City Guide

Museums, art galleries and exhibitions in Manchester

The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester
The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester
Photo: David Levene 2015

Looking for museums and art galleries in Manchester?

A Northern powerhouse, Manchester is home to exciting contemporary art galleries, specialist museums including IWM North, and Manchester Art Gallery’s renowned collection of Pre-Raphaelite art.

Start planning the perfect day in Manchester by finding the right museum or art gallery for you.

Must-see Manchester museums

Places to visit in Manchester with your National Art Pass
Museum

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Manchester
North West
50% off entry
Museum

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester
North West
10% off in shop
Museum

Hat Works Museum

Stockport
North West
10% off in shop
Museum

National Football Museum

Manchester
North West
Free entry
Museum

The Pankhurst Centre

Manchester
North West
20% off in café
Museum

Touchstones Rochdale

Rochdale
North West
Museum

Dunham Massey

Art Fund Museum of the Year
Find out more
2015 finalist
Altrincham
North West
Museum

Stockport War Memorial Art Gal...

Stockport
North West
See all museums
Stories of Women, Work and Uncertain Futures
Mark Thomas, Soup Collective

Popular Manchester exhibitions

Visit these exhibitions in Manchester with your National Art Pass

Exhibition

Stories of Women, Work and Unc...

8 March 2024 - 5 January 2025
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester
10% off in shop
Exhibition

Barbara Walker: Being Here

4 October 2024 - 26 January 2025
The Whitworth
Manchester
10% off in shop
Exhibition

Room to Breathe

2 April 2022 - 6 April 2025
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester
10% off in shop
Exhibition

Lily Parr: Football's first fe...

29 July 2021 - 31 December 2025
National Football Museum
Manchester
Free entry
See all exhibitions

Upcoming events

Make, play and learn at events in Manchester
Workshop

Create at Staircase - A Day of...

12 April 2025
printing workshop
Staircase House
Stockport
Family

Father Christmas at Staircase...

14 - 15 December 2024
Traditional Father Christmas visit including visit to Historic House
Staircase House
Stockport
Special Event

SOLD OUT - Carols in the Court...

13 - 15 December 2024
Get festive and join us for carols around the Bramall Hall Christmas tree!
Bramall Hall
Stockport
See all events

Get inspired

Recommendations for your next day out
Podcast

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Explore animals and nature at these museums and galleries

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18 Apr 2024
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29 Jun 2022
Join comedian Russell Kane, poet and hip-hop MC Testament, plus artists Olivia Glasser, Ra...
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Recommendations

Places to remember the First World War

We've picked our favourite venues and works of art that commemorate the First World War.
Read More
1 Feb 2016
Recommendations

Fabulous film locations from the silver screen

From a legendary Pride and Prejudice moment to regal drama The Crown, learn more about some of the interior and exterior filming locations in the UK.
Read More
7 Mar 2024
Gardens in bloom with historic houses in the background
Recommendations

Find literary inspiration at these famous writers’ homes

From Jane Austen to William Shakespeare, the Brontës to Keats, explore the homes of the writers behind some of English literature's most famous books.
Read More
15 Nov 2024
Podcast

Special episode: highlights fr...

30 May 2023
In this special episode, we delve into the Meet Me at the Museum archive to pull out highl...
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Recommendations

Spooky museums and historic houses for a haunted Halloween

A spine-chilling selection of some of the best haunted historic houses and museums across the UK.
Read More
16 Oct 2024
Podcast

Mark Radcliffe at the Science...

10 Nov 2021
Broadcaster and musician Mark Radcliffe takes his friend and bandmate Paul Langley to the...
Science and Industry Museum
Manchester
Listen now
The Whitworth Art Gallery
Recommendations

An insider's guide to Manchester

Local student Daisy gives us the lowdown on art in Manchester, from stunning spaces to independent galleries, with tips on where to eat and drink...
Read More
7 Jul 2019
Recommendations

Gardens, glasshouses and conservatories for a tropical winter

A tropical oasis at Barbican, historic woodland at Dunham Massey and winter flowers at Mottisfont – these are some of our favourite winter gardens.
Read More
13 Dec 2023
Podcast

Testament at Manchester Art Ga...

11 Aug 2022
Poet and hip-hop MC Testament takes his good friend Hannah Taylor Jackson to Manchester Ar...
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester
Listen now
Recommendations

gal-dem's picks: Unmissable exhibitions to see this Black History Month

From archival films to activists reimagined, here’s a nationwide guide for art, film and fashion-related shows to indulge in this October and...
Read More
20 Oct 2022
Podcast

Tez Ilyas at the National Foot...

15 Nov 2018
Comedian Tez Ilyas and his football fanatic dad visit the National Football Museum in Manc...
National Football Museum
Manchester
Listen now
Recommendations

Fun things to do with kids in Manchester

Explore our selection of museums, galleries and more things to do with kids in Manchester.
Read More
21 Aug 2024
Mostyn's window shop front is lit up, paper decorations of stars, snowflakes and reindeers hang from the ceiling. A decorated Christmas tree in on the left hand side.
Recommendations

Find artful gifts for friends and family at these fabulous museum shops

Find thoughtful and beautiful Christmas gifts at these museum shops.
Read More
22 Nov 2023
Podcast

Russell Kane at the Whitworth

8 Apr 2019
Comedian Russell Kane takes his auntie Christine along to the Whitworth Gallery in Manches...
The Whitworth
Manchester
Listen now
Recommendations

Six of the UK's best Impressionism collections

From Monets in London to Sargents in Manchester, here are six of the greatest Impressionism collections in the UK.
Read More
11 Feb 2016
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