Over 140 Years of History
Campfield has been a cornerstone of public life in Manchester for over 140 years, serving as a vibrant hub for locals and attracting visitors from far and wide. Its iconic architecture and prime location have made the Campfield buildings household names, housing various functions across decades – from fresh food markets to trading floors, exhibition centres to wartime factories, and even an aeronautical museum to a theatrical venue. These buildings have always been spaces of purpose, fostering community and cementing their place in Manchester’s rich heritage.
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Photograph showing the empty interior of the building in 1922. The cavernous open space within the Lower Campfield Market building made it a useful space. Image from Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives – Science and Industry Museum.
HISTORY OF CAMPFIELD
The Campfield campus is carefully designed to offer a highly flexible and diverse array of spaces, empowering businesses in the tech and creative sectors to innovate on a global stage.
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Illustration of the covered Lower and Upper Campfield Market Halls by architects Mangnall and Littlewoods from The British Architect and Northern Engineer, March 1877. Image from Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives – Science and Industry Museum.
1878
Original Design
The Upper and Lower Campfield Market Halls were designed by the Manchester architectural firm Mangnall and Littlewood. Positioned on either side of St. Matthew’s Church, which stood between the halls until its demolition in 1951, the market complex was completed in 1878.
The Lower Campfield Market Hall was initially an open-sided, canopied structure located at Camp Field – a site historically known for bustling markets and fairs near the major railway goods yard, now the location of the Science & Industry Museum.
Both halls began as fresh produce markets open to the public. However, the Lower Campfield Market Hall quickly evolved into a venue for travelling exhibitions, hosting notable events like the 1882 ‘Smoke Abatement Exhibition’. By 1900, it ceased functioning as a market and was enclosed to create a more versatile exhibition space, later transforming into the City Exhibition Hall in 1909. Meanwhile, the Upper Campfield Market retained its role as a cheese and vegetable market.
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Traders and customers haggle at the Upper Campfield Market cheese and vegetable market in 1926. Image from Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives – Science and Industry Museum.
1920
Wartime Contributions
During both First and Second World Wars, Lower Campfield was repurposed as an indoor parade ground for the Manchester Pals Battalions and, later, as a place for testing fuses for explosive shells.
Between the wars, from 1920 to 1939, the hall hosted vibrant displays for Manchester’s textile, engineering, and commercial industries, including the 1938 Manchester Centenary Exhibition. The Manchester Parks Service even transformed it into an indoor park with a working fountain to celebrate civic achievements.
During World War II, the hall’s vast size made it ideal for testing barrage balloons, once again playing a vital role in the war effort. After the war, it briefly served the Ministry of Labour, training soldiers and sailors in new trades.
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As City Hall in 1961. Image from the Town Hall Photographer’s Collection, Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives – Science and Industry Museum.
1945
Post-War Renaissance
After 1945, the Lower Campfield Market re-emerged as a popular exhibition venue, hosting trade shows like the Brighter Homes and Ideal Homes exhibitions. Through the 1950s and 1960s, it became a go-to destination for modern lifestyle displays, offering Mancunians a glimpse of the future.
In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, the building was awarded Grade II listed status by English Heritage in 1974. However, a devastating fire in 1977 severely damaged the east end of the building. Facing the prospect of demolition, Manchester City Council chose instead to restore it, repurposing it as the Manchester Air & Space Museum.
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Lower Campfield Gallery Hall, 1982. Photograph by Dr Alan Curry. Courtesy of the Science & Industry Museum – Science and Industry Museum.
1983
The Manchester Air & Space Museum
Opening in March 1983, the Manchester Air & Space Museum celebrated the city’s contributions to aviation. Aircraft exhibits, borrowed from institutions such as the RAF Museum, were displayed within the restored Victorian market hall. By 1985, the museum became part of the Science & Industry Museum as the Air and Space Hall, delighting visitors with its impressive collection of full-size aircraft and engaging exhibits.
The hall also became a versatile venue for special events, including gigs, fairs, art installations, and whisky tastings, solidifying its place as a cultural hotspot until its closure in 2020.
Campfield February 2025. Refurbishment underway in the central atrium of Campfield. @ Allied London.
2025
Campfield today & the future
The Campfield Campus is a movement to redefine what’s possible in tech and creative industries, setting a new global standard for innovation excellence. At the heart of this new era, Campfield is helping Manchester shape the future one groundbreaking idea at a time.
Importantly, it’s once again open for social gatherings and for the public to enjoy. These historically significant buildings are now playing an integral part in the next generation of artistic and creative output from the UK’s most forward-thinking businesses.
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The City Exhibition Hall in 1914. This photo was taken just one month before the First World War. Image from Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives – Science and Industry Museum.
1909
The City Exhibition Hall
As Manchester’s City Exhibition Hall, the Lower Campfield building hosted a variety of trade shows and entertainment events, from a Cinderella Dolls Show to a Grocers’ Exhibition. Its spacious interior became a focal point for public gatherings and creative displays.