Trafford Tourist Information

Imperial War Museum North,  The Quays, Trafford Wharf, Trafford Park, M17 1TZ

one of the most important openings of a museum in recent times,it opened in 2002 on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal on the Trafford Wharf side of the Salford Quays.  The stunning new museum stands opposite the Lowry Centre on the Salford side to which it is connected by the spectacular Lowry Lifting Footbridge. Designed by the world-renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind, it os clad in stainless steel sheet, and constructed using free-flowing forms and asymmetrical geometry. Its design represents the globe shattered into three interlocked shards as a result of conflict on land, water and in the air.  The 'Earth Shard' forms the flexible museum building, the 'Water Shard' houses the restaurant and café (overlooking the Ship Canal) and the 'Air Shard', open to the elements, forms a towering observatory with panaramic views over the Ship Canal and the Manchester city centre skyline. Built to give a northern audience access to the Imperial War Museum's national collections, Iit focuses on how war shapes lives.   'Timeline' forms the basis of the exhibition, illustrating the change in the balance of world power from 1900 to the 21st Century.The 'Big Picture' is where walls transform into immense screens for a multi-screen, surround-sound audio-visual show using the museum's sound and image archives.  Displays of memorabilia and artifacts of war, including a Harrier Jump Jet and a Russian tank. Houses an outstanding art collection, commissioned during the two World Wars, as well as photographs, film and other documentation. The 'Silos', six partially enclosed tall spaces, stage temporary exhibitions. 
Open: every day 10:00-18:00 (closed Christmas Day) Tel: 0161 836 4064

Manchester United Tour and Museum,  Museum & Tour Centre, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, M16 0RA

founded in 1878, Manchester United has probably the largest fan following of any football club in the world.  Visitors get the chance to go behind the scenes at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.  The Museum focuses on Manchester United's triumphs, tragedies and trophies from 1878 to the present day.  Sections include the Trophy Room, the Hall of Fame, the Munich Disaster and the Treble Experience, reliving the 98/99 season - the Club's most celebrated moment. Lots of interactive displays including a virtual Old Trafford, the reflex wall and speed ball challenge. Highlights include climbing to the top of the North Stand for a breathtaking view of the pitch, sitting in the Home dressing room beside a favourite player's peg, emerging from the players' tunnel to the roar of the crowd and shouting from Sir Alex Ferguson's spot in the dugouts.  Open: daily 9:30-17:00, last entry 16:30..  Tours do not operate on home match days or the day before an European game.   Booking recommended - Tel: 0870 442 1994

Dunham Massey Hall 3 miles south-west of Altrincham, off A56

a long, low red-brick house is set round two courtyards and is still protected by the medieval moat that surrounded the earlier Tudor building. The Edwardian interiors were commissioned by William Grey, 9th Earl of Stamford. Dunham Massey is surrounded by 3,000 acres of ancient deer park enclosed by a high brick wall.
Open: House: 19 Mar-30 Oct Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 12:00 17:00 ; Garden: 19 Mar-30 Oct daily 11:00-17:30; Park:19 Mar-30 Oct daily 9:00-21:30 31 Oct-31 Mar daily 9:00-17:00 Last admission i30mins before closing. Tel: 0161 928 4351 - Infoline

Redhouse Farm, Maize Maze,  Redhouse Lane, Dunham Massey, Altrincham

on the National Trust estate of Dunham Massey, this 7 acre Maize Maze, is formed from maze, growing to over 6 feet tall. Created by designer, Adrian Fisher, the living art attraction is fun for everyone.Designs created here in recent years include Commonwealth Games logo in 2002. Other attractions nclude an Events Barn, crammed with activities, a farm shop and café. 
Open: daily from mid July- end Sept: 10:00-18:00 Tel:  0161 941 3480

Urmston Meadows, Riverside Drive, Urmston

a secluded area, alder and willow copses with meadows pastures, ditches and ponds.  The habitat is for birds that prefer woodland edges, such as goldfinches, goldfinches and thrushes. Access to the River Mersey, paths suitable for walking, cycling and horseriding. Open: all year

Sale Water Park,  Riffle Road, Trafford, M33 2LX

in the heart of the Mersey Valley, has a 35 acre lake, woodlands, meadows and two nature reserves. The Broad Ees Dole Wetland Nature Reserve, close to the lake, attracts birds such as heron, snipe and kingfisher.  The Visitor Centre Nature Reserve is also a wetland.  A viewing platform gives opportunities of observe the wildlife here. The park has well-surfaced paths around the lake for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. These paths link up with a network of other paths in the Mersey Valley. The Trans Pennine Trail also runs nearby. Activities include watersports and orienteering.  Open: all year.
Mersey Valley Visitor Centre, covering the 870 acres to the south of Manchester, from Stockport to Irlam, has an information desk, displays on the Mersey Valley and a cafe. Open: Tue-Sun Tel: 0161 905 1100

Trafford Ecology Park, Mosley Road North, Trafford Park

11 acres in Europe's largest industrial estate. The small site has habitats including a lake, 6 ponds, wetland, woodland and meadows. In 1973 the land was purchased by Esso to prevent pollutin, they removed the contaminated materials, restored the lake and restocked it with fish.  In 1983 it was sold to Trafford Borough Council as an ecology park.  Today, the award-winning park is a site of 'Biological Importance'.  Open: Mon-Fri: 9:00-17:00 Closed weekends and on Bank Holidays Tel:  0161 873 7182.

Where To Stay in Trafford

Around The Trafford Area