Places to see, things to do

NORTHWICH

Northwich is a city that is near to where we live that also has an interesting, historical background. Rock salt was discovered in the 1670s which led to the establishment of a number of mines in the area, but the lack of good transport links hindered progress. The solution to the problem was the Anderton Boat Lift, built in 1875, which transfered boats hydraulically between the canal and river.

Here is a picture of the boat lift - you might just be able to see a boat coming out of the lift


Subsidence became a serious problem for the town from the 1870s as brine pumping was used to extract salt from flooded mines, which led to the dramatic collapse of buildings, canals and roads. After this, new buildings were built with light timber framing which could be jacked-up if the ground gave way and, in the worst cases, they could be moved to new locations.

A major programme was launched in 1987 to stabilise the abandoned salt mines beneath Northwich.

AVIATION VIEWING PARK
Manchester Airport has an Aviation Viewing Park where you can go to watch the planes come & go.

You have to pay to enter. There are 3 wooden viewing platforms that are raised up to give you a good view over the fence, which are very popular with photographers and plane enthusiasts. There is also a restaurant that is situated next to the Concorde Hangar where you can pay extra and have a tour of the Concorde.

Here are some photos from the Aviation Viewing Park

A viewing platform with a plane going by

An Emirates plane - just landed and taxiing to the terminal

A Virgin Jumbo taking off

The Concorde hangar with restaurant through glass windows


THE TRAFFORD CENTRE SHOPPING CENTRE

The Trafford Centre is a large indoor shopping centre located in Greater Manchester. The planning process for the Trafford Centre was one of the longest and most expensive in the history of the United Kingdom. Ultimately the matter was decided by the House of Lords. The Trafford Centre was opened in 1998, after the idea was born in 1984.

It has 137,346.65 square metres of retail space and attracts 30 million visits annually. There is plenty free parking and you will find most of the shops you have come to know & love in the UK including a 4-storey Marks and Spencer. There is also a branch of Selfridges – the first Selfridges outside London.

The food hall is quite impressive – you start by going through an area with different restaurants to a large open food hall that has takeaway food all around a central seating area. It is shaped a bit like a ship.


Another part of the shopping centre is called Barton square which is linked by a glass-covered bridge. The architecture of the square is italian and includes many statues and a large fountain. There is also a campanile tower. The shops in the square are mostly homeware like Next Home, BHS Home and M&S Home.