Although you'd be forgiven for thinking it dates back to the 1820s, the time of the historic warehouses around it, The Wharf is actually a beautiful modern purpose-built pub which originally opened in 1998 and traded until 2005 as 'Jackson's Wharf', before Brunning & Price spectacularly re-opened it in July 2012.

Although it is a large building, there are innumerable nooks and crannies so you can find cosy, intimate rooms and alcoves, or more buzzy, dynamic areas if you prefer.

Downstairs is more pubby in style, including all those elements that make the traditional British pub feel special – open fires, bookcases, good old furniture, lots of prints, rugs and plants, and oak floors, and a really buzzy, chatty and civilised atmosphere.

The Wharf has the feel of a classic country pub, with the bar right at the heart of the operation with up to 12 cask ales on tap, a decent wine list of some 50 bins and a back shelf crammed with over a hundred malt whiskies.

What you won’t find is television, loud music, gaming machines or pool tables.

Upstairs at The Wharf, you will find another bar with a galleried restaurant, leather chairs aplenty and full table service. There are hidden alcoves and galleries up and down, and an outside balcony with panoramic views over the canal basin.

The large terrace outside has stunning views out over the Castlefield canal basin, and there's also a large boules court for when the sun eventually arrives.

At the heart of The Wharf though, is a restaurant with a passion that lies in finding quality ingredients and preparing, cooking and presenting them in a modern but unpretentious way.

The menu has a spine of freshly prepared, classic British dishes, complemented by more exotic influences from other parts of the world - in other words, modern British cookery.

The Wharf's wine list has about 50 carefully chosen wines from around the world. It's naturally a bit biased to Old World wines, but you’ll find something for everybody, whatever your tastes or pocket, and there are plenty of quaffers by the glass.

There is parking for around 35 or so cars, and dogs of the well behaved and on-the leash variety are welcome away from dining areas.

Whilst The Wharf is primarily an adult’s environment, children are welcome in areas away from the bar. There are changing facilities and high chairs available, although due to its nature, The Wharf is not very suitable for babies and toddlers in the evenings.

Bookings are taken for diners, although there is always room for customers who are not able to book in advance, so if you have not made a reservation, it's not the end of the world..

The Wharf sits in the heart of Castlefield, a beautiful Conservation Area and Urban Heritage Park in Manchester city centre which boasts a rich industrial history.

As the terminus of the Bridgewater Canal, the world’s first industrial canal built in 1764, with the oldest canal warehouse being built here in 1779, it is recognised as marking the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

The Museum of Science & Industry is just across the footbridge and The Wharf is ideal for pre-theatre dining, with The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Opera House and Palace Theatre all just a short walk away.

The Lowry, Imperial War Museum North and both Manchester United and Lancashire County Cricket Club's Old Trafford stadiums are just a short walk, or canal boat ride, down the Bridgewater Canal.

The Wharf Manchester Walking Trail. Love pubs? Like walking? iFootpath have kindly created a circular walk from the pub to help you work up that thirst/appetite. Click here for trail map