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

The Lowry

Imperial War Museum North (IWM...

Manchester Museum

Staircase House

The Whitworth

Working Class Movement Library

Stockport War Memorial Art Gal...

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Popular Manchester exhibitions

Visit these exhibitions in Manchester with your National Art Pass

01

Chila Welcomes You

30 January - 31 August 2025

Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

02

Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies...

14 February 2025 - 4 January 2026

Science and Industry Museum

03

Rethinking the Grand Tour

24 November 2022 - 31 December 2025

Manchester Art Gallery

04

JMW Turner: In Light and Shade

7 February - 2 November 2025

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Upcoming events

Make, play and learn at events in Manchester

Create at Staircase - Silk Pai...

8 November 2025

Staircase House

Online Talk: The Lady of the L...

19 November 2025

What is the connection between the Lady of the Lamp, Florence Nightingale, and classic Vic...

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Family Fun - Summer at Elizabe...

27 - 28 August 2025

Join us at your local museum for a summer jam-packed with family activities.

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Get inspired

Recommendations for your next day out

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Russell Kane at the Whitworth

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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.

Special episode: Meet Me at Ar...

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

Tez Ilyas at the National Foot...

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

National Football Museum

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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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...

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...

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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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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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.

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.

Mark Radcliffe at the Science...

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

Science and Industry Museum

Join us at Meet Me at the Muse...

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

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.

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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