Withington

Withington is a suburb of Manchester, located about 4 miles south of Manchester city centre, near Didsbury and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. Withington is known for its vibrant community, with a mix of students from the University of Manchester and young professionals, and is close to the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal. The area is also home to the Withington Community Hospital and the Christie Hospital, a specialist cancer hospital that is part of the NHS Foundation Trust. Withington is surrounded by other suburbs, including Fallowfield, Rusholme, and Burnage, and is near the Platt Fields Park.

Geography

Withington is situated in the south of Manchester, near the Cheshire Plain and the Pennines. The area is bounded by the A6010 road to the north, the A5145 road to the east, and the River Mersey to the west. Withington is close to the Manchester Airport and the M60 motorway, which provides easy access to other parts of the North West England region, including Liverpool, Chester, and Preston. The area is also near the Peak District National Park and the Lake District National Park, making it a popular base for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy visiting places like Keswick, Ambleside, and Windermere. Withington is surrounded by other suburbs, including Didsbury, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and Burnage, and is near the Platt Fields Park and the Whitworth Park.

History

Withington has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages, when it was a small rural village surrounded by farmland and woodland. The area was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England. Withington was also an important centre for the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution, with many cotton mills and woollen mills operating in the area. The village was also home to many notable residents, including Ernest Rutherford, who was born in Brightwater, New Zealand, but lived in Withington for many years, and Alan Turing, who was born in Maida Vale, London, but worked at the University of Manchester. Withington is also close to the Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry, a theatre and arts centre located in Salford Quays.

Demographics

Withington has a diverse population of around 14,717 people, according to the 2011 UK Census. The area is popular with students from the University of Manchester and young professionals, who are attracted by the area's vibrant community and proximity to the city centre. Withington is also home to many families, who are drawn to the area's good schools, including The Barlow Roman Catholic High School and Specialist Science College and William Hulme's Grammar School. The area has a mix of housing, including Victorian terraces, semi-detached houses, and modern apartments, and is close to the Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Withington is also near the Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery, which are both part of the University of Manchester.

Economy

Withington has a thriving local economy, with a mix of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. The area is popular with students and young professionals, who are attracted by the area's vibrant nightlife and cultural scene. Withington is also home to many small businesses, including IT companies and design agencies, which are drawn to the area's proximity to the city centre and the University of Manchester. The area is also close to the Spinningfields business district and the Manchester Science Park, which are both major centres for business and innovation in the North West England region. Withington is near the MediaCityUK complex in Salford Quays, which is home to BBC North and ITV Granada, and is also close to the Trafford Park industrial estate.

Education

Withington is home to several good schools, including The Barlow Roman Catholic High School and Specialist Science College and William Hulme's Grammar School. The area is also close to the University of Manchester, which is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the UK. The university is a member of the Russell Group and is known for its academic excellence, with many notable alumni, including Nobel laureates such as Ernest Rutherford and James Chadwick. Withington is also near the Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music, which are both located in the city centre. The area is also close to the University of Salford and the University of Bolton, which are both located in the surrounding area.

Transport

Withington has good transport links, with several bus routes connecting the area to the city centre and other parts of Manchester. The area is also close to the Wilmslow Road and the A34 road, which provide easy access to the M60 motorway and the M56 motorway. Withington is also near the Manchester Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the UK and offers flights to destinations all over the world, including London Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The area is also close to the Manchester Piccadilly station and the Manchester Victoria station, which are both major railway stations with regular services to London Euston station, Birmingham New Street station, and Leeds railway station. Withington is also near the Metrolink tram network, which connects the area to other parts of Greater Manchester, including Bury, Altrincham, and Eccles. Category:Suburbs of Manchester