Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
Imperial War Museum North exterior shot - host of story seekers
Image courtesy of Visit Britain

Built on a former bomb site and designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind to represent a globe shattered by conflict, the sharply jutting structure of IWM North boldly punctuates the Salford Quays waterfront. The striking building is no less impressive inside however, where a significant proportion of the Imperial War Museum national collection is held, presented alongside a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions, contemporary art and one-off events that explore the many ways in which conflict shapes society.

On permanent display in the main gallery space, a vast collection of over 2,000 objects – from a First World War field gun that fired the opening British round on the Western Front to the twisted rust-ridden steelwork retrieved from the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York – recounts the global history of war over the past 100 years. To accompany this narrative, the museum’s award-winning 360-degree cinematic Big Picture Show plays hourly nearby – an immersive surround sound and 360-degree projection with 27-foot-high walls featuring historic film footage and photographs from IWM’s vast collection. And Mixing It: The Changing Faces of War Time Britain uses specially recorded oral histories to recount forgotten histories of service personnel and civilians who came to Britain during the Second World War.

Aside from first-hand accounts, perhaps art is the most powerful medium we have to address the unfathomable traumas of war. Since 2010, IWM North has commissioned countless artworks, workshops and live performances as part of its Reactions series, which invites local and international contemporary artists to respond to the themes, architecture and collections of the museum in innovative and challenging ways. Strands of the programme are presented year-round throughout the building. In the temporary exhibition space meanwhile, an ambitious and widely-acclaimed curatorial programme addresses a diverse range of subjects relating to conflict. Some of our favourite previous exhibitions have included Wyndham Lewis: Life, Art, War and Syria: A Conflict Explored.

Greater Manchester is an appropriate location for the northern outpost of the Imperial War Museum. Trafford Park was where vital munitions, tanks and engines were produced to support the First and Second World War effort and was a main target in the Manchester Blitz. When the foundations for the museum were first dug in 2000, shrapnel and an anti-aircraft cartridge shell were found. If at any point you start to feel a little disorientated wondering around the building (designed by the same man behind the equally iconic Jewish Museum in Berlin), don’t be alarmed. Libeskind intended it to have this effect in echo of the unsettling nature of war. As you can imagine, a visit to this remarkable venue provides an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf RoadManchesterM17 1TZ View map
Visit Now

Accessibility

wheelchair access to all public areas, guide and hearing dogs welcome, induction loop systems

Admission Charges

Free (charges may apply for special events)

Children and Families

children's activities, baby changing, children's menu

Commercial and Hire Services

Available for private functions

Services and Facilities

cafe, shop, events

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday10:00am - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

Until
ActivityManchester
Floating Art Workshops

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

from £24.30
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry

Where to go near Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

library
City Centre
Shop
News from Nowhere

News from Nowhere is a radical community bookshop selling texts on important current issues as well as leading social justice initiatives.

pub
Liverpool
Bar or Pub
The Merchant

The Merchant is a chilled pub, with a great selection of beers and gins and lots of outdoor seating. It’s also the home of Nightcrawler Pizza.

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Artefact

Artefact combines vintage finds with a laid-back coffee shop experience, plus a busy schedule of events from open mic nights to exhibitions

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Lovelocks

Lovelocks is a chilled café on the outskirts of Liverpool city centre, serving delicious sweet and savoury foods and championing inclusivity.

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Hardware Coffee + Kitchen

Hardware Coffee + Kitchen has taken Liverpool by storm since its opening in December 2022, with news of its fresh pastries and delicious lunches spreading far and wide. It’s located…

food and drink
Liverpool
Café or Coffee Shop
Parliament Square Coffee

A highlight of Baltic Triangle’s speciality coffee scene, don’t miss Parliament Square Coffee’s fresh brunch options and excellent brews.

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
COFFI

A speciality coffee shop in Liverpool’s historic Georgian Quarter, COFFI serves some of the best coffee in the city.

food and drink
Liverpool
Café or Coffee Shop
Bean There Coffee

Sample delicious croissants with your lovingly made cappuccino at Bean There Coffee & Kitchen in South Liverpool.

food and drink
Liverpool
Café or Coffee Shop
Rose Lane Coffee

Speciality coffee, delicious sweet treats and the super friendly staff make Rose Lane Coffee one of the best coffee shops in Liverpool.

Stow
City Centre
Restaurant
Stow

Stow is a new fire-based restaurant on Bridge Street in Manchester, from the team behind Trof.

Manchester District Guides

Culture Guides

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.

Classical Music in the North

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.