Plans to transform Castlefield Viaduct into a ‘sky park’ similar to the High Line in New York are ploughing ahead.
The National Trust’s ambitious vision to create an urban green space on this heritage landmark is well underway.
More than 3000 plants are being added to the Victorian viaduct, which looms over the southern side of the city centre.
It’s now set to open as early as next month, turning the 330m structure into a park in the sky.
Planting on Castlefield Viaduct. Credit: National Trust Images, Annapurna Mellor
The Castlefield Viaduct dates back to 1892 and was built by Heenan and Froude, the same engineers who worked on Blackpool Tower.
But the site closed in the late 1960s, and until recently the Grade II-listed structure had been left derelict.
Now gearing up to reopen as a sky park, soon visitors will walk along the viaduct surrounded by native plants, shrubs and trees, with a ‘show garden’ at the end.
The design of the planters is inspired by the viaduct’s architecture. Credit: National Trust Images, Annapurna Mellor
The experience will also celebrate the industrial heritage of Castlefild, from the planters – inspired by the industrial architecture of the viaduct – to the section of it that will be left untouched, showing how nature has tried to reclaim this space of its own accord.
Some of the plants have been planted in a diamond pattern, mirroring the diamond shape of the viaduct’s steelwork.
A canopy is also being created using 600 half-hardy annual climbers, hops and clematis which will tumble down.
Castlefield Viaduct progress. Credit: National Trust Images, Annapurna Mellor
Castlefield Viaduct progress. Credit: National Trust Images, Annapurna Mellor
Four sections of the viaduct have been handed to partner organisations so that they can create their own gardens.
These include the Science and Industry Museum (who have recreated the steam from the old locomotives with fluffy white plants, and used blue flowers to symbolise waterways), Urban Wilderness with charity 42nd Street (they’ve created a ‘garden of possibilities’ focused on improving mental health), and City of Trees (‘Past, Present and Future’ is the inspiration for theirs).
Castlefield Forum also have a section with landscape architects BDP, choosing plants that mirror the distinct features of Castlefield in both colour and scale.
These changes are, at present, temporary.
Artist impressions of Castlefield Viaduct. Credit: Twelve Architects Masterplanners
The National Trust has created the park space to gain the public’s opinion on what the long-term future of the viaduct could be.
When the first phase of the £1.8m pilot opens next month, 100 people a day will be able to visit.
Entry onto the structure will be free, but a booking system will be in place to help manage numbers. As part of the experience, visitors will be able to join a guided walk on the viaduct.
Pamela Smith, senior national consultant for Gardens and Parklands at the National Trust said: “We’ve reached an exciting stage in the project to transform Castlefield Viaduct into a green space for the people of Manchester.
“Creating a garden on an industrial heritage structure such as this is untested territory for us and we’re intrigued to see how the plant life will take to its new surroundings.
“In addition to greening up a heritage structure, we’re celebrating Manchester’s history adding the county flower, cotton grass, to the viaduct as well as fern species once collected by Manchester suffragist and botanist, Lydia Becker.”
Amy Watson, Castlefield gardener at the National Trust said: “Castlefield Viaduct is unlike any other garden in the National Trust’s care and we’ll be keeping a close eye on the garden to see how it gets on over the next twelve months.
A view across Manchester to Castlefield Viaduct. Credit:James Dobson, National Trust Images
“I’ll be working with a team of dedicated volunteers and apprentices to plant bulbs on a regular basis and adding to the planting to make sure there’s plenty to see throughout the year. We’ll also be working closely with our partners to see how their gardens are responding to their unique surroundings.”
Sophie Wardell, urban places programme manager at the National Trust said: “So much hard work has gone into getting the viaduct to this point and we couldn’t have got this far without the support of our partners and those who have helped make this happen for Manchester.
“A little over 12 months ago we’d only just shared the artist illustrations of what the viaduct could look like, and now it’s becoming a reality. This first year is an experiment for us to see what people want Castlefield Viaduct to be in the future and we’re excited to hear what ideas they have.”
Featured image: National Trust Images Annapurna Mellor
Feature
You can stay in an aircraft, old school bus, or even a helicopter at this glamping pod near Manchester
Thomas Melia
There’s a glamping retreat near Manchester offering extraordinary stays in an aircraft, helicopter, old school bus and more.
Over in Blackpool at Manor House Glamping, there is a range of static vehicles that you can have an overnight stay or two in, and according to the pictures on its website, there’s even a resident emu.
You can stay in various modes of transport, such as an aircraft, an iconic yellow school bus, a campervan or a military green truck.
Each has its own perks ranging from a hot tub, outdoor bath, fire pit, sandpit and more. Whatever type of getaway or retreat you’re looking for, you’ll find everything you need right here.
