Author Archives: admin

Next tour: Sun 9 April 2017.
Meet: Outside the Band on the Wall, 1.30pm.

Industry began in Ancoats, a factory hoot from Manchester city centre. In 1700 this had been a semi-rural enclave by the river Medlock, Ancoats Hall home to the lords of the Manchester manor. By 1800 this was a teeming, squalid suburb, blackened with soot, deafened with the noise of thundering machinery, the smell of belching smoke hanging in the air.

The conditions were shocking: the noise of thundering machinery, suffocating air, high accident rates and notorious employment practices at the expense of an emaciated, underpaid workforce slave-driven for unsustainably long hours amidst disease, darkness, damp and desperate heat, living in dingy streets of tiny workers’ houses, jerry-built two-up two down brick boxes standing back-to-back so that as many properties as possible could be squeezed into the smallest of spaces.

The late 20th century saw Ancoats die. The mills shut, the workshops wound down, the canal almost dried up. Now it’s all cleaned up. The mills are modern workshops; the factories smart apartments, while new developments such as the much lauded New Islington project with its funkily named Chips Building and Dutch-styled houses are attracting investment…
Continue reading →

The Glories & Stories of Manchester – Coach Tour

City sights include the world’s first railway station and the Bridgewater Canal. The glorious Manchester Town Hall, the striking gothic style of John Rylands Library, the University area and the fascinating Gorton Monastery.

East to Sportcity developed for the 2002 Commonwealth Games including the Etihad Stadium of Manchester City FC and the Manchester Velodrome home to Team GB Cycling. West to Old Trafford and the 75000 seater stadium of Manchester United FC, finally to the unique waterside redevelopment of the old docks The Quays.

Spectacular water views and stunning contemporary architecture of Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry Arts centre. The flagship Media CityUK northern home of the BBC, ITV and the new Coronation Street studios. All sitting on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal the last great engineering feat of the Victorian era.

Tours can be tailored to include a lunch stop, tours of Manchester City FC & Manchester United Stadium, the Velodrome or the BBC Studios, at extra cost and subject to availability.
Continue reading →

• Our popular canal cruise leaves at 11am and includes illuminating one way commentary by the queen of canal guides Salford-born Sue Grimditch, plus the usual great service from the crew of the L S Lowry barge, as we make our way along the Bridgewater canal, through Pomona Lock and onto the Manchester Ship Canal, the Quays and Media City.
• Please book through eventbrite or www.quaytickets.com, 0843 208 0500. Cost: £18.
• Meet at the water’s edge outside the Castlefield Hotel, Liverpool Road, M3 4JR.
Continue reading →