Secret Garden

An experimental project by the National Trust, the Castlefield Viaduct- Manchester is designed to test trial its new Greening the City initiative, prettying industrial sites to tell the history of places which would otherwise go unvisited and giving them a new lease of life to tell the workingclass history of England. The Castlefield Viaduct was built in 1852 so that trains could transport imported Indian cotton from Liverpool to the Central Station (now known as GMEX) on to the great mills which processed it, then returning it for finishing. Made redundant very quickly by the newer and better-connected Manchester Piccadilly Station, the viaduct lay derelict for nearly a hundred and twenty years.

Now the National Trust, in collaboration with Manchester City Council, has created an oasis of green and calm above the city with glorious areas of mixed plants, herb gardens, shrubs, and trees transforming this old industrial structure. It even includes a small pond where a family of ducks lay eggs (causing the National Trust staff to name them Viaducks!).

It’s easy to reach either on foot from Deansgate by climbing a few flights of steps, or by taking the lift. There is also the option of using the Metrolink Tram which stops at Deansgate - Castlefield Station. To find the new spot there is just a short walk running parallel to the tramline to enter the venue. Despite its National Trust status, there is no charge for visiting this summer, you can also book free conducted tours online from enthusiastic guides which add greatly to the experience.

Currently the National Trust has been able to develop 330 meters of the Viaduct, with grand plans to work on the remaining length which could eventually see it reach his inability to view life in any way than scientific. There is so much hilarity among the tragedy but his inadequacies outweigh his learned strengths. He can show his son how the universe works, but forgets to protect him from porn sites. He can pack them both for camp, but can't connect with his daughters distress when she is exploited by viral social media.

In short, he isn't up to the job and Libby subtly points that out, while we see her inability to deal with her own overbearing husband and the comfortable lifestyle so destructive of her own creativity.

Later Rachel returns, presumably to have another go at the marriage. I would love a sequel and a second series, if only to find out how a woman with no peer or psychological support balances the drive for financial success with the care of her family.

Pomona Metrolink Station near Media City. It currently has permission to remain until September 2024, though there are hopes the Viaduct will become a permanent feature of Manchester. But right now, the transformation allows you to see the canals and enjoy a good view of the Castlefield area and have a peaceful picnic close to the busiest corner of town without hearing any vehicle noise.

The National Trust CEO is determined to bring the countryside into City Centre areas to enable a generation of people who can't enjoy country houses to places like the Viaduct which sit right on their doorstep. If this is an example of the National Trust’s ambition it is certainly on the right track. Nationaltrust.org.uk