A tapestry of humans and nature
Darrell Wilson, landscape architect explains how the new sky park at Castlefield Viaduct is bringing more nature, beauty and history to Manchester.
Castlefield Viaduct is the perfect example of how Manchester’s infrastructure intertwines history and culture. The city’s rich history, from its Roman origins with its pivotal role in the industrial revolution and subsequent transformation into a cultural hub gives the city it’s character.
The evolution of Castlefield reflects the broader shifts in transportation and industry that defined Manchester's growth. The viaduct itself stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity, serving as a vital artery for the movement of goods for nearly a century.
Even after its closure in 1969, the viaduct continued to play a significant role in shaping the landscape of Castlefield, becoming an iconic feature in various forms of media and cultural representations. Its adaptation into a leisure and cultural space underscores the city's ability to repurpose its industrial heritage for contemporary use, adding layers to its historical narrative.
Now, tourists, historians and naturalists alike will be able to enjoy Manchester’s newest sky park for longer as the National Trust has been granted an extension to the popular Castlefield Viaduct gardens project.
Created with our team of landscape architects it is a mix of National Trust planting and plots designed and grown by community organisations.
It is already a place like no other and it is fantastic to be working to bring to life a vision for the space that reaches far beyond its perceived potential. We know the benefits it can bring in terms of health, wellbeing, community and placemaking.
The viaduct has become a genuine city detour that inspires a diverse range of people and ages with a range of ideas, installations, and artistic interventions. It is a landscape-led approach that creates a new city garden, breathes new life into the lungs of the city and gives us the opportunity to enhance the space for nature and beauty.
As we develop our concepts further with the community, we know it will become a place which drives and reflects the success of Greater Manchester. We will be supercharging the attributes of this great piece of Victorian engineering to create a vibrant, people-focused experience that leaves a smile on the face of all who visit.
Manchester's smile
If it’s first dates
or growing stakes,
coffee with gran or
community plans.
Whether honey or history,
our Castlefield curve
is a platform that elevates.
The story is wild, industrial
and proud of its heritage,
where blue, green, grey
strata overlay and interplay
past, present, future.
A beautiful tapestry
of humans and nature.
From hard-working rails
to art trails, wagtails and
night-time light trails.
These are our city’s tales.
Potting sheds,
picnics and poets –
a place that’s for people.
A neighbourhood balcony
with its views and news,
enjoying skylines
and family good times.
Walks, talks,
a run with the dog,
memories of ancestors
then off to the pub.
Meander, dwell, dawdle,
or get a shift on –
our feast for the senses has
something for everyone.
Practical, beautiful,
a nod, a wink;
not quite a mile but
Manchester’s smile
is wide and welcoming.
