Description
The walk begins by travelling from Salford Crescent railway station down though the grounds of Salford University. Observe the intriguing climbing-wall sculpture Engels' Beard, named after Friedrich Engels, the political philosopher whose radical ideas were inspired by his time in Salford.
After passing the Clifford Whitworth Library turn right and head down towards some steep steps which will take you into Peel Park, claimed to be the world's first public park, having no entrance fees or dress codes unlike some others at the time. Continue forward though the park, following in the footsteps of renowned Salford artist LS Lowry who depicted the Peel Park in many of his quirky but wonderful paintings.
When you reach the other side of the park, use the footbridge to cross the Irwell and continue on to end of the road, turn left and then right to get to another bridge. Alternatively if you have time to make this a slower Slow Way, you can reach the second bridge by turning immediately right after the crossing, then meander around the Meadow, following the crescent shape of the river which gives this area its name.
Having crossed the Irwell for a second time it's time to follow the river for a while. Turn left at the end of the bridge and go along the river path until you reach Blackfriars road, cross this road then continue along the path.
After several minutes you will reach a sub-way under the Manchester inner ring road. Hold your breath until you reach the other side and then head right until you reach a street (Greengate). Turning left, go along Greengate, under the railway arches and then cross Chapel St to reach a footpath going once again over the river Irwell. Cross the bridge saying goodbye to Salford and hello to Manchester.
Once across the bridge you will see Manchester Cathedral, if you have time, pop in to see the magnificent £2.6m Stoller organ, otherwise continue along the Cathedral Yard turning right onto Cathedral Gate. Here you can take to opportunity to sample a drink at one of the historic pubs of Shambles Square situated here.
Next carry on up the steps and along the pedestrian street New Cathedral St, past the Royal Exchange with its theatre and into St Ann's Square. If you now go around St Ann's church you get one of the many ginnels that can take you through Manchester avoiding much of the crowds and traffic.
After passing through the first ginnel, St Ann's Passage, you will see a second directly across King St East. This takes you to South King Street. Turn left here then next right on to St James's Square. On reaching the end, cross John Dalton St and continue down another couple of ginnels. Congratulations you have now found Manchester's 'Hidden Gem' or to give it its proper name St Mary's Catholic Church. Keep going forward along Mulberry St and turn left onto Brazennose St, this takes you to centre of Manchester, Albert Square.
Finally, walk diagonally to the right across the square, admiring the marvellous neo-gothic Manchester town hall. Continue across Lloyd St and past the Town Hall Extension (also listed) and head left down Library Walk between it and the Central Library. At the end of this path you will reach St Peter's Square and the journey between Salford and Manchester will be complete
The walk begins by travelling from Salford Crescent railway station down though the grounds of Salford University. Observe the intriguing climbing-wall sculpture Engels' Beard, named after Friedrich Engels, the political philosopher whose radical ideas were inspired by his time in Salford.
After passing the Clifford Whitworth Library turn right and head down towards some steep steps which will take you into Peel Park, claimed to be the world's first public park, having no entrance fees or dress codes unlike some others at the time. Continue forward though the park, following in the footsteps of renowned Salford artist LS Lowry who depicted the Peel Park in many of his quirky but wonderful paintings.
When you reach the other side of the park, use the footbridge to cross the Irwell and continue on to end of the road, turn left and then right to get to another bridge. Alternatively if you have time to make this a slower Slow Way, you can reach the second bridge by turning immediately right after the crossing, then meander around the Meadow, following the crescent shape of the river which gives this area its name.
Having crossed the Irwell for a second time it's time to follow the river for a while. Turn left at the end of the bridge and go along the river path until you reach Blackfriars road, cross this road then continue along the path.
After several minutes you will reach a sub-way under the Manchester inner ring road. Hold your breath until you reach the other side and then head right until you reach a street (Greengate). Turning left, go along Greengate, under the railway arches and then cross Chapel St to reach a footpath going once again over the river Irwell. Cross the bridge saying goodbye to Salford and hello to Manchester.
Once across the bridge you will see Manchester Cathedral, if you have time, pop in to see the magnificent £2.6m Stoller organ, otherwise continue along the Cathedral Yard turning right onto Cathedral Gate. Here you can take to opportunity to sample a drink at one of the historic pubs of Shambles Square situated here.
Next carry on up the steps and along the pedestrian street New Cathedral St, past the Royal Exchange with its theatre and into St Ann's Square. If you now go around St Ann's church you get one of the many ginnels that can take you through Manchester avoiding much of the crowds and traffic.
After passing through the first ginnel, St Ann's Passage, you will see a second directly across King St East. This takes you to South King Street. Turn left here then next right on to St James's Square. On reaching the end, cross John Dalton St and continue down another couple of ginnels. Congratulations you have now found Manchester's 'Hidden Gem' or to give it its proper name St Mary's Catholic Church. Keep going forward along Mulberry St and turn left onto Brazennose St, this takes you to centre of Manchester, Albert Square.
Finally, walk diagonally to the right across the square, admiring the marvellous neo-gothic Manchester town hall. Continue across Lloyd St and past the Town Hall Extension (also listed) and head left down Library Walk between it and the Central Library. At the end of this path you will reach St Peter's Square and the journey between Salford and Manchester will be complete
Status
This route has been reviewed by 8 people.
There are no issues flagged.
