Hotels near Salford Quays, MediaCity and the Lowry

Manchester Docks handled ocean freight until 1982 and then closed. What replaced them is Salford Quays, and the transformation is more convincing than most waterfront regeneration schemes. The Lowry, opened in 2000 on Pier 8, holds the world's largest collection of L. S. Lowry's work - over 400 paintings and drawings - and admission to the galleries is free. Two theatres share the building. Across the ship canal, the Imperial War Museum North sits in a Daniel Libeskind building designed as three shards of a shattered globe, also free to enter.

MediaCity, home to several BBC and ITV departments since 2011, fills the space between them with studios, plazas and waterside food. Half a day is right for the area. The Detroit Swing Bridge links the Lowry to the Imperial War Museum North in about four minutes on foot.

Pro Tip: Ride the tram out and walk part of the way back along the ship canal towards Pomona. It takes about 40 minutes and gives you the industrial edge of Salford that the plazas hide.