Salford - Manchester's Little Brother

Although Salford blends into Manchester, its larger southern neighbor, the city retains its own identity, and has an entirely different character. Salford has for a long time been in the shadow of its neighbor, however in the past few years, a number of developments and the fact that the city has been able to pull itself out of its late twentieth century decline mean that it is now a vibrant and exciting city with plenty to offer.

Perhaps the main reason for the rebirth of Salford was the decision of the University of Manchester to expand and take over the established campus in the city. This change brought a sudden influx of more than 10,000 students into the city, bringing with them the need for accommodation and many new jobs. This change in the early 1990s was followed by a number of minor building projects that saw many of the older tenements razed to the ground and replaced by new modern housing.

As part of the UK millennium celebrations, civil projects were suggested up and down the country and one of the most popular was the decision to redevelop the derelict Salford Quays. Having been left to decline for nearly 20 years thanks to the reduction in the amount of cargo being processed along the Manchester Ship Canal, the docks have been reborn with a number of new buildings such as the Imperial War Museum North, The Lowry Center, and the Salford Quays Designer outlet.

One of the main attractions for any visitor to Salford is the opportunity to visit the Old Trafford Football stadium -- the home of Manchester United. As one of the most successful football clubs in the world, United are known around the world for their attacking style of play and the glamour of their players. The stadium can hold more than 70,000 people, and most games are a complete sell out weeks in advance, although it is still worth trying to get tickets for a match during your stay in the city to experience the atmosphere in the stadium.

The historic center of Salford is also home to the Granada Studios complex where the longest running soap opera in the world, Coronation Street, has been filmed for more than 40 years. Tours are available, and any fan of TV will enjoy exploring the various sets that are housed within the various buildings of the complex.