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GRANTED, there are more exotic places. Having travelled to seven continents, the idea of holidaying somewhere within five miles of Manchester at first seemed a little strange. Staycations aren’t normally my thing: I do day trips or I do a ‘proper’ holiday for a week or two, generally somewhere that requires a plane ride and has at least some prospect of sunshine. Yet, having taken all of ten minutes to pack my bag - as opposed to the usual hour or two of stress - and arrived at my destination within half an hour, I was starting to see the appeal of a short weekend break, particularly to a place that’s right on my doorstep.
At the risk of sounding like a tourist brochure, it can’t be denied that Salford Quays does tick all the boxes
That’s not to say Salford Quays is just for locals; The Lowry remains one of the North West’s leading tourist attractions - drawing over 850,000 visitors annually - whilst Old Trafford drew 109,000 international visitors last year, making it the UK’s most popular stadium for foreign visitors. Add in attractions like the Imperial War Museum, the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre, various cruise options and Europe’s largest purpose-built media location in MediaCityUK (incorporating two of the UK’s two biggest broadcasters, BBC and ITV) and it’s no wonder the area attracts around seven million visitors per year.
Activities at HH Watersports Centre include climbing, wakeboarding, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and canoeing
My stay lasted a weekend, with a night spent overlooking the water at a quayside hotel, and I found more than enough to keep me occupied. First being a trip to The Lowry arts and entertainment complex, whose two main theatres boast a non-stop programme of theatre and comedy - a quarter either UK or world premieres. I was there, however, to see its art collection: over 400 paintings by local artist LS Lowry, famed for his ‘matchstick men’ and depictions of the industrial North West.
Now for an admission. I’m not a Lowry fan (sorry) yet I felt compelled to learn more about the enigmatic artist, who is, after all, the venue’s namesake, and enjoyed wondering around the geometric interior - often chuckling at anecdotes that conveyed just how a strong a character he was. For lunch I went to The Lowry’s Pier Eight restaurant, choosing a chicken and sweet pepper terrine followed by roasted sea trout with steamed mussels and samphire - all thoroughly enjoyed overlooking the dynamic Quays skyline. I could get used to this...
Contemporary design in Pier Eight
Culture absorbed, it was time for a spot of shopping in the outlet opposite; where I managed to bag a new pair of leather boots for a very generous £25. The Lowry Outlet contains 80 stores and restaurants, offering up to 70% off, and - whilst some stores I admittedly found of little interest - I was delighted to find a Cadbury factory store lurking in the corner. Chocolate? My kind of discount.
Back to the hotel for a refresh before my next jaunt - this time to see a one-off, evening production called Broken courtesy of Quays Culture; an organisation which stages outdoor (often free) arts events throughout the year, combining leading artists with digital technology... and occasionally giant bunnies. Broken was a performance by acclaimed dance company, Motionhouse, that promised a breathtaking blend of contemporary dance, athletic contact work, acrobatics, interactive imagery and a sweeping musical soundtrack. ‘Breathtaking’ is a word that’s bandied about too often, yet this well merited the adjective and was undoubtedly the highlight of my weekend.
Broken was a free performance for all to enjoy, staged in the MediaCity Piazza
Even the walk back felt magical, as green neon lines crisscrossed the Piazza and the water shimmered with the rainbow reflections of spotlighted buildings. It reminded me a bit of Singapore’s Clarke Quay, albeit without the balmy weather. I personally think there’s something about water that elevates a place: it’s telling that harbour cities are often the most desired.
A much-needed sleep ensued before the next day’s excursion, to see the Imperial War Museum’s Fashion on the Ration exhibition. The building, of course, is an attraction in itself: clad in aluminium, Daniel Libeskind’s design represents a world shattered by conflict, a globe reassembled in three interlocking shards. The exhibition was as well-designed as its exterior, an engaging romp through wartime fashion with plenty of interesting titbits: why was it once deemed ‘peculiar’ for a woman to wear trousers?
No jeans in sight
I rounded off my itinerary with a leisurely lunch, overlooking the water, before the short journey back home. Fortunately, whilst Salford Quays was once something of a backwater (excuse the pun) dining-wise, a cluster of restaurants have changed that. Venues such as Pier 8, Cau, Damson and Penelope’s Kitchen all make for quality eating spots whilst the likes of Craftbrew and Dockyard cater for those wanting a sup rather than a supper.
It’s hard to believe that this area was once dockyard wasteland that nobody wanted, never mind sought out. Just shows what a bit of imagination (and a £1.4 billion regeneration project) can achieve. At the risk of sounding like a tourist brochure, it can’t be denied that Salford Quays does tick all the boxes: fine dining; award-winning attractions; a diverse events programme and - let’s face it - some downright jaw-dropping architecture. Maybe there is something to this staycation malarkey after all...
For more information, visit thequays.org.uk
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