(Image: National Trust)
The magical lantern walk in the heart of Manchester city centre worth a visit this Christmas
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a walk through a lantern-lit sky garden
by Liv Clarke · Manchester Evening NewsThis December you can take a stroll illuminated by lanterns in Manchester’s only sky park. During the festive season Castlefield Viaduct is hosting ‘Lantern Lates’, which will see the garden transformed into a ‘magical and sparkling grotto’.
Visitors are invited to escape the hustle and bustle of the city’s streets and immerse themselves in this slice of nature tucked among the skyscrapers of Castlefield. The garden will be illuminated from 3.30pm to 5pm every day as night falls, providing a new way of experiencing this unique green space.
Lantern Lates were originally launched last year, but it was only open to bookings. However, this year there’s no need to book and you can just turn up - it’s the perfect place to stop by and relax if you’re getting stressed out by Christmas shopping.
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It’s not the only thing happening at Castlefield Viaduct this winter. On selected dates in December it will be running a Winter Garden Tour, where visitors can discover the stories behind some of the winter plants on display at the garden. The tours are free but you do need to book.
From December 11 until January 1, the viaduct’s visitor building is being turned into a ‘Cosy Corner’ with books, board games and easy crafts to do. It’s a tranquil spot where visitors are invited to unwind, curl up with a book or simply enjoy the view.
Castlefield Viaduct is a disused railway viaduct which originally opened in 1893 and closed in 1969. It opened as a temporary green space, run by the National Trust, in July 2022.
Initially running as a year-long pilot scheme, the garden has proved so popular that it has been extended to autumn 2024. There are also plans for a 1km-long ‘garden bridge’ in the works.
The viaduct will be open all the way through the winter holidays until Tuesday, January 2. There are the regular booked morning tours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays or you can take a winter wander after 12.30pm those days and all day Wednesdays, weekends and Bank Holidays. The viaduct will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.