We do like a good museum, from those old-fashioned slightly dusty numbers (who shall remain nameless) to the hipper variety, such as Manchester Museum, which of all UK museums arguably does the best job in combining a historic collection with 21st-century details. Greater Manchester is studded with gems, from the sprawling Science and Industry Museum to the small but perfectly-formed Police Museum. Read our picks of the best here.
Manchester Museum has always been a place of wonder – it’s one of those glorious Victorian-era venues with a smorgasbord of fascinating collections crammed into a building within the complex of The University of Manchester. Now, following a £15 million transformation – as part of its ‘Hello Future’ project – the Museum moves into a brand new phase in its rich history.
The national museum of democracy couldn’t have a better home than the radical city of Manchester, birthplace of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and universal suffrage.
The Science and Industry Museum is housed in the buildings of the world’s first inter-city passenger railway; this sprawling, interactive land of scientific exploration is also undergoing a multi million pound restoration project to reveal how ideas change the world.
The National Football Museum attracted 100,000 visitors in the first six weeks of opening. It continues to be hugely popular – expect football-related displays and exhibitions, a café and an extensive shop.
IWM North was designed by Daniel Libeskind, whose beautiful waterfront building was based on a globe shattered by war and houses a permanent collection, special exhibitions and events that consider the many ways conflict shapes society.
In recent years Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has been lovingly restored; you can now sit at her desk, see where Charlotte Brontë hid behind the curtains, and have tea in the downstairs café.
At the Greater Manchester Police Museum you can stand in the dock, see make-shift riot weapons – such as a soap in a sock – and try the feel of a wooden pillow.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery is a friendly city museum close to Peel Park with special appeal to families; the highlight is Lark Hill Place, a charming Victorian Street installation.
Recently declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is a great day out for all the family and home to the Bluedot Festival.
Stockport museums are beginning a phased reopening of their sites. The first to re-open were Bramall Hall and Stockport Air Raid Shelters. You must book tickets in advance to allow for managed visitor numbers.
A visit to Quarry Bank in Cheshire is a must for anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the North West.
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is widely considered to be the birthplace of the co-operative movement.
Science and Industry Museum has reopened with some fascinating new exhibitions that show off the ongoing multi-million-pound expansion project.
The National Football Museum is now open to the public, ready to show off its impressive array of football-related exhibits and activities.
Lectures and talks about literature and philosophy.
The Manchester Museum isn’t one of the UK’s leading university museums for nothing – it has six million objects in its stores, including a full size T-Rex skeleton, and that’s just for starters.
The Pankhurst Centre houses a small museum and heritage centre that remains as a legacy to the Pankhurst family and the Suffragette movement born in this city.
Built on a former bomb site and designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, a visit to this iconic museum provides an unforgettable experience for all ages.
This beautiful building holds temporary exhibitions of acclaimed international art, contemporary and historical collections, handcrafted art in the Art Shop and Tina’s tea rooms. Alongside this runs a varied events, workshop and education programme.
People’s History Museum, the home of ‘ideas worth fighting for’, is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the history of British democracy.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery is a friendly city museum close to Peel Park with special appeal to families; the highlight is Lark Hill Place, a charming Victorian Street installation.
Gallery Oldham provides a wide range of exhibitions and activities targeted at different audiences of all ages within Oldham and the surrounding area.
Carved into the natural sandstone cliffs, the intriguing network of underground tunnels offers visitors an unparalleled insight into life in wartime Britain in the 1940’s.
Top hats, bowlers, trilbies …. who doesn’t love a hat? Visit the UK’s only collection devoted to hats which celebrates Stockport’s role in the hatting industry.
Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.
The world's at your fingertips with free history, art, science and creative capers for all ages in Manchester.
Manchester is strong with the breakfast force, and has some impressive form where brunch is concerned. Here’s our pick of the city’s morning glories.
There are more green spaces in Manchester than you might think. We've picked out some of the best parks and gardens in and around the city.
Looking for a laugh? Here are Manchester's very best comedy nights.
The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.
The North of England is blessed with countless stunning stately homes, many dating back decades and even centuries. Here are some of the very best.
Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so of course there are a few go-tos for books. Read our guide to discover the best places to pick them up.
Manchester's restaurants are bending over backwards to create deals that take the sting out of eating out. Here are the best of the bunch for January.
Whether you’re a proud vegan or merely curious, let us guide you towards the best vegan food in Manchester for Veganuary.
Take a look at our top recommendations for restaurants and bars to check out this spring.
Take me there
We've got lots of live literature to check out and plenty of other opportunities for writers and readers alike as the clocks go back...
Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.
Ealing Studios and the best of Ryan Gosling are amongst our film highlights this month.
From creative activities, poo-themed science and family theatre, check out our latest picks of fun things to do with the family.
Gazing longingly towards the good times that will accompany the surely imminent sun, we take a look at the best music festivals coming up in Manchester and Salford.
Take a look at our top recommendations for restaurants and bars to check out this spring.
Traditional painting takes a step back this month to make way for some excellent photography, sculpture and multimedia exhibitions around the North.
Try something new, explore somewhere different, learn a new skill with our tours and activities guide.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
The best food and drink options in Manchester and the North to visit in 2024.
