The underrated UK attraction that tourists compare to New York – and it’s completely free to visit
AN ATTRACTION in the north of England has been compared to a popular tourist spot in New York City.
The newly-reopened Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester has been likened to New York’s famous High Line by a number of visitors.
Similar to New York’s urban garden trail, the old Victorian viaduct recently reopened after several years of work.
Originally created by the same engineers behind the Blackpool Tower in 1892, the site closed in the 1960s and became derelict.
But according the abandoned site has been transformed by the National Trust in recent years.
Even before it opened to the public in 2022, the urban garden was always meant to resemble its counterpart in the Big Apple.
More than 3,000 plants were added to the urban garden including trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Inside the viaduct, there are several garden areas including the Welcome Area which provides information about the plants.
There are also seasonal highlights including densely planted ferns and grasses in the summer and roses in the winter.
Like the High Line in New York, Castlefield Viaduct gives locals and tourists a slice of nature in the heart of a bustling city.
And ever since it opened, visitors have been raving about the little-known attraction on social media.
In a video on TikTok, travel expert Emma Cooke, who is known as petite.blondine, said: “Did you know the UK now has its own version of the New York High Line?
“The atmosphere is super peaceful with occasional trains trundling past, the whole thing is so unexpected and it’s totally free to enter.”
Meanwhile Abi White described the sky park as a “beautiful urban garden, which is full of wildlife and flowers.”
People have also shared their experience of visiting the Manchester Sky Park on TripAdvisor.
One person wrote: “Castlefield Viaduct is a long disused railway viaduct, which has been now turned into a green urban park that’s clearly based on the High Line in New York.”
While another added: “It’s a great example of how wasted space can be turned into something for wildlife. I think the National Trust have done a great job at transforming the space.”
Castlefield Viaduct lies in the heart of Manchester.
It can be reached on a tram from Manchester Piccadilly to Deansgate – Castlefield with a one-way ticket costing £1.40 for a full-paying adult.
From the tram stop, the viaduct is a short four-minute walk away.
Castlefield Viaduct is open from 11am to 4pm every day.
While entry is completely free, visitors can book a guided tour of the viaduct to learn more about its history.
Events are also held at the viaduct too including a musical performance by Manchester-based poet Shirley May and producer Busha Mann.
This is a first of a series of events that will be taking place at Castlefield this summer with other gigs set to be announced.
Tickets for the event are £10 and should be booked in advance online.
Other activities include talks and creative sessions including apple juice pressing, foraged cocktail making, and storytelling.
This isn’t the first time that somewhere in the UK has been compared to part of America.
The traditional seaside town of Skegness has been compared to Las Vegas because of its arcades, nightlife, and sandy beaches.
Sun Online Travel recently visited Manchester for a cheap city break.