Due to its proximity to the city centre, almost equidistant between Manchester and MediaCity, plus the added addition of the River Irwell jutting right through it, Ordsall has seen a marked increase in attention over the last couple of years as an affordable living option for many young professionals.
As a result, developments have started to pop up here and there, with millions of pounds of investment coming into the area – creating a “booming Ordsall” that is set to be transformed even further over the coming years, with 1,000 new homes, many of which will be on the waterfront with some seriously impressive views over the river.
But what is there to do around Ordsall? Is it worth considering when it comes to living?
Arriving & Moving About
One of the most attractive things about Ordsall as a place to live is its proximity to the city centre; a quick 10 minute walk and you’re on Deansgate, ready to start strutting your stuff down the city’s most famous street.
Also a short walk away is MediaCity and Salford Quays, and all of the cultural offerings it affords, plus some impressive bars and restaurants.
The wedge that is Ordsall is also framed to the north by Regent Road, one of the busiest roads into and out of the city, which leads onto the M602 and will take you onto the M60 in ten minutes and get you to Liverpool in less than an hour.
Areas of Interest
Salford Lads Club
Probably the most famous landmark in the whole of Salford, the Lads Club shot to fame when The Smiths featured the building on the inside cover of arguably their greatest album ‘The Queen Is Dead’. Fans from all over the world flock to get their picture outside the building, but inside the team of dedicated workers and volunteers continue to host community events and activities for youngsters in the area.
Ordsall Hall
Quite possibly the most haunted place in the whole of the North West, the people that work at Ordsall Hall have even installed a live ‘GhostCam’ so you can try to catch a spooky visitor at night. Most of the paranormal activity is centred in the Star Chamber; where ‘The White Lady’ resides, searching and waiting for her twin brother to come back from battle. There’s plenty more to Ordsall Hall though, with a rich history and many community events on offer.
Ordsall Park
The second oldest park in Salford, Ordsall’s impressive green space is home to plenty of community facilities and sports areas. The land was purchased from Lord Egerton of Tatton and was opened back in 1877 – featuring a gymnasium, a large lake and a series of walks leading from a main circular area. Like many of the city’s water features, the lake is now gone, but there’s a few footy pitches, picnic areas, playground for the kids and a community garden.
Bars & Restaurants
Castlefield Basin
Just a short walk down the canal, or over the road past KFC and Maccies, you’ll find yourself in Castlefield Basin, and the wealth of bars and restaurants it offers. One of our favourites here is The Wharf, a colossal gastropub that serves a mean Roast Dinner on a Sunday, and you can’t ignore Dukes 92, home to one of the city’s best terraces and great for bevvies on the weekend. Just on the cusp you’ll find Atlas Bar and their seemingly endless supply of different gins.
MediaCityUK
Walk the other way, away from town and you’ll find yourself in MediaCity – or Salford Quays if you’ve lived here for longer than 9 years. There’s plenty here to get to grips with, including The Alchemist, The Botanist and Dockyard. Not forgetting the excellent MediaCity General Store, from the people that brought you Ancoats General Store and easily the best shop in the area for local beers, booze and goodies.
Bricklayers Arms
An absolute Ordsall classic old school boozer here – having a few pints in the Bricklayers is certainly and experience, and should be a right of passage for anyone moving into Ordsall. You get some right characters in here, but the beers are frosty, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the prices are spot on. A cracking boozer all round.
Burgerism
Called “Manchester’s best burger” by Michelin-starred chef Simon Martin of Mana, you just know that these beauties are going to be good. Burgerism is a takeaway only joint based in Ordsall and their smashed burgers are absolutely phenomenal. They found themselves filling more than 1000 orders a day during lockdown – they’re THAT GOOD!
Marble Brewery & Tap Room
Set in an Industrial Estate on the cusp of Weaste Cemetery is the Marble Beers brewery and tap room – serving up the freshest Marble brews straight out of the tank and into the tap (and then your gob) – on most weekends. They also bought themselves a brand-new purpose built wood-fired pizza oven, and host regular events, making this tap room a fully-fledged destination.
Taste of Portugal
We’re getting onto Weaste here but I’m not going to sit here and argue Local Authority area designations with you. Taste of Portugal is well worth the short walk to from Ordsall, if only because it offers up easily the biggest selection of Portuguese groceries and ingredients anywhere in the UK. They also offer a fantastic selection of fresh cakes, baked goods, desserts and dishes and those all important Pastel de Nata!
Living in Ordsall
Recent years has seen the arrival of many new apartment developments in Ordsall, most of them overlooking the River Irwell. One of the most recent is Dock5, a community made up of 384 stylish furnished and unfurnished apartments and townhouses.
Unlike the majority of the new apartment complexes in the area, any profits from Dock5 will be reinvested into the local community and to build new housing schemes to help end homelessness locally.
The first phase of the 121 homes are now available to let, so interested flat-hunters are being encouraged to book viewings now to reserve their new place and avoid disappointment. The scheme will be fully complete in 2022.
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