A canal walk around Salford Quays and Media City with optional extension to Old Trafford Football Stadium

Buildings reflected in water

This 3km walk takes you round the pedestrian friendly and much photographed area of Media City and includes The Lowry Theatre, The Manchester Ship Canal and The Imperial War Museum North.

If you're in Manchester on a rainy day the reflections and lighting make this place look amazing, especially in the evening.

You have the option to extend the walk by a further kilometre up to Old Trafford Football Stadium, the home of Manchester United.

Map including canals
Salford Quays (Google My Maps)

Take the Eccles via Media City tram to Media City tram stop. Once there, walk towards Quay House by keeping the water on your left hand side. 

Building with text Quay House
Quay House

Walk in front of Quay House where BBC tours start and then walk round this square in a clockwise direction. You will pass in front of The Studios building (A) where Coronation Street tours start.

Glass building with reflection of Lowry Theatre
The Studios, Media City

Walk on in the same directions and out of this square past the front of  Dock House and in front of Salford University building. You will reach a small green. Walk across this green following the path.

Corner of a glass building with text Prezzp
Salford University building

Cross the tram tracks then the road (B), walk right on the pavement for 10 metres, then head down by the side of the water on your left. You will be able to see the Detroit Swing Bridge (C) in the distance. Walk down to this bridge.

Metal bridge over water
Detroit Swing Bridge, Salford Quays

Cross this bridge and and return along the other side of the canal wharf. When you get back to a roundabout on the road turn left and enter a square in front of the Lowry Theatre. If the theatre is open you can visit a gallery on the upper floor which exhibits a number of LS Lowry paintings. 

Lowry theatre with geometric shapes
Lowry Theatre Salford Quays

The square in front of the theatre is the setting for a makers market on the last weekend of each month. 

Exit the square to the left of the theatre front and cross the lift bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal also known as the River Irwell (D). You can see the the football stadium on your left hand side as you cross the bridge 

Metal bridge with walkway
Lift Bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal

Once you're across the river turn right and walk along the river by the rear of the Imperial War Museum North. 

Geometric shapes of the Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum North (Rear)

Walk until you see a suspension bridge on your right. Don't cross it but turn left by the museum car park (E). This takes you past ITV Studios and the Coronation Street Studios to Trafford Wharf Road. Tram tracks run along this road. Turn left and, walk past the front of the museum (F) to the tram stop. Trams here run to Cornbook which connects with many other lines

If you want to extend the walk to Old Trafford, carry on walking past Wharf Road tram stop and follow the road as it swings right and becomes Sir Alex Ferguson Way. Walk up between the Hotel Football and the stadium.

Here you can find the Trinity statue

Statue of three footballers
Manchester United trinity statue

and Manchester United megastore

Headless dummies with red Manchester United Strip on shop
Manchester United Megastore, Old Trafford

Retrace your steps down Sir Alex Ferguson Way and catch the Metrolink tram at Wharfside back to Cornbrook station.

Location: MediaCityUK, Salford M50 2HF, UK

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