Visiting Salford, Greater Manchester, England, with its Salford University Peel Building: a sedate academic hub

The Peel Building is the headquarters of Salford University in Greater Manchester, England. This body, given its charter of incorporation in 1967, had as its antecedent the Royal Technical Institute founded in 1896 (later re-named the Royal College of Advanced Technology), which occupied the purpose-built Peel Building from its inception.

Executed in brick and terra cotta, its reddish hue causes it to stand out markedly, especially when in bright sunlight. Located in Peel Park, through which the Irwell River flows, the Peel Building is situated hardly more than 2 kilometres from Downtown Manchester.

Among the noted features of the Peel Building, designed by Henry Lord, are octagonal turrets at the main entrance's elevation, with its striking gable and window and door arching. A Victorian Concert Hall within the building seats 300. As befits an academic institution possessing such a fine example of architectural heritage, Salford University has a noted School of the Built Environment.

Other strengths of the University include cancer research and a thriving Business School.

Adjacent to the Peel Building is the Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

The founding Chancellor of the University was HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; two, subsequent Chancellors have been women, HRH the Duchess of York and Irene Zubeida Khan.

Included among the many notable alumni of Salford University, and the Royal Techinical Institute, from which the University emerged are: L. S. Lowry (1887-1976), artist well-known for his urban and industrial landscapes, created a Salford University Doctor of Letters; Sir Ben Kingsley (1943-), actor, and many others. Former faculty of the University include: David Clark (Lord Clark of Windemere) (1939-), former Cabinet Minister and Chair of the Forestry Commission, who lectured at Salford in Government and Administration; Duncan Steel (1955-), space scientist who worked with NASA, and many others.

Also worth seeing

In Greater Manchester , among the numerous, noted buildings are: Manchester University's Whitworth Hall, Oxford Road, Manchester; the neo-Classical Manchester Central Library, the Gothic-Revival Manchester Town Hall, Manchester Cathedral, and many others.

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How to get there: United Airlines flies from New York Newark to Manchester Airport (England) , where car hire is available; rail access to Salford University is via Salford Crescent railroad station, with services from Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria railroad stations. Please note that some facilities may be withdrawn without notice. You are advised to check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.