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activities at The Quays

Lowry, blue flag water, post-modern architecture, Canadian connections and moving bridges...

Find the connections on a three-mile self-guided walk discovering the history of Salford Quays past and present.

On this brand new heritage walk around The Quays, the industrial history and fascinating story of Britain's largest inland waterway comes to life.

Behind this modern location, which includes The Lowry, Imperial War Museum North and Manchester United Football Club, lies the fascinating history and industrial heritage of its previous life as the bustling Port of Manchester.

At the end of the 19th century, Manchester took the initiative to transform itself into an inland port by building a canal to link the city to the sea. Constructed between 1887 and 1893, the Manchester Ship Canal was an engineering triumph and measured 35½ miles from Eastham on the River Mersey to Woden Street Footbridge beyond Pomona Docks. 16,000 men and boys were involved in the construction - the last great construction project in the western world to use such a large workforce. Queen Victoria officially opened the canal on 21 May 1894, heralding a period of great industrial and commercial expansion in Greater Manchester. Although few physical traces remain, echoes of The Quays' fascinating past can be found within this unique walk.

The circular walk takes approximately 1 hour, but can be split into two routes, which can be explored separately or combined to cover the whole site. The walk is suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users.

This fascinating walk, is one of 3 new heritage walks produced by Salford City Council. The guides and maps for this and the other walks can be purchased at the Tourist Information Centre within The Lowry or by phoning 0161 848 8601. For further information visit, www.visitsalford.info/industrialheritage and discover the truth about The Quays and Salford's industrial past.


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