City Guide

Museums, art galleries and exhibitions in Manchester

The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester

The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester

Photo: David Levene 2015

Home Explore City Guides Museums, art galleries and exhibitions in Manchester

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

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Bramall Hall

Science and Industry Museum

50% off exhibitions

People's History Museum

20% off in shop and café

Deaf Museum and Archive

Gallery Oldham

Hat Works Museum

10% off in shop

John Rylands Research Institut...

Manchester Art Gallery

10% off in shop

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JMW Turner, Storm in the Pass of St. Gotthard, Switzerland, 1845

© the Whitworth, The University of Manchester

Popular Manchester exhibitions

Visit these exhibitions in Manchester with your National Art Pass

01

JMW Turner: In Light and Shade

7 February - 2 November 2025

10% off in shop

02

Chila Welcomes You

30 January - 31 August 2025

03

Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies...

14 February 2025 - 4 January 2026

Science and Industry Museum

50% off exhibitions

04

Lee Holden: Universal Bridge

15 March - 30 August 2025

Bury Art Museum & Sculpture Centre

10% off in shop

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Upcoming events

Make, play and learn at events in Manchester

Create at Staircase - Tin Can...

18 October 2025

Staircase House

Online Talk: North and South –...

24 September 2025

What costumes were used in the classic TV series North and South and how accurately did th...

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

The Merry Wives of Windsor by...

Picnic style, outdoor Shakespeare at Bramall Hall by award winning Illyria, who will perfo...

Get inspired

Recommendations for your next day out

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Testament at Manchester Art Ga...

Poet and hip-hop MC Testament takes his good friend Hannah Taylor Jackson to Manchester Ar...

Manchester Art Gallery

Recommendations

Places to remember the First World War

We've picked our favourite venues and works of art that commemorate the First World War.

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...

Christmas gifts including books, candles and cards

Recommendations

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

Find thoughtful and beautiful Christmas gifts at these museum shops.

Mark Radcliffe at the Science...

Broadcaster and musician Mark Radcliffe takes his friend and bandmate Paul Langley to the...

Science and Industry Museum

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.

Join us at Meet Me at the Muse...

Join comedian Russell Kane and hip-hop MC and poet Testament for a special live recording...

Recommendations

Explore idyllic gardens at historic houses for springtime

Landscaped gardens, cascading countryside and perfect spots for a picnic – here’s our pick of the best grounds and gardens to visit for spring.

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...

Special episode: Meet Me at Ar...

Join comedian Russell Kane, poet and hip-hop MC Testament, plus artists Olivia Glasser, Ra...

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.

Special episode: highlights fr...

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

Recommendations

Fun things to do with kids in Manchester

Explore our selection of museums, galleries and more things to do with kids in Manchester.

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Explore animals and nature at these museums and galleries

Celebrate Earth Day by exploring animals and nature at these museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK.

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.

Russell Kane at the Whitworth

Comedian Russell Kane takes his auntie Christine along to the Whitworth Gallery in Manches...

A walkway within the tropical conservatory at Barbican

Recommendations

Gardens, glasshouses and conservatories for winter

The Barbican's tropical oasis, historic woodland at Dunham Massey and winter flowers at Mottisfont – these are some of our favourite winter gardens.

Tez Ilyas at the National Foot...

Comedian Tez Ilyas and his football fanatic dad visit the National Football Museum in Manc...

National Football Museum

Flourishing gardens with mature plants and trees, an ornate country house in the background

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Fabulous film locations from the silver screen

From a legendary Pride and Prejudice moment to regal drama The Crown, discover some of the most iconic filming locations in the UK.

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The more you see, the more we do.

The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.

Get a national art pass