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| Salford Quays/Lowry tips and photos posted by real travelers and Manchester locals. • 20 Photos
• 22 Reviews
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 | Manchester Salford Quays/Lowry Reviews | 1 - 10 of 22 |  |
I well remember when this whole area was Salford docks -- cargo ships came up the Manchester Ship Canal to unload their wares from around the world. However, with the advent of containerisation and increasing motorway links in the 1970's, ships started unloading at southern ports such as Felixstowe and Salford docks days were numbered. After years of decline the docks finally closed in the 1980's.
20 years later Salford Quays emerged from the gloom -- a magnificent effort by Salford and Trafford councils -- the whole area is now full of waterside housing, offices, a cinema, hotels, a shopping mall and of course the Lowry Centre and the Imperial War Museum North -- more of those separately. Leave a Comment Directions: 15 minutes by tram from Piccadilly - get off at Harbour City By car, from the M60 take junction 12 for the M602. The Quays are a quarter of a mile from junction 3 of the M602. Follow signs for The Quays.Website: http://www.thequays.org.uk
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Primarily built to house the works of local artist L.S.Lowry, the futuristic Lowry Centre also has 2 theatres, The Lyric and The Quays.
There is a fascinating, continuous 20 minute film about Lowry's life showing his working environment and lots of commentary by the artist himself.
There is a cafe and restaurant in the centre and a shop which sells Lowry related products.
Galleries
Open: Sun to Fri 11am -- Sat 10am.
Close: daily 5pm.
Admission is free. Leave a Comment Address: Pier 8, Salford QuaysPhone: 0870 787 5780Directions: 15 minutes by tram from Piccadilly - get off at Harbour City - follow signs for the Lowry. By car, from the M60 take junction 12 for the M602. The Quays are a quarter of a mile from junction 3 of the M602. Follow signs for The Quays.Website: http://www.thelowry.com
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The Lowry is not just galleries, but two theatres, shops and cafes and restaurant as well. The Lowry is perhaps best known for it's enormous collection (over 200) of L.S. Lowry's paintings and drawings. The collection was adopted from the Salford Art Gallery which had been collecting his work since the 1930s. Wonder what he would of thought of it in this new 21st century building, striking in it's design and built on what was Manchester's docklands. As well as Lowry's works, some of the galleries pay homage to the Manchester docks, with old photographs. And indeed, the focus of much of the contemporary art and photography on display has a local Mancunian emphasis.
There's two theatres as well in the Lowry. Shows range from music and drama, to sing-along- big screeners (The Sound of Music is a big favourite which keeps returning). Check out the website for the latest shows in these modern theatres.
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SALFORD QUAYS: The residential neighbourhood around the Salford Quays stop, especially as you walk in the direction of the Lowry, is a lovely area. Merchants Quay has canal basins filled with birds and the water is criss-crossed by pedestrian bridges. The Georgian-style houses and the sound of gulls in the air make it feel like a seaside village. At the end of the pier is this fantastic view taking in the Old Trafford football grounds, Imperial War museum and the Lowry. Leave a Comment
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Similar to the Imperial War Museum in London, this museum displays artifacts and exhibits from the various wars that Britain has been involved in, the Boer War, both World Wars right up to the Persian Gulf War, and unfortunately, it looks like more wars will be added.
The exhibits are in one huge room that is separated by "silos" throughout which hold other exhibits. There are military vehicles scattered throughout starting with a plane hanging near the entrance to this room.
My big complain about this museum is that when the "Big Picture" starts, which are various films that are projected onto the gallery walls. They last about 15 minutes and run every hour. However, all the lights go off during them, so they can project on the walls, and you can't view the displays anymore except for the ones in the silos. So if you don't want to watch the Big Picture, you're out of luck. It was rather annoying as it takes quite a while to wander around the exhibits and I was frustrated that I had to keep stopping for the film to fun. We actually left during one to go get lunch, figuring it was a good time for that.
There is another room showcasing special exhibits, but the only exhibit in there when we went was photos of the building of the museum, not that interesting, but I'm sure they'll get better.
In the entranceway to the musuem there is a lift which takes you up inside the highest part of the museum. It's open to the outside, you'll see what I mean, and it offers a great view over the surrounding landscape. What is scary is that the floor lets you see all the way straight down, not good for someone afraid of heights.
Admission is free to the musuem. Leave a Comment Address: Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, ManchesterPhone: 0161 836 4000Directions: Across the bridge from the Lowry Centre, about a 5 minute walk from Harbour City Metrolink stop.Website: www.iwm.org.uk/north/index.html
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Down by the Manchester Ship Canal, Salford Quays is another redeveloped area. It is a mixture of commercial and resedential properties, with some bars and a multiplex cinema thrown in for good measure.
Some of the modern architecture here is wonderful. This is one of the office blocks 'The Victoria Building'.
The new Lowry Centre and the Imperial War Museum (North) are both at Salford Quays too (see later).
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The housing is built around canals and docks, linked by bridges and with a fairly secluded feel. It is the kind of thing that appeals to 'yuppies', but it's quite nice for a Sunday morning stroll, especially combined with a visit to one of the attractions here (see elsewhere).
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Just to show an evening view of the Quays with Manchester United's Old Trafford football ground in the distance. Leave a Comment
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As well as the galleries and theatres, the Lowry has a restaurant, 2 cafes and 3 bars and all except "the circle bar" are open to non theatre goers.
The whole thing is an architectural delight (IMO) both inside and out, and I'd love to go to a theatre performance there.
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Named after Salford's most famous son (?) and housing some of his works, The Lowry is a centre for contemporary art and theatre.
There are galleries housing not only works by Lowry but by contemporary artists two. And there are two theatres here too, one of them "The Lyric" being the largest theatre outside of London.
Entry is "free" but they ask you to make a donation of between 3 and 5 pounds. So it's hardly free then, really. Of course you're under no obligation to pay, but you feel they look on you as a cheapskate if you don't.
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