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Manchester, United Kingdom
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Castlefield-Petersfield covers the area in central Manchester west of Quay St, Peter St, and Oxford St. It covers the locales of Castlefield and Petersfield (also known as St Peter's Fields), which are within the Historic County Boundaries of Lancashire.
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The site of the former St. John's Church has become central Manchester's most beautiful park. Come here in the summer to see the flowers and bring some bread for the hundreds of birds that make St. John's their home.
This is a great museum for those interested in technology and industrial heritage: sited at one end of the world's first passenger railway line. The working cotton weaving machines are particularly worth experiencing. Catch one of their regular demonstrations of their operation. There is also the opportunity to explore the city's former sewers (now fully cleaned!) to get an idea of the living (and dying) conditions of Manchester's cotton workers. Most impressive of all is the huge collection of working engines in the Power Hall (closed until 2024), powered by steam, gas, water, you name it. The museum also hosts the first steam train (and with it, the first ever vehicle to run faster than a horse), as well as the first programmable computer with a cathode ray tube memory.
Mamucium, Mancunium
Not much survives of Manchester's four Roman settlements, but what is left can be seen in the gardens of Castlefield running from Liverpool Road down to Castle Street. The North Gate of the fourth fort on Duke Street, along with a section of the fort's West Wall, its gatehouse, granaries, and other ancillary buildings from the vicus have been reconstructed and are open to the public.
Manchester Central (formerly "G-MEX") was once Manchester Central railway station and it carries the air of many of the grand stations in London with its enormous arched steel frame and giant railway clock. These days it is home to Manchester's largest exhibitions and fairs. Attached is the much newer and thoroughly unimpressive International Conference Centre.
Manchester's main classical music venue is a stunning musically-inspired building dating from 1996. It is home to the world-famous Hallé orchestra and boasts an enormous 5500-pipe organ across the whole of one wall. The building is also home to a cafe and restaurant.
Look up and marvel at the massive Victorian structure which carries the metrolink trams and trains over the canals.
Victorian railway viaduct transformed into a 'sky park' Advance booking essential. Check website. Open on an experimental basis until summer 2023.
A small commercial gallery in a former beer warehouse, specialising in local contemporary art with changing exhibitions.
Famous for its huge cheese and paté boards. Plus, they serve a selection of pizzas late into the night.
Restaurant which offers mid-priced modern Italian cuisine.
Situated next to Deansgate station, it's a cheap and friendly authentic greasy spoon.
Greek, Spanish and Italian-influenced Mediterranean cuisine set in a beautiful high end location of the city centre.
A taverna with live acts as well as underground seating in a plush environment. Food and drink is competitively priced but well worth the money for the spectacular quality and authenticity of the food and dining experience as a whole.
By far the most popular venue in Castlefield, Dukes 92 has an unusual, but successful, mix of antique furniture, modern deep leather sofas, and minimalist décor. Although relatively quiet in winter, it is hugely popular on hot summer days due to its large patio area overlooking lock number 92 of the Rochdale Canal. An outside bar has been installed to reduce what can be a lengthy wait for refreshment.
Away from the Castlefield basin on Liverpool Road you will find The Oxnoble. It has the distinction of being the only pub in the country to be named after a potato - the Ox Noble.
Modernised traditional pub, although it does feature on its walls an interesting aerial photograph of pre-developed Castlefield. Soundtrack of soul and funk with congenial staff set it apart from the others.
Excellent choice of food & drink. On-line bookings from website.
Bar run by the Vocation brewery featuring a large choice of craft beers with a shared food space. Also Cocktail & wine bar. Coffee is available.
Behind the stage door entrance of the Bridgewater Hall. It is here where many a poor mug "took The King's Shilling" and found himself press-ganged into the army. Largest selection of whisky in the city.
Spectacular green tiled exterior and traditional room layout form this very traditional pub. Real Ales available.
Boasting views across the canal, this no frills hostel is centrally located with easy access to Castlefield and the city centre. It offers a game room, TV, cafe and restaurant, guest kitchen, laundry, internet access, and parking facilities.
City centre location. Modern, comfortable bedrooms.
Castlefield's hidden gem. Mid-priced three star hotel with the best leisure facilities in the city centre, including an 18-m heated pool, sauna, gym and steam rooms. The hotel offers free WiFi and has parking available for an extra charge.
A friendly welcome and a few reasonably priced rooms.
A five-star Hilton housed within the Beetham Tower that offers amazing views over Castlefield, Manchester and beyond.
Manchester's only grand old hotel, The Midland is a red brick hotel off St Peter's Square in the heart of the city. Luxurious as it is impressive, this is the hotel in which Rolls met Royce.
Deansgate is the closest railway station to Castlefield though not all trains stop there.
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Manchester, Greater Manchester · International · MAN
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