First to reveal the sporting Victorian past of Salford Quays' MediaCityUK
9 November 2025
This week, a BBC article and podcast episode I produced and presented, uncovering the Victorian history of MediaCityUK, has been published.
The first journalist to detail Salford Quays’ history before it became docks, I explored the turn of the 20th century at what is now home to some of the UK’s biggest media organisations and businesses.
Originally New Barns Racecourse, which opened in 1868, maps I unearthed show that the home straight and grandstands are now occupied by the Ashton-Eccles Metrolink line, running through the Harbour City stop. I told the remarkable rise and demise of the racecourse in a BBC News article, as well as a Hidden Manchester podcast episode for BBC Sounds.
Sports historian Sam Oldfield and tour guide Mark Charnley helped bring the story to life, both verbally and in text, and it was fascinating to see how the area’s development reflects British and sporting history from the 19th to the 21st century.
This was a story I could not believe had not been told before. It is remarkable to gain such insight into an area that now shapes stories heard across the globe. I thoroughly enjoyed uncovering more of Salford’s history and appreciate the support from BBC North West in bringing this work to audiences.
You can read my BBC News article here, which also contains a link to the Hidden Manchester episode on BBC Sounds.