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 8
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (8)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 18
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
| Grade 2X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 2: Mostly smooth and compacted surfaces, but there may be some loose gravel, muddy patches or cobbles. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
| Full grading description | |||
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Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 80.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Very clear (1)
Successfully completed
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Recommended by an expert
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Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
40.0% of the route is on roads (1)
80.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
95.0% of the route is paved (1)
5.0% of the route is muddy (1)
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
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1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Salford
Grid Ref
SJ8184098778
Lat / Lon
53.48542° / -2.27514°
Easting / Northing
381,840E / 398,778N
What3Words
storms.bridge.jumpy
Manchester
Grid Ref
SJ8392897961
Lat / Lon
53.47814° / -2.24363°
Easting / Northing
383,928E / 397,961N
What3Words
camp.encounter.clocks
| Salford | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SJ8184098778 |
| Lat / Lon | 53.48542° / -2.27514° |
| Easting / Northing | 381,840E / 398,778N |
| What3Words | storms.bridge.jumpy |
| Manchester | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SJ8392897961 |
| Lat / Lon | 53.47814° / -2.24363° |
| Easting / Northing | 383,928E / 397,961N |
| What3Words | camp.encounter.clocks |
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reviews
Gismay
20 Aug 2023Heading off from the University, across the lovely Peel Park before crossing the River Irwell twice then a really pleasant stretch following the river east before turning back south into the outskirts of Manchester towards the cathedral and past a statue of Ghandi. There are some great buildings to look at, even as you pass the big department stores through the town centre and the routes cuts through narrow passages between buildings before heading through the Civic Quarter, around the the beautiful library building on to the finish at the station in St Peters Square. A great route that I really enjoyed.
Mary Oz
20 Aug 2023Obviously not the shortest route, by some way, nor fully accessible, but you get to see some of the best bits of Salford and of Manchester. You go from the quiet green of Peel Park, over the River Irwell on nice footbridges, along the river, then up into the lively exciting bustle of Manchester, and some of its best landmarks. Excellent route!.
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Scott
18 Jun 2023Loved this walk, it was easy to follow and nice along the water. A nicer route into town than the generic walk along the big roads.
I would for sure recommend this route especially for a nice commute.
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RGW
18 Jun 2023This is a very good route between Manchester and Salford which is largely off-road once out of the very centre of the city. It includes a pleasant section following the River Irwell where a variety of wildlife can normally be seen (keep an eye out for herons and cormorants). It also features the delightful Peel Park in Salford.
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Hiking Historian
24 Mar 2023Pleasant walk from Salford to Manchester, utilising not just urban routes but through parks and a lengthy river walk. There are a number of steps, however, so this is a foot-only route.
It starts at Salford Crescent station (there's bus stops nearby too), and then cuts through the Salford University campus, which is all paved. A long flight of steps brings us into Peel Park, and, once past its monuments, up more steps and onto the first bridge over the river Irwell (there are ramps nearby, but we'll later see this route is not wheel-friendly).
Once through a residential area and over another bridge, we're now on a lengthy river walk on a good tarmac path. A road crossing brings us to some steps (no ramps), and, once we hit Manchester, more steps up into an area full of new towers and lots of development. It's all paved though, and brings us, once more, over the river and into Manchester near the cathedral.
The route takes an odd diversion past Gandhi's statue and the cathedral rather than a direct route, and, once past some historic pubs, up more steps and onto the pedestrianised shopping streets of the city centre.
Past St Ann's, a series of passageways brings us, eventually, to Albert Square (currently closed) and through the passage between the town hall and the library to St Peter's Square, the end point.
Despite being a very good and well-paved route, it's probably only achievable during daylight hours: the passageway near the library is gated and passes through a glass atrium, which is closed at night.
Nevertheless, really enjoyed this one!.
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Dancarter
16 Jan 2023I combined this route with the Eccles-Salford route to reach the centre of Manchester to catch a train. What a treat! I had no idea there was so much nature and open space even in this most densely urbanised of cities. Look for the plaque in the centre of Peel Park, which tells us about the history of this "people's park", a place fought for by the working classes who raised money to give ordinary people fresh air and freedom in the early industrial revolution. You then cross the ox-bowed Irwell twice before following its banks in to the heart of Manchester. I saw terns (or were they just seagulls?) diving for fish and flocks of Canada geese here.
The final part is now being rapidly taken over by tower blocks, but if you can negotiate your way past these you soon find yourself in the small medieval quarter, where I stopped for a rest in the Cathedral where someone was rehearsing Baroque music on the organ. Outside there is a statue of Mahatma Ghandi, another slow walker! I did not follow the route exactly after this, but easily found my way to Piccadilly station from whence I took my train. Very pleasant experience.
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DaveHilton
28 May 2022We walked from Manchester to Salford and this is certainly an interesting and relatively traffic-free way to do it. The route through Manchester passes by historic and modern Manchester, taking in St Anne’s Square, Manchester town hall and Exchange Square. The route then takes in a nice riverside path before finishing through picturesque Peel Park and the campus of the University of Salford.
There are some sections of this route with multiple flights of stairs, and part of the route in Manchester was closed for repair. That said, you can usually divert around if you need, although some diversions look quite lengthy. Not the most direct route either, but a great one to take in the area and, well, this is a slow way after all.
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Acorntea
18 Sep 2021This is a very pleasant walk to the centre of Manchester which bypasses a lot of the faff and stress of walking down busy roads and navigating pedestrian crossings. I'll be using this regularly as it passes near to Manchester Victoria train station.
If you're not in a rush check out the looping path around The Meadow - turn right after crossing the white bridge from Peel Park.
The path is paved or tightly packed tan-coloured footpath throughout although there are a few flights steps that will need negotiating for those on bikes and with wheelchairs. There appears to be a short detour available for each obstruction though. Continual building works in Manchester City Centre often impede progress, but once you're in the city you can make your own route to your destination.
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