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The Quays, Greater Manchester

Creative Tourist

The Quays is an area that’s gone from busy industrial dock to culture, media and tech hub within the space of 120 years. Opened by Queen Victoria in 1894, the Salford Docks (as they were then known) became the busiest in the UK, serving the ships that came up the Manchester Ship Canal, a waterway built in order to escape the hefty charges levied by Liverpool’s dock and rail companies. Today, The Quays is home to MediaCityUK (the largest media hub in Europe) and studios purpose-built for the BBC’s move up North in 2011.

Two major cultural institutions – Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry – also straddle the Ship Canal, connected by a pedestrian bridge. The Lowry boasts two theatre, galleries, a studio space, restaurant and shop; IWM North’s fragmented design represents a globe shattered by war (inside, it’s completely devoid of right angles) and houses a beautifully-presented permanent collection and series of changing exhibitions that consider the many ways conflict shapes society. Restaurants (we recommend Pier 8 at The Lowry), bars (try The Botanist) and even high-end supermarkets (the family-run Booths) complete the offer in the area.

With good transport links to the city centre, The Quays is the sort of place where you could happily lose half a day; or some of your sanity, if you choose to complete the ‘dock to dock’ course of the Great Manchester Swim…

Our top picks

Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

Imperial War Museum North (IWM North), Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M17 1TZ - Visit now

Designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind to represent a globe shattered by conflict, IWM North boldly punctuates the Salford Quays waterfront, and houses a permanent collection, special exhibitions and events that explore the many ways in which conflict shapes society.

Find out more
Imperial War Museum North exterior shot - host of story seekers
Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

Unagi Salford Quays

Unagi Salford Quays, Quayside, Unagi, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AH - Visit now

Unagi’s new venue in Salford Quays serves up superb quality sushi and Japanese cuisine.

Find out more

Lowry

Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 3AZ - Visit now

With two theatres, galleries and a studio space, The Lowry combines the performing and visual arts to impressive effect and is loved for both its famous LS Lowry Collection and the dizzying array of productions it hosts year on year.

Find out more
The Lowry Theatre and Gallery in Salford Quays Manchester.
Image courtesy of Visit Britain

Pier Eight at The Lowry

Pier Eight at The Lowry, Pier 8, The Lowry, Salford Quays, Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, M50 3AZ - Visit now

Helmed by the talented head chef Oliver Thomas, The Lowry’s in-house fine dining restaurant is all about fresh produce and bold British flavours.

Find out more
Pan-fried sea bass, chard leek, creamed potato, purple sprouting broccoli, orange butter milk sauce

Coronation Street (Media City)

Coronation Street (Media City), Media City UK, The Studios From Dock 10, Manchester, M50 2EQ - Visit now

Immerse yourself in seven decades of history and drama on the nation’s most famous street, which is new shot at Trafford Wharf in MediaCityUK, where ITV run fully guided tours of the outdoor sets.

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Central Bay

Central Bay, Quayside MediaCity, Salford Quays, M50 2EQ - Visit now

A new, waterfront dining and drinking destination at MediaCity is set to be launched as Central Bay – and will become the first of its kind in Salford and one of the biggest in the region.

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The Empty Space at Footlights House

The Empty Space at Footlights House, 48 Kansas Avenue, Media City, Salford, M50 2GL - Visit now

The Empty Space is an intimate black box theatre space. Situated close to the MediaCityUK studios, with free parking and good transport links, the theatre hosts plays, comedy, musicals, performance poetry, recitals and showcases. An ideal venue to present creative work of all kinds and a party or event space.

Find out more
The Empty Space at Footlights House
Image courtesy of Footlights Theatre.

The Botanist Media City

The Botanist Media City, Media City, Salford, M50 2HE - Visit now

Featuring high-class herbal-infused cocktails and a variety of world cuisine – including those impressive hanging kebabs – The Botonist commands striking views over The Lowry, Imperial War Museum and the reclaimed industrial landscape of the Quays themselves.

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General Store MediaCityUK

General Store MediaCityUK, 2 Blue, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2AD - Visit now

The two-storey General Store MediaCityUK is a one-stop-shop for retail and dining, showcasing some of the North’s best independent food brands, from Nell’s Pizza to The Great North Pie Company, while providing convenience store essentials.

Find out more
General Store MediaCityUK

Ordsall Hall

Ordsall Hall, 322 Ordsall Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 3AN - Visit now

A stone’s throw away from the Quays, Ordsall Hall is a spectacularly-preserved Tudor mansion and museum – one of only eight such houses in Lancashire – and is supposedly haunted by the broken-hearted White Lady.

