Things to Do in Salford & Manchester: A Local's Guide
Salford doesn't always get the credit it deserves. Overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, it's a city that rewards those who look beyond the obvious - and increasingly, people are looking. The arrival of MediaCityUK, the regeneration of the Quays, and a thriving independent food and drink scene have transformed Salford into a genuine destination in its own right.
We're biased, of course. We've been distilling rum here since 2018, hidden beneath the railway arches on Viaduct Street - and the city's industrial heritage is woven into everything we make. But we genuinely believe Salford is one of the best places in the North to spend a day. Here's our local's guide to making the most of it.
Start at The Dirty Old Town Distillery
We'd say this, obviously - but hear us out. The Dirty Old Town Distillery isn't just a rum tasting. It's a piece of Salford's industrial story told through spirit - a 75-minute experience that covers the history of rum, its connection to the Salford Docks, and the unlikely journey from a drunken idea to a range of award-winning craft spirits.
Located in Arch 33 on Viaduct Street, the distillery is a working production facility and a bar and rum shop rolled into one. You'll taste four of our rums and two expertly mixed cocktails, and leave knowing far more about both rum and Salford than when you arrived. It's consistently rated as one of Manchester's top experiences on TripAdvisor, and for groups - hen dos, stag dos, corporate events, birthdays - it's one of the best things to do in the city centre.
Book your distillery experience here.
The Lowry
One of the great cultural buildings of the North, The Lowry sits on the waterfront at Salford Quays and houses two theatres, multiple gallery spaces, and a permanent collection of work by L.S. Lowry - the painter whose matchstick figures became synonymous with industrial Manchester and Salford. Whether you're visiting for a West End touring production, a contemporary dance performance, or simply to walk the galleries, it's a building worth spending time in.
The surrounding Quays area is worth a wander too - the waterfront architecture is genuinely striking, and on a clear day the walk between the distillery and the Quays along the river is one of the better urban walks in the city.
IWM North
Designed by Daniel Libeskind and opened in 2002, the Imperial War Museum North is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Greater Manchester. Its jagged, fragmented form - representing a world shattered by conflict - is as striking inside as it out. The permanent collection covers conflict from the First World War to the present day, with an immersive floor show that uses the entire main exhibition space as a canvas. Entry is free.
Ordsall Hall
Salford's hidden gem. Ordsall Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor manor house dating back to the 14th century - one of the oldest buildings in Greater Manchester, sitting just minutes from Salford Quays. The contrast between the ancient timber-framed hall and its surroundings is remarkable. Period rooms, beautifully maintained gardens, and a reputation as one of the most haunted buildings in the region make it a genuinely memorable visit. Entry is free.
MediaCityUK
The home of the BBC's northern operations, ITV, and over 200 digital and media businesses, MediaCityUK is one of the largest media hubs in Europe. It's also a genuinely lively public space - the piazza area hosts regular events, the waterside restaurants and bars are excellent, and if you're visiting with children the interactive science centre Experiment is well worth a visit. The scale of the development, built on what was once working dockland, gives you a sense of how dramatically this part of Salford has been transformed.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
Free to enter and often overlooked, Salford Museum and Art Gallery on The Crescent is one of the oldest public museums in the country - it opened in 1850 as the UK's first free public library. Inside you'll find a recreation of a Victorian street, extensive L.S. Lowry works, and a rotating programme of contemporary exhibitions. It's a genuine local institution and well worth an hour of your time.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
A more recent addition to Salford's offer - RHS Garden Bridgewater opened in 2021 on a 154-acre site on the edge of Worsley and has quickly become one of the region's most popular day out destinations. The kitchen garden alone is worth the visit, and the café is excellent. It's a 20-minute drive from the city centre, or accessible by public transport.
Salford Lads Club
Famous globally thanks to a certain photograph of The Smiths taken outside its doors in 1985, Salford Lads Club has been a community institution since 1903. The Victorian building on St Ignatius Walk in Ordsall is home to a small museum dedicated to the club's history and its unlikely pop culture significance. For music fans of a certain era, it's a pilgrimage site.
Chapel Street & the Independent Food Scene
Chapel Street is Salford's most rapidly evolving stretch - a mix of independent restaurants, bars, creative agencies and cultural spaces running between the city centre and Salford Cathedral. The Black Friar, just a five-minute walk from our distillery, is one of the city's best traditional pubs - a beautifully restored Victorian building with excellent food and a commitment to local suppliers. It's our natural partner for a combined distillery and dining experience if you want to make a full day of it.
How to Get Here
Salford is exceptionally well connected. The Dirty Old Town Distillery is a 5-minute walk from Manchester city centre and a 10-minute walk from Manchester Victoria station. Salford Central station is even closer. If you're driving, several public car parks are within a 2-minute walk of the distillery on Blackfriars Street.
Most of the attractions listed here are within a short walk, tram or taxi ride of one another - it's entirely possible to visit the distillery, walk along the river to Salford Quays, take in The Lowry and IWM North, and be back in Manchester city centre for dinner, all in a single day.
Book Your Distillery Experience
If you're planning a visit to Salford or Manchester and want to add something genuinely memorable to the itinerary, our Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting starts from £35 per person. Experiences run throughout the week - book in advance as places are strictly limited.
Can't make it in person? Shop the full Salford Distillery range online with free UK delivery on orders over £100.
