I beg to differ entirely. Salford, as we all know, has undergone a major facelift in the past few years and is still undertaking a huge regeneration programme. Also, it’s huge and people forget that. So next time you find yourself thinking that Salford has nothing to offer, think again.
The Lowry
It’s beautiful, it could be anywhere, and it’s a hub of culture where you can watch ballets, operas, stand-up comedians, bands, or even just go for a weekly cinema trip. There’s fine dining, fine wine, and IT’S IN SALFORD. If you’re feeling particularly motivated, you could even go to a dance class or two at one of the most prestigious dance schools in the North.
The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
https://www.thelowry.com/
Mediacity UK
One of the main parts of Salford’s massive scale regeneration programme, Mediacity is now the hub of news and sports in the whole country. Bringing with it a variety of bars and restaurants that again will trick you into thinking you’re elsewhere.
Take for example the Botanist – a cool, garden themed cocktail hangout or Cau, an Argentinian steak restaurant that during the festive season, offers Christmas dinner on a stick! All this set to a wonderful backdrop that could be taken out of Blade Runner.
Peel Park
Have you ever seen anything quite like a Salford sunrise or sunset? There’s nowhere better to see it cascading over Manchester in this beautiful park just by Salford University. Only recently opened, it gives stunning views over the park itself from a viewpoint at the top and as mentioned, excellent, spine-tingling, soul-stirring, Lowry painting-esque showings of the Manchester cityscape.
Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford M5 4PD
https://www.salford.gov.uk/peelpark
Another Heart to Feed
Stop press, this is actually in Salford. Fine, on the very, very cusp of Manchester, but it’s still Salford all the same. Famed for its delicious brunches or just a boozy coffee or two in a laid back setting, not much to complain about. Over various dates in December, Another Heart to Feed is offering a festive brunch with unlimited Prosecco for two hours, mince pies and gorgeous brunch food of poached eggs, smashed avocado and anything else you can imagine.
Another Heart To Feed, 77-79 Chapel St, Salford M3 5BZ
anotherhearttofeed.com/
The Black Lion
On the same street as Another Heart to Feed in Salford, The Black Lion could be your new favourite haunt to enjoy the match on a Sunday. You can exchange a Sunday roast for none other than a fantastic Pieminster pie. Cosy, comfortable and good homely food, why aren’t you there now?
The Black Lion Hotel, 65 Chapel St, Salford M3 5BZ
www.blacklionhotelsalford.co.uk/
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Based in one of the few remaining red brick buildings in the area, the exterior alone of this Grade II listed building is inviting enough to check out. Step aside and become awash with art from all manner of decades and of course, a history of Salford itself. The ‘LifeTimes’ gallery depicts life as it used to be in Salford (grim) with a walk down Salford’s memory lane brimming with heritage and local history.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, Salford M5 4WU
www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture/salford-museum
Menagerie
Once again we’re on the absolute cusp of the Manchester-Salford divide here, but if you get your Ordinance Survey Map out, or just check on Google like a modern human being, you’ll notice that Menagerie sits proudly in Salford. Home to some of the most outrageous, decadent nights in either city, you can also tuck into some fantastic dishes, a great afternoon tea and brilliant Bottomless Brunch every Sunday.
Menagerie, One New Bailey, New Bailey St, Salford M3 5JL
https://menagerierestaurant.co.uk/
Ordsall Hall
If you like ghost walks, this is especially for you. Oh, and it’s a gorgeous Grade I listed Tudor Manor House, first recorded in 1177. So definitely haunted AF. Once home to medieval gentry, then loyal to the crown Catholicists during the 1500’s and now home to a tonne of ghosts (you can watch their ‘GhostCam’ if you don’t believe me) a ghost walk in here wouldn’t be for the faint of heart. Or, if you’re just scared of absolutely anything, like me. It’s free to visit and has changing exhibitions and history events, and if you’re too scared you can go and walk around the grounds, which are beautiful.
Ordsall Hall, 322 Ordsall Ln, Salford M5 3AN
www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture/ordsall-hall
The Kings Arms
What could be classed as a ‘proper’ boozer, The King’s Arms is so much more than that. A constant entry in the Good Beer Guide, The Kings Arms serves up plenty of craft ales, ciders and spirits downstairs, alongside the occasional food pop-up and roast dinner on a Sunday. They also have a very comprehensive entertainment calendar too, which includes enough live music, comedy and theatre to keep even the most cultured Observer journalist happy.
The Kings Arms, 11 Bloom St, Salford M3 6AN
www.kingsarmssalford.com/
The Working Class Movement Library
A library dedicated to the Salford Royal Nurses of the early 1900’s, pioneers to today’s nurses at the hospital and celebrating 200 years of working class movement activism.
The library shows records of organising and campaigning by ordinary men and women, struggling to have their voices heard in the face of capitalism. From Chartism through to the General Strike and beyond, the library can take you down quite a painful journey of the working class. A painful, yet proud one, depicting important people who risked everything to make things equal and just for all. AND IT’S IN SALFORD.
Working Class Movement Library, 51 Crescent, Salford M5 4WX
https://www.wcml.org.uk/
The Lowry Hotel
Probably the pinnacle of high-end experiences in Salford, The 5 star Lowry Hotel is a favourite amongst many an A-list celebrity, as well as anyone that wants to wallow in luxury for a couple of nights. The River Restaurant and Bar play host to a variety of events and evenings, serving up some fantastic dishes throughout the day. This Christmas they are hosting a series of 1920’s parties as well as serving up a brilliant Yorkshire Pudding wrap courtesy of Head Chef Andrew Green.
Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Pl, Chapel Wharf, Salford, Manchester M3 5LH
https://www.thelowryhotel.com/
The Treehouse
Lovely aesthetic, lovely coffee, lovely cakes served by lovely people. All in one transaction. Hard to argue really. Not long open and already very popular, this family-run independent coffee shop doesn’t have a set menu, so order what you please and it’s freshly baked that day. Wonderful.
The Treehouse, 304 Lower Broughton Rd, Salford M7 2HQ
Albert’s Restaurant and Bar
From the Duke’s 92 and Albert’s Shed family, this quaint pub in Worsley fits the rest of its surroundings (Worsley is beautiful, but you wouldn’t know that, because it’s in Salford). Inside, its modern interior and extensive Italian-fusion menu will have you wondering where you’ve been transported. A great place for a few after work Prosecco’s on a Friday too.
Albert’s Worsley, E Lancashire Rd, Swinton, M27 0AA
albertsworsley.com/
