Eccles was once a separate village but has long been enveloped in Manchester's urban sprawl. Its parish church, medieval in origin but tinkered with plenty by the Victorians is still entirely recognizable though. It is surrounded by urban motorways, tower blocks, railways, trams, rather run down post-war shopping streets and the Manchester Ship Canal. It is by no means England's most picturesque corner, but looked pleasant enough with a bit of overdue spring blossom.