Castlefield Viaduct
- Location
- Manchester, UK
- Client
- The National Trust
- Expertise
- Landscape Architecture
- Acoustics
- Architecture
- Civil & Structural Engineering
- Design Management
- Lighting
- Sustainability
- Town Planning
- Urban Design
This temporary green space, transforming a disused Victorian-era railway viaduct, has become a cherished part of the Manchester community.
Situated in the heart of Manchester, the Castlefield Viaduct offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city, inviting locals, visitors, and tourists to experience its unique charm. It's more than just a green space in an urban landscape—it's a living testament to the city’s history and natural beauty, revitalising what was once a forgotten part of the city.
Inspired by the lost Cornbrook Strawberry Gardens of the 19th century, the viaduct’s Strawberry Garden provides a serene space for relaxation. The design takes full advantage of the open-air structure, with stunning views of Manchester from The Lookout, offering a rare perspective on the city’s skyline.
The entire project is a remarkable example of reusing and repurposing an industrial relic into a thriving green space. By incorporating natural ventilation and repurposed materials, the viaduct stays true to its environmentally friendly ethos, minimising waste and supporting sustainable goals. The National Trust’s vision for Castlefield Viaduct is to enable a deeper connection between people, nature, and Manchester’s heritage, creating a space where the community can come together and reconnect with their surroundings.
Part of the National Trust’s Urban Places initiative, the viaduct contributes to increasing access to green spaces across urban areas, making it easy to reach by foot, bicycle, and public transport, thereby reducing the environmental impact of visitors.
"Designing a future for this structure that benefits the local community has always been at the heart of our work. The viaduct has enormous potential to bring people and nature together and provide active travel links to other areas of the city.”
“Castlefield Viaduct is a place like no other and it is fantastic to be working with the National Trust to bring to life a vision for the space that reaches far beyond its perceived potential. Over the last year, the viaduct has become a genuine city detour that inspires a diverse range of people and ages with a range of ideas, installations, and artistic interventions. It is a landscape-led approach that creates a new city garden, breathes new life into the lungs of the city and gives us the opportunity to enhance the space for nature and beauty."
Manchester's Smile
If it’s first dates
or growing stakes,
coffee with gran or
community plans.
Whether honey or history,
our Castlefield curve
is a platform that elevates.
The story is wild, industrial
and proud of its heritage,
where blue, green, grey
strata overlay and interplay
past, present, future.
A beautiful tapestry
of humans and nature.
From hard-working rails
to art trails, wagtails and
night-time light trails.
These are our city’s tales.
Potting sheds,
picnics and poets –
a place that’s for people.
A neighbourhood balcony
with its views and news,
enjoying skylines
and family good times.
Walks, talks,
a run with the dog,
memories of ancestors
then off to the pub.
Meander, dwell, dawdle,
or get a shift on –
our feast for the senses has
something for everyone.
Practical, beautiful,
a nod, a wink;
not quite a mile but
Manchester’s smile
is wide and welcoming.