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Castlefield Viaduct
A Victorian-era steel viaduct transformed into a green ‘sky garden’ in the heart of Manchester. Book a free morning guided visit or wander at your own pace, no booking needed, from 12.30pm everyday and all day weekends.
Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4LG
Book a visit
Important notice
Free pre-booked guided visits 10.30am–12.30pm every weekday - book below - and open for non-booked walk-up visits all day on weekends. Last entry is 4.30pm. No suitcases or large backpacks. Please use the lift at Deansgate/Castlefield tram stop
Opening times for 8 July 2024
Asset Opening time Castlefield Viaduct (pre-booked guided visits) 10:30 - 12:30 Castlefield Viaduct (walk ups, no booking required) 12:30 - 16:30 Book a visitMTWTFSS123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311234OpenPartially openClosedAssistance dogs only
We only welcome assistance animals on to the viaduct.
Guided tour
Access to the property is by guided visit 10.30am-12.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Please book your free ticket online. Between 12.30pm-4.30pm those afternoons and all day on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday we are open for non-booked visits up to capacity. Please note, at busy times you may have to wait a few minutes for entry.
Cafe
Currently we don't have food or drink on offer but there are food outlets within the local area.
Toilet
We have 2 accessible chemical toilets on site with baby changing facilities.
Accessible toilet
Lift
Some lifts to the viaduct are currently out of order. Please use the lift on Platform 2 at Deansgate train station and cross the bridge or catch a tram to Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop and we are a short flat distance from there. Please note, the National Trust do not manage these lifts so apologies for any inconvenience.
Induction loop
Static loops installed at the welcome area and within the visitor building. Personal loops available for the guided visit.
Seating available
We have a range of seating throughout the viaduct and within our visitor building located at the end of the viaduct.
Level access/terrain
The viaduct has level access throughout with a slight incline into the visitor building. The main route is smooth bonded gravel.
Wheelchairs available
Two wheelchairs are available to borrow for your visit
By road
Parking: There is no dedicated parking at Castlefield Viaduct though there are plenty of city centre car parks. If you can, we recommend using public transport. Castlefield Viaduct is very near Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink station or Deansgate mainline rail station. Please see alternative routes for directions.
On foot
Make your way to Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop. If approaching from Deansgate or Whitworth Street West, cross all the tram lines and turn left down the access road. There is a large sign on the wall showing the way. Look for our signs on the raised pavement. Walk across the car park at the end and there is a row of planters showing the entrance to Castlefield Viaduct. Alternatively, if approaching from the Liverpool Road direction, climb the staircase just off Duke Street to arrive at the entrance.
By train
If you are arriving at Deansgate train station make your way across the bridge to the Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop. Cross all the tram lines and turn left down the access road. There is a large sign on the wall showing the way. Look for our signs on the raised pavement. Walk across the car park at the end and there is a row of planters showing the entrance to Castlefield Viaduct.
By bus
Make your way to Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop. Cross all the tram lines and turn left down the access road. There is a large sign on the wall showing the way. Look for our signs on the raised pavement. Walk across the car park at the end and there is a row of planters showing the entrance to Castlefield Viaduct.
By bicycle
Cycling is not allowed on Castlefield Viaduct itself but we encourage visitors to arrive by bike if they'd like to. There is an access road leading up to the viaduct level from Albion Street, opposite the Armed Forces Careers Office. Follow this access road past Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop on the left and across the car park to arrive at the viaduct. There are bike racks available at the entrance.
Metrolink tram
Alight at Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop. Cross all the tram lines and turn left down the access road. There is a large sign on the wall showing the way. Look for our signs on the raised pavement. Walk across the car park at the end and there is a row of planters showing the entrance to Castlefield Viaduct.
Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4LG
Highlights
Visit the garden in the sky
Book your place on a free guided visit or come between 12.30pm and 4.30pm to visit without booking and help shape the viaduct's future as a 'sky park' green space for the community.
Events on the Viaduct
Scroll down this page for the upcoming events that make your visit even more unique and special.
Victorian viaduct
Grade II-listed viaduct in the heart of the oldest part of Manchester, built by the engineers who worked on Blackpool Tower.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see and do at Castlefield Viaduct
Explore a garden in the sky at Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester, where you can discover the history of the structure and find out more about the ideas for the future of this Grade II-listed Victorian viaduct.
Yoga + Meditation at Castlefield Viaduct
Lunch time yoga session and communal lunch break with Emma of Thorlby Yoga above the streets of Manchester. This lunch time class aims to relieve tension both physically and mentally and to help restore your energy and focus for the rest of the day ahead. Emma's classes are accessible and friendly and open to all! Please bring your own mat if you have one.
Eco-poetry workshop with Tom Branfoot
Join Manchester Cathedral’s writer-in-residence Tom Branfoot for a writing workshop all about nature and place.
Upcoming events
Event
Yoga + Meditation at Castlefield Viaduct
Lunch time yoga session and communal lunch break with Emma of Thorlby Yoga above the streets of Manchester on Castlefield Viaduct.
Event
Eco-poetry workshop with Tom Branfoot
Join Manchester Cathedral’s writer-in-residence Tom Branfoot for a writing workshop all about nature and place.
About Castlefield Viaduct
This 330-metre long Grade II-listed viaduct sits in Castlefield, the oldest part of the city of Manchester surrounded by 2000 years of history. Built in 1892 by Heenan and Froude, the engineers who worked on the iconic Blackpool Tower, the viaduct was used to carry heavy rail traffic in and out of Manchester Central Station and the Great Northern Warehouse until 1969.
Since then Castlefield Viaduct stood unused, though regularly maintained by National Highways. Now it’s reclaimed its place in the heart of this vibrant city, celebrating its part in Manchester’s past, present and future by transforming into a temporary 'garden in the sky'.
Thanks to support from private donations and players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the viaduct has been brought back into use and transformed into a freely accessible green space for Castlefield’s local community and the wider city for two years.
You can visit through free pre-booked guided visits 10.30am-12.30pm every week day and walk-up no-booking visits 12.30pm-4.30pm those afternoons and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
The garden is open until autumn 2024 and the feedback and ideas from visitors over the past year is being used to help shape a future for the viaduct. See the 'Our Work' page for more about this vision. We still need your help to make this future a reality and a green part of the Manchester skyline.
Support us
Become a corporate sponsor
We’re working together with our partners to achieve more than we could alone. Email corporatepartnerships@nationaltrust.org.uk to find out more about becoming a corporate sponsor and supporting this exciting project.
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Castlefield Viaduct.
Donate to Castlefield Viaduct
Help keep the viaduct growing by donating today and you could be funding some spectacular spring bulbs or a cuppa for a local community group.
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History
Article
History of Castlefield Viaduct
Built in 1892, the Castlefield Viaduct is a core part of Manchester's industrial heritage. Discover more about the area’s history and how the viaduct played a key role in the city’s story.
Our work
Project
Project
Our work at Castlefield Viaduct
Learn about our vision for Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester and about the work we're doing in partnership to transform this historic structure into an urban park for people and nature.
Article
Working with the community
Learn more about the community work we’re doing at Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester to work with people across the region.
Article
Combatting climate change at Castlefield Viaduct
Find out how we’re working to combat climate change at Castlefield Viaduct, as part of a project to transform this historic structure into an urban green space.