Salford: Family & Friends
When it comes to days out with family and friends, Salford has loads to do. There are tours, activities and shopping, then you can pop your feet up and refuel at one of the many places to eat and drink in (sometimes) sunny Salford.
Things to do with family & friends in Salford #1: Tours
If you’ve got tots that love TV or friends with an interest in broadcasting, then take them along to MediaCityUK, where you can keep them entertained with the BBC Studio Tour. The BBC tour takes you behind the scenes, showing you how shows like BBC Breakfast and Blue Peter are produced. You’ll be able to make your own news and weather bulletin in the interactive studio too! No two tours are the same, but they’re all exciting and fun. Your friends and family will love it, so make sure you add it to your Salford to-do list.
Take your family and friends for a stroll down the world’s most famous cobbles on the Coronation Street tour, where you can discover what it’s like behind the scenes of one of the world’s longest-running soaps. It’s the largest working television set in the country. You’ll be able to take a selfie at the Rovers Return, check out Roy’s Rolls and explore other familiar surroundings. The set was once visited by Queen Elizabeth II herself, so if it’s good enough for her, your friends and family will definitely have a blast.
Want to experience something really unique? Salford Watersports Centre offers moonlight paddle tours around Salford Quays. You’re encouraged to put on your neons and grab your glow sticks as you head out in head torches paddling around the Quays under the bright city lights. The view is truly spectacular. They alternate each week which craft they’re using for the tours. If you have some experience in the water, you can head out on the paddleboards and kayaks session but if you’re more of a beginner, then try a katakanu session where you can paddle with your friends and family and stay nice and dry too.
Things to do with family & friends in Salford #2: The great outdoors
RHS Bridgewater gardens are open and thriving (and free to Salford residents on Tuesdays!). The garden has recently been restored, regenerated, and replanted in a labour of love from RHS staff and volunteers. There’re multiple gardens to visit with colourful themed borders, complimentary sub-gardens exploring a different horticultural style, and numerous listed buildings on site. This one’s great for children too, as they have loads of activities to encourage the next generation of green fingers including Woodland Play that always delights.
If taking in scenery at a leisurely pace is something you like to do with your family and friends, then Salford has more than gardens to offer. The Worsley Village walk is a 3-mile circular walk that takes you through the village, down the Bridgewater Canal, and the rich woodland area of Worsley Woods. The Bridgewater Canal is described as ‘a journey to the past, and a glimpse into the future’ as each stretch of the waterway has stories about human ingenuity, endurance and events that shaped Salford.
If you fancy something a bit edgier, there’s a Cold War bunker hidden in Worsley Woods that you could go and explore…
Once you’ve finished with the walk you’ll end up in the village where Worsley Old Hall will be waiting to serve you a crisp pint and delicious meal.
Things to do with family & friends in Salford #3: Busy activities
Clifton Country Park offers something for grown-ups and little ones. You’ll get gorgeous views of the River Irwell, and kids will get the excitement of the fairy-tale sculptures dotted along the lakeside walk. The trail is a mile long, perfect for little legs to manage. Along the way there are 10 sculptures with a Gruffalo inspired one at the end, which children love. The wooden sculptures were created by a Cheshire based chainsaw artist and funded by a recycling challenge in the local community. It’s a morning activity to keep the whole family entertained.
For those of you who have a big appetite for adventure, why not try the most epic one Salford has to offer to test your family and friends. The ‘I’m a Celebrity…Jungle Challenge’ https://themanc.com/news/im-a-celebrity-jungle-challenge-officially-opens-at-salford-quays-this-month/) is an action-packed experience. Race against your friends and family, collecting stars from various challenges all in the camp setting with the Main Camp, The Throne and Winners Badge. You’ll try out zip lines, assault courses, quizzes, a rock wall and more. The best part is when you book your tickets it includes a bunch of digital photos of your time in the jungle to take home with you.
All of these activities are bound to get you, your friends and your family feeling hungry so check out all of the places you can take them for food and drinks around Salford here.
If you want to keep up with all things happening in Salford, there are loads of free things to do here, and you can always keep up to date on our socials – Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
