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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Astley Cheetham Art Gallery

John Rylands Research Institut...

The Lowry

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Hat Works Museum

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Manchester Art Gallery

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Manchester Museum

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The Pankhurst Centre

Touchstones Rochdale

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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

Lily Parr: Football's first fe...

29 July 2021 - 31 December 2025

National Football Museum

03

I've Never Read Elizabeth Gask...

6 July - 16 November 2025

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

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

Create at Staircase - Festive...

8 November 2025

Felting workshop

Staircase House

Online Talk: Sex and Scandal –...

3 September 2025

Sex. Sensuality. Eroticism. How can these words be associated with Elizabeth Gaskell?

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Get inspired

Recommendations for your next day out

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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.

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...

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.

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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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...

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

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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.

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.

Join us at Meet Me at the Muse...

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

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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

Special episode: highlights fr...

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

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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.

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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 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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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.

Tez Ilyas at the National Foot...

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

National Football Museum

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.

Mark Radcliffe at the Science...

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

Science and Industry Museum

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