Manchester Museum

Creative Tourist
Manchester Museum Tours at Manchester Museum

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. Following almost 18 months of closure, the Museum has re-opened with new exhibition spaces and a modern two-storey extension to the back of the building; the physical transformation is symbolic of the more ethical changes happening within the building.

Manchester Museum’s aim is to build a better understanding between cultures, stepping away from the traditional voyeuristic viewpoint of museum culture and creating spaces that feel imaginative and inclusive but most importantly caring. The changes welcome fresh spaces to the Museum including the Belonging Gallery, Lee Kai Hung Chinese Gallery, a stunning new Exhibition Hall and the UK’s first permanent South Asia Gallery.

Manchester Museum
Image credit: Kristy Stott

The Exhibition Hall is a changeable space for touring large-scale exhibitions. The opening exhibition, Golden Mummies of Egypt is an impressive exhibition of funerary art from the Graeco-Roman period of Egyptian history. Making its UK debut following its tour across China and the USA, the exhibition features eight mummies and more than 100 objects. In keeping with the ethos of the museum, the collection aims to challenge Victorian narratives of ‘ancient Egypt’ through new research from The University of Manchester.

Manchester Museum
Image credit: Kristy Stott

The South Asia Galley is a space that takes an ‘anthology-based’ approach to curation, ensuring multiple voices and perspectives are included to create culturally rich and respectful exhibitions. In partnership with the British Museum, it is the first permanent gallery in the country dedicated to sharing the stories and experiences of South Asian diaspora communities in the UK. The gallery also features a performance space where live music, dance and spoken word can take place. This is just one example of how the days of exhibits behind glass cabinets being presented from a narrow range of viewpoints are soon to be a thing of the past.

Other new features in the Museum include a prayer room, quiet room, picnic area and a therapy room. And many will be interested (and pleased) to know that over 18000 items were removed and protected during the Museum’s renovation – including longstanding favourite Stan the T Rex and the resident Giant Japanese Spider Crab, which can be seen in all its glory from Oxford Road.

Having started life in 1821, as one wealthy man’s private collection of artefacts, it’s great to see this public collection evolving into a Museum truly fit for the 21st century, where collaboration and cultural empathy are heartily encouraged.

The University Of Manchester, Oxford RdManchesterM13 9PL View map
Telephone: 0161 275 2648 Visit Now

Accessibility

Wheelchair access to all public areas

Admission Charges

Free

Children and Families

Children's menu, picnic area, baby-change, buggy store

Commercial and Hire Services

Available for private hire

Services and Facilities

Exhibitions, events, shop, cafe,

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 at Manchester Museum

Wolf in Yellowstone
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Wild at Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum explores the concept of ‘wild’ nature as a means of tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis in a new exhibition.

free entry

What's on near Manchester Museum

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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
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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
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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
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ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

free entry

Where to go near Manchester Museum

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.

Cumbria
Restaurant
Gilpin Spice

Gilpin Spice is the two AA Rosettes Asian restaurant at the stunning Gilpin Hotel in the Lake District.

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