine the Science and Industry Museum, the Roman fort and the Castlefield Viaduct on the same outing, finishing at a bar by the canal.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Castlefield
What to see in Castlefield?
The 19th-century canals and viaducts, the reconstructed ruins of the Roman fort Mamucium, and the elevated park Castlefield Viaduct.
Does the Castlefield Viaduct require booking?
Visits usually require a timed booking through the National Trust. Check in advance.
Is Castlefield far from the centre?
No—about a 10-minute walk from Deansgate.