Things to see in Manchester
Attractions
The Lowry
The Lowry is one of Manchester's most renowned centres for arts and performance and is the architectural flagship of the redeveloped Salford Quays. Incorporating two theatres, a range of galleries, as well as restaurants, bars and cafés, the Lowry's eye-catching architecture won it the 2001 building of the year award. The building takes its name from the celebrated painter LS Lowry (who died in 1976) and houses a permanent Lowry exhibition alongside displays of more contemporary artists.
Address: Pier 8, The Lowry, Salford Quays, M50 3AZTelephone: +44 843 208 6000.
Opening times:
Sun-Fri 1100-1700, Sat 1000-1700 (main galleries only).
Website: http://www.thelowry.comAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
People's History Museum
Housed in an old Edwardian hydraulic pumping station, the museum is the only national centre devoted to the history of working people in Britain, providing a fascinating insight into the often harsh working conditions of those employed in the city's cotton industry. It has undergone a major renovation and a dedicated Archive and Study Centre, formerly separate, have been combined.
Address: Left Bank, The Pump House, Manchester, M3 3ERTelephone: +44 161 838 9190.
Opening times:
Mon-Sun 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.phm.org.ukAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
National Football Museum
Dedicated to the world of football, this city centre attraction houses the world's greatest soccer memorabilia collection, with over 140,000 different items, including trophies, medals, kit and photographs. There is also a Hall of Fame in honour of the best players, managers and teams, which changes every year, plus an interactive Discovery Zone aimed at the under-5s. Look out for rolling exhibitions throughout the year.
Address: , Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BGTelephone: +44 161 605 8200.
Opening times:
Mon–Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700.
Website: http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.comAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Imperial War Museum North
This museum is dedicated to how lives have been, and still are, shaped by war and conflict. The award-winning building, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, is situated at Salford Quays, two miles from Manchester city centre. Enjoy dramatic displays of projected images and sound and thousands of objects ranging from a T34 Russian tank and Harrier jump-jet to clothing, diaries and works of art.
Address: , Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1TZTelephone: +44 161 836 4000.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.iwm.org.ukAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
This 2.8 hectares (6.9 acres) complex is set at the site of the oldest passenger railway buildings in the world. It's a great place to learn more about the city's industrial beginnings and amazing scientific achievements, brought to life through former factory buildings, machinery and historic locomotives. In addition to the permanent collections, there are frequent special exhibitions. There is a shop, a restaurant and a café too.
Address: Castlefield, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FPTelephone: +44 161 832 2244.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.mosi.org.ukAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Manchester Cathedral
This Cathedral is actually the third to have been built on the site since the 8th Century and boasts the widest nave of any church in England. In 1940 a bomb destroyed the entire north-east end of the cathedral. It underwent 20 years of restoration and then suffered more damage from an IRA bomb detonated in the city centre in 1996. A hi-tech visitor centre at the site includes interesting interactive displays covering the history of the Cathedral and mediaeval Manchester.
Address: , Cathedral Yard, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SXTelephone: +44 161 833 2220.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0830-1830, Sun 0830-1900.
Website: http://www.manchestercathedral.orgAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Castlefield
Heading south to the edge of the city, Castlefield is Manchester's regenerated canal-side district, transformed in the 1990s into a thriving bar, restaurant and cafe scene. As well as a mock-up of the original Roman Fort, the area is a fantastic testament to the city's industrial age with labyrinthine canals, viaducts, iron bridges and revamped warehouses. It is surprisingly quiet during the day and a great place to escape the hustle of the city.
Address: Castlefield, , Manchester,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Victoria Baths
This landmark was due to shut in the early 1990s but was saved following appeals from the local community and an appearance in the BBC Restoration series. Today, it is open to visitors between April and October, with special tours available. This splendid building, dating back to 1906, features stained glass, terracotta tiles and mosaics, and was one of the finest municipal baths in the country.
Address: Chorlton-on-Medlock, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0FETelephone:
Opening times:
Wed 1400 (8 April-28 October).
Website: http://www.victoriabaths.org.ukAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Manchester Art Gallery
Housing one of the country's finest art collections, Manchester Art Gallery mixes spectacular Victorian surroundings with smart contemporary touches. Highlights here include pre-Raphaelite paintings and early 20th century British art, plus a renowned selection of 19th-century work.
Address: , Mosley Street, Manchester,Telephone: +44 161 235 8888.
Opening times:
Tue-Fri 1100-1800, Sat 1100-1700.
Website: http://www.manchestergalleries.orgAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Whitworth Art Gallery
Set up to showcase the visual arts, this university art gallery displays historic and contemporary collections, with over 50,000 objects, including collections of works on paper, wallpaper and flat textiles. Expect to find works by everyone from Manet and Renoir to Turner and Rossetti.
Address: , Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ERTelephone: +44 161 275 7450.
Opening times:
Mon-Wed 0900-1700, Thu-Sat 0900-2130, Sun 1000-1900.
Website: http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.ukAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Manchester Visitor Information Centre
Address: Portland Street, Mercure Hotel , Manchester, M1 4PHTelephone: +44 871 222 8223.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0930-1730, Sun 1030-1630.
Website: http://www.visitmanchester.comThe main Manchester Visitor Information Centre can now be found in the foyer of the Mercure Hotel, with a new dedicated site currently in the works.
