Castlefield Basin
In the City of Manchester

When the Romans withdrew from Britain, the fort was abandoned (around 410 AD), and over the following centuries the site decayed and became overgrown, so that by the Middle Ages it was known locally as "The Castle-in-the-Field", which eventually became condensed into Castlefield, as it remains today.

The Castlefield area has been designated as Britain's first Urban Heritage Park. It contains not only a wealth of Manchester's industrial heritage - railway viaducts, canal systems and museums, but also many tourist attractions including waterside pubs, pleasant walks, boat trips and frequent events in the Outdoor Arena. Most of its once derelict industrial buildings have now been renovated or restored to their former glory, and numerous archaeological digs have revealed the early history of the city.

Arena Booking: Telephone 0161-834 4026
As part of the renewal of the Castlefield Site, an extensive new outdoor area has been developed as an events arena. Set at the water's edge in the Castlefield Basin, its permanently canopied banked terrace would not have been out of place serving as an open "theatre" in Roman times, yet captures all the simplicity and elegance of modern architectural design, without detracting from the natural picturesque qualities of Castlefield itself.

Basin Moorings in Castlefield

Castlefield Outdoor Events Arena

Crowds watching performances during the Castlefield Festival

Boats Rally for the Castlefield Festival

Castlefield Visitors Centre

Logo of the Manchester Development Corporation

The area provides for an audience both seated and standing, and serves as a venue for all kinds of outdoor events, entertainments and gatherings. The site had been, for many years a natural gathering area, where street performers, various markets and festivals took place. The arena has now finally made formal such hitherto casual gatherings. Not least amongst these events are canal festivals, where traditional canal narrowboats gather from the surrounding counties. It also acts as a venue for the annual Castlefield Carnival, usually held in early August, as well as other musical events, promotions and exhibitions.

Usually held on a Saturday and Sunday in late August or early September, this recently introduced Carnival has become a popular tradition which attracts thousands of people from all over the region during the 2 days of its duration. The Castlefield Carnival makes excellent use of the newly refurbished basins, and the Open Air Arena truly comes into its own for the event. It is definitely a fun weekend for the whole family and includes live continuous entertainments, stalls, booths street acts and performances of all kinds.
The Festival also attracts canal boats and cruisers from all over the region, decked out in bunting and plying canal wares of all kinds as well as exhibitions and displays about all the many local canal restoration schemes which have sprung up since the reopening of the Manchester canal system in the late 1980s. Craft villages, street markets, food and drink stalls, live music at Dukes 92, steel bands, ballet, various ethnic dance troops as well as jugglers, tumblers and fire-eaters!
Organised by the Castlefield Management Company and backed by the City Council and the Manchester Development Corporation, as well as guest sponsors.
For further information contact : Telephone : 0161-834 4026.

Situated on Liverpool Road at the major access point to Castlefield, is the Castlefield Centre, providing both information and guidance to visitors to the Castlefield basins. It houses a small permanent exhibition on the history and development of the area and provides up-to-date maps and a wide range of leaflets and brochures giving details of all that Castlefield has to offer. The Centre is open 7 days a week. The Castlefield Centre is the home base of the Castlefield Management Company and the Urban Ranger Service, both of which serve to maintain and protect the amenities of Castlefield. Rangers patrol the basin ensuring that the canals and towpaths are kept clear of debris, as well as offering guided tours and providing on the spot information to visitors. Guided "Blue Badge" tours of Castlefield are provided every Wednesday and Sunday throughout the summer season. As we write, Manchester's Castlefield basin is being constantly improved and renewed, for the pedestrian, and for the numerous boatmen who moor up in security, thanks largely to the Central Manchester Development Corporation.