Find out more
Ordsall Hall
Image courtesy of Ordsall Hall

More The Quays events

The Shark is Broken at The Lowry
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TheatreSalford
The Shark is Broken at Lowry

What better way to mark the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic movie, Jaws, than with a dramatic dive behind the scenes into its creation.

from £20.00
Until we Sleep at The Lowry
DanceThe Quays
Until We Sleep at Lowry

Olivier Award-winning choreographer, Botis Seva brings his latest hip hop dance production, Until We Sleep, to The Lowry this January.

from £18.00
Emilyn Claid: Untitled at The Lowry
DanceMediaCityUK
emilyn claid: Untitled at Lowry

emilyn claid’s intimate and dazzling performance blends movement and theatre to explore ageing, acceptance and transformation.

from £14.00
Wes Peden: Rollercoaster at The Lowry
DanceSalford
Wes Peden: Rollercoaster at Lowry

Expect contemporary plate spinning, epic 3-ball juggling and some of the most difficult juggling ever done on stage in this thrilling circus show produced by Gandini Juggling.

from £18.00
Homecoming at Lowry
DanceSalford
Homecoming at Lowry

Blending storytelling, dynamic choreography and cutting-edge technology, this show can be enjoyed as an immersive live theatre show or via VR. Intrigued? We certainly are.

from £18.00
See all The Quays events

Where to go in Manchester

iStock.com/SimoneN
Deansgate
Hotel
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate

The building’s striking architecture combines classic brickwork with sleek, modern design elements, creating an inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of Manchester’s vibrant energy.

Manchester
Restaurant
Exhibition

Exhibition is an elegant dining hall on Peter Street, home to Jaan and other high-level independent kitchens.

Stow
City Centre
Restaurant
Stow

Stow is a new fire-based restaurant on Bridge Street in Manchester, from the team behind Trof.

Merseyway is built on giant stilts over the river Mersey – hence the name! It was one of the first shopping centres to open in 1965 and was refurbished in 1995. Merseyway are proud of their heritage and their role in continuing to attract visitors to Stockport. They strive to live up to the brand promise “famous brands, fabulously close”.
Manchester
Merseyway Shopping Centre

Merseyway is built on giant stilts over the river Mersey – hence the name! It was one of the first shopping centres to open in 1965 and was refurbished in 1995. Merseyway are proud of their heritage and their role in continuing to attract visitors to Stockport. They strive to live up to the brand promise “famous brands, fabulously close”.

Millington Hall Farm
Altrincham
Event venue
Millington Hall Farm

Millington Hall Farm is a one of a kind destination offering field to fork dining alongside learning experiences that will stay with you long after your visit.

Giant Crab SEA LIFE Manchester
Manchester
Tourist Attraction
SEA LIFE Manchester

Perfect for families, dive into the stories of the oceans’ most fascinating residents, including clownfish, stingrays, sharks and sea turtles.

Off the Square
Manchester
Restaurant
Off The Square

Set in the beating heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Off The Square is state-of-the-art music and events space that plays host to live gigs as well as club nights.

See all places in Manchester

Manchester Visitor Guides

Malmaison Manchester
Boutique Hotels Manchester

Some of the most unique places to stay in Manchester. We pick out the top upscale accommodations with a twist.

Manchester Central Library
UNESCO City of Literature: Manchester

Manchester is the 26th UNESCO City of Literature, joining illustrious alumni from across the globe. Here's our guide to literary landmarks across the city.

Vegan Food in Manchester

Whether you’re a proud vegan or merely curious, let us guide you towards the best vegan food in Manchester for Veganuary.

Manchester Restaurant Deals

Manchester's restaurants are bending over backwards to create deals that take the sting out of eating out. Here are the best of the bunch for January.

UNITOM bookshop
Bookshops in Manchester

Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so of course there are a few go-tos for books. Read our guide to discover the best places to pick them up.

People enjoying drinking in Altrincham
Things to Do in Altrincham

Plan a day out down Altrincham way, and you’ll soon find that one day isn’t nearly enough. Getting there is easy on the tram, or how about cycling along the...

Manchester District Guides

Castlefield, Manchester

The Roman General Julius Agricola founded ‘Mamucium’ in 79AD; the name means ‘breast shaped hill’, as this was what Agricola discovered in Castlefield, where the original settlement was based.
Beech Road Chorlton, Manchester

A laid-back mix of gift shops, independent outfitters, restaurants, pubs and parks, on a sunny weekend afternoon it’s heaving.
The Oast House pub in Spinningfields Manchester.
Spinningfields, Manchester

Spinningfields is Manchester’s realm of glass and steel, where global corporations have their headquarters. It’s also become a real culinary hotspot: you can find modern tapas at Ibérica, innovative Chinese…
Photo of a handwritten label in a cafe that says
Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester

Tis Burton Road is the heart of West Didsbury, a beautifully maintained leafy hubbub of shops, bars and restaurants where independence is paramount. The main strip is home to fifteen…
Deansgate, Manchester

The busy thoroughfare of Deansgate runs through Castlefield, joining the dots between it, Spinningfields and Manchester’s Cathedral Quarter at the opposite end. Deansgate is home to its fair share of…
Medieval Quarter, Manchester

The Medieval Quarter, or Cathedral Quarter as it is sometimes known, is one of the oldest parts of Manchester and home to some historic gems and cultural must-sees.  
City Centre, Manchester

Visit Manchester Town Hall and you’ll spot bees picked out in the mosaics across the lobby floor – once seen, you’ll notice them everywhere. Appearing on benches, council flower pots and…
Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Destination Guides

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.