The most eye-catching of the company’s stays is certainly the aircraft, which has kept its original cockpit features, although it’s safe to say the interior has definitely had a makeover.
There’s no such thing as a bad in-flight experience with this guest house, as you can get cocktails delivered to the cockpit after taking a dip in your own personal hot tub – not too shabby, eh?
With the bright and unmissable yellow school bus, there are plenty of decorations that help continue this theme in the form of various American road signs, one of which acts as your headboard for the night.
If you’re after a more toned-down chance to unwind, you can step into a pale-white camper van with cosy cushions and a snug haystack-turned-sofa adorned with some gorgeous blankets.
And if you’re looking at going all out, then your Manor House Glamping accommodation of choice has to be the chopper, which was once used by the Royal Navy.
Worried this option might be a tad nippy? Fear not, because this helicopter is fully kitted out to suit your glamping needs with two fluffy-lined cushions on each seat of this vintage heli.
Anyone who experiences cabin fever, fear not, because all the aircraft and vehicles are static and aren’t planning on making a long-haul journey anytime soon, you’ll still be able to keep your feet firmly on the ground.
Manor House Glamping has a variety of vehicle-themed guest houses, both old and new, for you to stay in overnight and if you’re interested or after any further information.
If you fancy staying within the boundaries of Greater Manchester but still fancy getting the feel for a cockpit, though, there’s a very fun day out over at Barton’s City Airport.
Drake at Co-op Live, Manchester: Forget ‘One Dance’ – we had many
Thomas Melia
Canadian hitmaker Drake graced Co-op Live in Manchester for the final night of the ‘Some Special Shows 4 UK’ tour with PartyNextDoor.
First song in and multi-hyphenate Drake is already feeling sentimental with ‘Gimme a Hug’ as he admits, “I appreciate the fans rockin’ with me / This is really just a small token.”
‘Marvin’s Room’ played out right after, and although the song prior references it as a favourite of “Durk’s boy”, this same love was shared between 23,500 fans in the crowd at Co-op Live last night.
Shortly after, the Toronto-born rapper began the usual minute-long introduction of his gigantic single ‘Passionfruit’ with fans roaring as soon as he sang the long-awaited ‘Listen’.
Drake played out to 94,000 fans across four sold-out nights at Co-op Live in Manchester (Credit: Audio North)
Less than halfway through this stacked setlist, and it was time for the holy trinity of the night: ‘God’s Plan’, ‘In My Feelings’ and ‘Nice for What’ – nothing short of back-to-back bangers.
Fellow Canadian artist PartyNextDoor joined the self-proclaimed ‘Champagne Papi’ on stage to perform a medley of hits from their collaborative album ‘Some Sexy Songs 4 U’ next.
This R’n’B act made sure to play out his murky trap-fused number ‘No Chill’, and he squeezed in the equally melancholic melody ‘Somebody Loves Me’, too.
The pair may be promoting their joint LP but they took a second to squeeze in a throwback, matching each other’s energy while executing the 2016 collaboration ‘Come and See Me’.
Drake’s career is timeless, and the setlist proves just that as he delivers a rendition of one of his most recent successes, ‘Girls Want Girls’, followed by a track that laid the foundations of his career, ‘Fancy’.
Drake and PartyNextDoor for the ‘Some Special Songs 4 UK’ tour(Credit: The Manc)
Almost 30 songs deep and Drake still had fans reciting bars, verses and everything in between, and this continued as the two-time Brit award winner started 2023 anthem ‘Rich Baby Daddy’.
St. Louis rapper Sexyy Red wasn’t present for her renowned chant, but Manchester stepped up to the occasion, professing: “Hands on your knees, hands on your knees / Shake that *ss for Drake / Now shake that *ss for me”, verbatim.
It was only fair that the global rap titan finished with the setlist with two cellular-themed tracks, starting with the “You used to call me on my cell phone” number ‘Hotline Bling’ before the “Who’s callin’ my phone?” viral smash ‘Nokia’.
The setlist follows a very cyclical structure, as although Drake is known for his comical and cheeky persona on stage and online, deep down, the chart topper is very attentive.
Ending on the ever-emotive ‘Yebba’s Heartbreak’ with lines like, “How much can I show my love for you?”, it’s safe to say this international act is feeling pretty grateful after seeing 94,000 fans show up and show out for him across four non-consecutive nights.
Drake may refer to himself as the ‘Champagne Papi’, but it’s the 23,500 fans who were popping bottles and raising a toast to the rap champ; the support for this musical act is ‘Nonstop’.
Co-op Live really is booking all the big names now.
Daisy Jackson -
17th June 2022 
