From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Castlefield
Coordinates: 53.475° N 2.255° W Castlefield shown within Greater Manchester
Metropolitan borough	City of Manchester
Metropolitan county	Greater Manchester
Region	North West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MANCHESTER
Dial code	0161
Police	Greater Manchester
Fire	Greater Manchester
Ambulance	North West
European Parliament	North West England
List of places: UK • England • Greater Manchester

Castlefield is a component area of the City of Manchester, in North West England. It is historically notable for its Roman era fort of Mamucium which later gave its name to Manchester.

After lying in disused for years, Castlefield became the United Kingdom's first designated Urban Heritage Park. This was motivated by the fact that a great deal of Manchester's industrial heritage was still intact in Castlefield. The juxtaposition of the railway viaducts and the canal systems was regarded as attractive.

Contents 1 Landmarks 1.1 Mamucium 1.2 Industrial landmarks 2 Present day 3 Redevelopment 4 References 5 External links

A facsimile of part of this Roman fort now exists. The name Castlefield is a short form of 'Castle in the field'. This designation was used after the Romans abandoned the fort around 410 and the castle was literally left decaying in the fields. The designation 'The Castle-in-the-field' was in use in the Middle Ages, but eventually came to be abbreviated to Castlefield, as it is in use now.

The area was once a site of warehouses around the basins still found in Castlefield. These warehouses were later abandoned and the area became a derelict place where the Bridgewater Canal meets the Victorian railway viaducts.

Most of the buildings have now either been restored to their former glory or renovated. Many warehouses have been converted in modern apartments (warehouse flats). Numerous archaeological digs have taken place and revealed a great deal about the early history of the city. Recently there have been new developments to accompany the converted warehouses.

Castlefield has several bars and restaurants. Venues such as Dukes 92 [1], Alberts Shed [2], The Ox [3], Choice [4] Cask and the Knott Bar are particularly popular during the summer months when people flock to the area to enjoy the large outdoor drinking areas and regular live music events.

As part of the renewal of the Castlefield site, an extensive outdoor area was developed as an events arena. The arena is used for a wide variety of events including the annual Dpercussion [5] music festival. The Manchester Museum of Science and Industry is located in the area, as are the studios of Granada Television and the now closed Granada Studios Tour. Castle Quay in Castlefield is home of radio stations Key 103 and Piccadilly Magic 1152.

• Castlefield Canal Basins - photo tour
• Manchester City Council's brief introduction to the Castlefield Regeneration Area
• Website of the annual D-Percussion festival

The City of Manchester Greater Manchester • England • United Kingdom
About Manchester
Buildings | Culture | Gallery | History | Music | People | Politics | Transport
Districts
Ancoats | Ardwick | Ardwick Green | Baguley | Belle Vue | Benchill | Blackley | Bradford | Burnage | Castlefield | Cheetham Hill | Chorlton | Chorlton-on-Medlock | Clayton | Collyhurst | Crumpsall | Darnhill | Didsbury | East Didsbury | Fallowfield | Gatley | Gorton | Harpurhey | Hulme | Levenshulme | Longsight | Lower Crumpsall | Miles Platting | Moss Side | Moston | Newall Green | Newton Heath | Northenden | Northern Quarter | Openshaw | Parrs Wood | Peel Hall| Piccadilly Village | Ringway | Rusholme | Sharston | University | Whalley Range | Withington | Woodhouse Park | Wythenshawe