Monsall is less than two miles north-east of Manchester city centre. It's on the north side of Queens Road, halfway between Rochdale Road and Oldham - both major routes from the north into the city. See detailed map
Living in Monsall
Monsall has benefited from a £30 million radical redevelopment in the last few years. The homes and local environment have been brought up to high modern standards. Local people have signed a 'community agreement' that commits them to protecting the area and the people who live there. It's a thriving community with a bright future.
There's a busy local shopping parade at the junction of Queens Road and Monsall Street. It's about a mile to the large Asda store and other shops at the new North City Centre complex, and a similar distance from the bars and restaurants of the 'Northern Quarter' on the edge of the city centre. The North City Centre has a variety of smaller shops and indoor market, there's a unique covered outdoor market. There's a post office and medical centre too. The centre is the place to come for a whole range of shops, as well as special Sure Start facilities for families with young children. There’s a new leisure and fitness centre, with a modern swimming pool, fitness suite and dance studio. A brand new police station is helping build a safe and secure atmosphere.
There's good public transport, with regular buses along Queens Road, Rochdale Road and Oldham Road - the vibrant city centre, with its shops, entertainment and leisure facilities is just a few minutes journey. And things could get even better if the Metrolink tram system is extended to the heart of the area - with fast, frequent trams into the city centre from a new station on Monsall Street.
Monsall is right next door to the new Central Manchester Business park - an exciting venture that’s boosting the local economy and offering new jobs and training opportunities. And it's only a mile to the City of Manchester stadium and other sporting and recreational facilities in Eastlands - including the new 'East Manchester town centre' between Alan Turing Way and Ashton New Road.
Monsall's nearest indoor leisure centre is on Varley Street in neighbouring Miles Platting - it has swimming pools and a fitness room. Queens Park, on the north side of Queens Road has a hall, gallery, museum, playground, formal gardens and open parkland. The Thornton Street estate has a park at Churnett Street with a kickabout area and multicourts. There's a recreation ground on Monsall Road. The nearest library, 'Harpurhey', is on Park View, close to the Queens Road/Rochdale Road junction. The Turkey Lane and Monsall neighbourhood centre runs a playgroup, women's group, youth club and a family night. See detailed map
Learning in Monsall
Primary school age children can go to St Augustine's CofE school (St Augustine's Road) or St Edmunds Catholic school ( Monsall Road). The local day nursery for pre-school children is on Monsall Road. There's a playgroup at the Monsall neighbourhood centre, and a nursery school a little further away on Teignmouth Avenue (over Queens Rd) for two to five year-olds.
Find out more about council-run nurseries in this area. Go to Finding a Children's Centre.
There are no secondary schools in the area - the nearest are Our Lady's Catholic school in Blackley, Abraham Moss in Crumpsall, St Matthews Catholic school in Moston, and North Manchester High for Girls in Moston.
Find out more about this area's schools and how well they perform. Go to Manchester Schoolfinder.
The nearest adult education centres are at the Abraham Moss centre in Crumpsall, and Victoria Mill in Miles Platting.
Find out more about adult education.
Housing in Monsall
The Monsall redevelopment means that as well as council homes, there is plenty of housing rented from four or five different not-for-profit landlords like housing associations. There are about 450 council homes here - all managed by Northwards Housing. About 170 of them are houses with two- or three-bedrooms, while 70 more have at least four bedrooms. There are 180 flats in three multi-storey blocks. There are a few one-bedroom flats in small blocks, and some maisonettes too. Most homes are only available to people who are at least 25 years old. It's a settled community that has become much more popular since the improvements were finished. See detailed map
Northwards Housing has a £130 million improvement plan that will bring all homes, and local environments, up to decent modern standards by 2010. Every Northwards home will benefit from some of this work by 2008.
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