Discover Salford's Stories and Places
Your guide to the best walks, pubs, food, and history across Salford, Eccles, Swinton, Walkden, Worsley, Irlam and beyond.
Salford’s got edge, but it’s also got soul. A borough built on working-class pride and river grit, where canals meet creativity and Victorian terraces sit beside steel and glass. It’s not pretending to be something it’s not. It’s proud, punchy and packed with places to explore. From leafy Worsley to the old docks, from Swinton’s markets to Eccles cake history, this place holds stories in every corner. Whether you’re here for a walk, a pint, a gig or a bit of peace by the canal, this guide’s for you.
Salford at a Glance
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Top picks for: Canalside walks, real ale pubs, indie food, history, football culture, green escapes
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Easy access from: Manchester city centre, Warrington, Bolton
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Local legends: LS Lowry, Shaun Ryder, The Fall, the BBC at MediaCity, Eccles cakes
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Underrated gem: Clifton Country Park, with woodland trails, lakes and riverside views
Must-Visit Places in Salford
Explore some of Towns of Salford
Eccles
Famous for its cakes, market and friendly character. Full of old-school charm and a strong sense of community.
Swinton
Civic heart of the borough with high streets, parks and plenty of pubs.
Walkden
Retail hub with links to green space and nearby Worsley. Great for shopping and a pint.
Worsley
Leafy and picturesque. Canals, old halls and walking trails make it a top weekend spot.
Irlam & Cadishead
Often overlooked, but packed with community pride. The station building café and heritage centre is a gem.
Little Hulton
Former mining village with views, trails and working-class roots.
Where to Eat in Salford & Beyond
Pier Eight
Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
Stylish waterside restaurant offering modern British dishes with scenic views before or after a show
Playfoots Café & Bar
175 Monton Road, Eccles, Salford M30 9GS England
Independent café with a massive selection for breakfast and brunch, dog friendly and attentive staff
Vero Moderno
Unit 4 Vimto Gardens Chapel Street, Salford M3 5JF
Family-run Italian spot just off Chapel Street. Handmade pasta, generous portions, and a warm welcome every time.
Porta
216 Chapel Street Bexley Square, Salford M3 6BY
Cozy tapas spot praised for reliable small plates and wine, consistently popular in local listings.
Karahi Wok
207 Langworthy Road, Salford M6 5PW
A small fine dine restaurant in the heart of modern salford near to the salford university and media city.
The Glass House
Walkden Road Worsley College, Worsley, Salford M28 7QD
The Glass House at Worsley offers fine dining within a contemporary and relaxed environment. The restaurant is run by Hospitality and Culinary Arts students from Salford city college.
Where to Drink in Salford & Beyond
The Northern Type
23 Church St, Eccles, Manchester M30 0DF
Modern craft beer bar in the heart of Monton. Clean lines, good lighting, and a rotating lineup of local brews.
The Grapes
27 Church Street, Eccles, Salford M30 0BJ
Traditional pub with history and atmosphere. A solid pint and proper community feel.
The Old Pint Pot
Adelphi Street, Salford M3 6EN
Loved by students and locals alike, especially in summer for its riverside terrace and relaxed live-music vibe.
Queens Arms
120 Green Ln, Eccles, Manchester M30 0SH
Friendly, old-school pub with strong locals, pool, darts and honest pints. No frills, all charm.
Stanley Arms
295 Liverpool Rd, Eccles, Manchester M30 0QN
A Grade II listed Irish-style pub with a stunning historic interior. Real ale, timeless charm, and a local institution.
The Boathouse
Ferry Rd, Irlam, Manchester M44 6DN
Riverside pub with a big beer garden and views of the Manchester Ship Canal. Good stop on a sunny day.
Built on Grit and Green
From industrial might to community pride
Salford helped build the modern world. The Bridgewater Canal changed how goods moved. The Manchester Ship Canal brought the sea to the city’s edge. Textile mills, factories and docklands powered the region’s growth, and the borough’s working-class backbone kept it all moving. But Salford was never just machinery and smoke - it was neighbourhoods, voices, unions, chapels and matchday roars. It was people making do, looking out for each other, building from the ground up.
That grit lives on. You see it in the brick terraces of Ordsall and Weaste. You hear it in Monton’s coffee shops and Eccles’ market traders. It’s in the banners that still march on May Day, the rugby chants that echo across Barton, the way every corner of the borough has its own story to tell. And it’s not all concrete either - Salford is one of the greenest boroughs in Greater Manchester. Peel Park, Buile Hill, Clifton Country Park, Blackleach, the Loopline - places where nature has quietly reclaimed old industry and made space to breathe.
Today, the borough’s changing again. Salford Quays gleams with glass and light, MediaCity beams out to the world, and artists, students, and young families are moving into places once written off. But the spirit underneath remains the same. This is still a borough that backs itself. It’s not flash. It’s not polished. But it’s real. And that goes a long way.
Recommended Walk: Quays to Worsley
Start at Salford Quays. Follow the canal paths through Monton and Eccles, ending in Worsley. A proper mix of modern and historic, with pub stops all the way.
Insider Tips
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Monton is packed with independent bars and cafes, especially on weekends
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Best Eccles cakes are still found at the market stalls
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BBC tours at MediaCity are surprisingly decent
Plan Your Visit
Salford doesn't beg for attention, but it's got plenty to say. It's a borough with music in its bones, stories in its bricks and a proper welcome round every corner. Give it a day or two, and it'll win you over.
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