Castlefield.

Discovering Manchester’s industrial revolution.

At the south-west corner of Manchester city centre is the area of Castlefield. The area is not large but its importance to the industrialisation of Manchester and the north west of England has been immense.

The Bridgewater Canal terminates here. It was constructed to service the coal mines around Worsley, that were owned by the Duke of Bridgewater. It was later extended to connect Runcorn, Worsley and Leigh. The Rochdale Canal and other shorter canals join the Bridgewater Canal in Castlefield. The area is still home to many warehouses that were built at this time. Many of these served the cotton industry that dominated Manchester.

Later came the railway. Consequently, Castlefield is a criss cross of routes to serve barges and trains. There are many notable landmarks, including the former Liverpool Road Railway Station. Opened in 1830 it was the terminus for the worlds first inter-city passenger railway, connecting Manchester and Liverpool.

If you are in Manchester it is worth a visit, and try to make time to see the Science and Industry Museum.