Visit
Want to know how to get to Aviva Studios, what to expect, how to book tickets or who to ask for a little extra help? You’ve come to the right place.
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Our location
The full address of the venue is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ and what3words is chop.feeds.chase.
Opening hours
Notice
We’re taking a short break while we put the finishing touches to our new home – ready for our official opening this autumn with our Matrix-inspired show, Free Your Mind (18 October to 5 November).
From 26 September, our ground floor foyer and café bar the Social is back open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 9pm.
Travel Information
Tram services run frequently throughout the day. You can check the first and last tram times on the tram schedule webpage. It's easy to use – just tap in and out using contactless or purchase a ticket at the machines. Plan your journey here.
Our closest stations are:
Salford Central station: 0.4 miles
Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles
(Step-free access to platforms via a lift from the corner of Deansgate and Whitworth St West)
St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles
(Step-free, ramp access to all platforms)
Manchester Victoria station is approximately one mile from Aviva Studios.
Manchester Piccadilly station is approximately 1.3 miles from Aviva Studios.
Click on the links above to find detailed access information for each station.
By Bike
There will be 40 bike parking spaces at the building. National Cycling Route 6 passes close to the building and the this TfGM webpage can help with route planning.
You can also hire bikes from on-street docking stations across the city centre. The closest docking stations to our venue are currently on Deansgate by Liverpool Road and (400m from the building) and by King Street (500m from the building). Take a look at Transport for Greater Manchester’s webpage for advice on cycle hire.
By Walking and Other Active Means
The building can be approached along Water Street via Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).
If you're coming from Quay Street, the safest route to avoid construction works is via the cut-through opposite Gartside Street and past Booking.com.
All footways in the surrounding area are well lit and there are appropriate crossings across all main roads.
Pedestrians with visual impairment are recommended to approach the building via Water Street, from Liverpool Road. This route has traditional carriageway and footway design with fixed street furniture which should help with navigation to the entrance.
Closer to opening, the wider area will have signage to direct anyone on foot to the most appropriate routes.
A footbridge at Left Bank in Spinningfields provides an accessible link across the River Irwell to Salford Central station, and a further footbridge also links Aviva Studios with the Salford area of Middlewood Locks.
Bus Routes
There are 14 bus routes into Manchester which pass within 0.3 miles of Aviva Studios. Many stop on Bridge Street, north of the building parallel to Quay Street.
Bus routes which stop on Bridge Street include services to:
- Bolton (8/ 36 / 37)
- Leigh (V1 / V2)
- Warrington (100)
Please visit the Travel for Greater Manchester website for the latest bus routes and times.
Metroshuttle Free Bus
The Metroshuttle buses are free bus services that operate around the city centre. They are highly branded and accessible for wheelchair users.
Route 1 passes the North end of Water Street along Quay Street, approximately 0.12 miles from Aviva Studios. It then passes down Lower Byrom Street by the Science and Industry Museum.
There is a car park approximately 0.6 miles from the building entrance at Water Street Car Park, New Elm Rd, Manchester, M3 4JH.
There is also a NCP car park (Manchester Spinningfields) approximately 0.5 miles away from the venue at Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE. It has 35 accessible bays.
There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces along Water St and Quay St. Otherwise head towards Liverpool Road, Great John St and Lower Byrom St – close to our neighbours, the Science and Industry Museum where there are a small number of additional Blue Badge spaces.
For a list of other parking bays available in the area, visit Manchester City Council website.
Booking tickets
Our building is free to visit but many of our events and exhibitions will require you to book a ticket in advance.
Visit our What's On page for all the latest listings where you will be able to individually book tickets for events.
Tickets are also available to book over the phone. You can contact our Ticketing team at the below:
tickets@factoryinternational.org
Phone: 0333 322 8679
Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm and Saturday from 10am to 6pm
Experience culture together with Factory International’s group tickets.
Whether you’re a school, social group or just a group of family and friends, we want you to enjoy our year-round programme of events at Aviva Studios.
To book for groups of 10 or more, please contact groups@factoryinternational.org or call 0161 817 4531 (phone lines are open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
Access
From free tickets for Personal Assistants to priority seating and a variety of accessible performances, Aviva Studios is open to all. If you are thinking of visiting us, head over to our Access area for more information.
Members Get More
Want to save with exclusive offers and discounts across Aviva Studios? Become a Factory International Member today and get 10% off in our bars, cafe and shop – plus many more perks.
Eat, Drink, Shop
FAQs
Got a question? Check out our FAQs page for info on everything from what you can bring to booking tickets.