[1] From exiting the venue, turn left down Princess Street, staying on left hand side of the pavement. Cross Princess Street using the lights at the junction with Whitwoth Street and continue along the right hand side of the pavement. Turn right onto Charles Street and walk all the way to the end, passing the BBC on the left.
(A) New Broadcasting House is the regional headquarters of the BBC in the North West of England. It was established in 1976, to replace the earlier Broadcasting House in Piccadilly. With the BBC relocating to Salford Quays in 2011 the building’s future is uncertain.
[2] Cross Oxford Road using the lights. Proceed forward onto Hulme Street, walk to the end, passing Macintosh Mills (with its tall chimney) on the right.
(B) Constructed in the 1820’s, this is where Glaswegian Charles Macintosh created his famous coat. The site was taken over by Dunlop, who continued to manufacture rubber products until 2000.
[3] You need to turn right onto Medlock Street. To do this you’ll first need to turn left and cross via the subway, heading towards the Premier Inn. Use the left hand pavement and turn left onto Little Peter Street and walk all the way to the end. Turn left onto and cross “Minor” Deansgate. Turn right through the brick square archway at Deansgate Quay (just before the car park), to come out at the canal.
[4] Turn left along the towpath, passing Choice bar & restaurant on the left. Cross the wooden footbridge, turn right and cross the canal using the spectacular white footbridge – it’s not only London that has a bouncing bridge!
(C) The magnificent railway viaducts are valued and treasured local landmarks but this has not always been so. Their construction was very controversial. Once, the only way to access the city was through largely built up areas, the railway companies therefore used these huge structures to carry the traffic past the city, almost obliterating the ancient Roman site that lay in their way!
[5] At Catalan Square, proceed to the cobbled road and turn left under the brick railway viaduct. Turn right onto Duke Street (not signed) under the iron viaduct, and then under another brick railway viaduct. Castlefield’s Roman fort is on the left. Turn right onto the cobbled Beaufort Street (not signed). Turn left through the ‘Roman’ archway, opposite the Roman mural, into the park.
[6] Proceed towards The White Lion Pub. Exit the park and turn right onto Liverpool Road. Walk to the end and cross Deansgate using the lights and proceed forward down Great Bridgewater Street. Walk to the end, under the huge railway viaduct. Cross Lower Mosley Street using the lights and turn left down Lower Mosley Street.
[7] Pass Bridgewater Hall on the right. At the end of the building, turn right, passing the Barbiroli Statue and the Ishinki Touchstone. Go down the steps to the magnificent canal square. Keep to the right over the wooden walkway. Follow the canal (ignore the steps on the right), passing under Bridgewater Street.
(D) The Bridgewater Hall is an international concert venue, which cost 42 million to build, and is home to The Halle Orchestra. Its special ‘earthquake-proof’ foundations insulate it from the noise and vibration of the adjacent busy road and tramway.
[8] Turn right at the junction with the main canal (Lock 89), turning immediately left over the bridge. Turn left and follow the canal towpath, effectively ending up on the opposite side. Pass under Oxford Road (Bridge 98), with its spectacular locks. Pass under Princess Street (Bridge 97) and come off the towpath here to join Princess Street, by The New Union pub and finish.