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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Manchester Jewish Museum

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

The Whitworth

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Manchester Museum

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Manchester Art Gallery

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Astley Cheetham Art Gallery

National Football Museum

Working Class Movement Library

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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

Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies...

14 February 2025 - 4 January 2026

Science and Industry Museum

50% off exhibitions

03

Santiago Yahuarcani : The Begi...

4 July 2025 - 4 January 2026

10% off in shop

04

Małgorzata Mirga-Tas

11 April - 7 September 2025

10% off in shop

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Upcoming events

Make, play and learn at events in Manchester

Online Talk: ‘A Flattering Mal...

15 October 2025

Join like-minded literary fans as we ask, what is the meaning of it all?

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Online Talk: Laughter and Lite...

Enjoy a little chuckle as we explore humour in Elizabeth Gaskell's work.

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Create at Staircase - Mosaic C...

mosaic workshop

Staircase House

Get inspired

Recommendations for your next day out

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Join us at Meet Me at the Muse...

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

Mark Radcliffe at the Science...

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

Science and Industry Museum

Russell Kane at the Whitworth

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

Christmas gifts including books, candles and cards

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

Find thoughtful and beautiful Christmas gifts at these museum shops.

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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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.

Special episode: highlights fr...

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

The Whitworth Art Gallery

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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...

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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.

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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.

A walkway within the tropical conservatory at Barbican

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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.

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Places to remember the First World War

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

Tez Ilyas at the National Foot...

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

National Football Museum

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Blockbuster exhibitions in the North

From painting to photography, here's our guide to the biggest exhibitions open now in the North of England.

Testament at Manchester Art Ga...

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

Manchester Art Gallery

A boy taking a photo of a T-Rex skeleton in the dinosaurs gallery at Manchester Museum

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Fun things to do with kids in Manchester

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

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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...

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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.

Gardens in bloom with historic houses in the background

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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.

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