8 of the Best Museums in Manchester
Rain, football, and museums. If there are three things Manchester has in abundance, it’s this trio. With such a wealth of museum options available, there’s never been a better time to swat up on some history and culture. Here are some of our favourite museums in Manchester:
Greater Manchester Police Museum
Set in an old Victorian police station, this quaint little spot is dedicated to the Mancunian Bobby.
There’s plenty of memorabilia, cars and uniforms from years gone by, with the full history of the Manchester Police Force on show.
Only open on a Tuesday, unless you book in advance.
57A Newton Street, Manchester, M1 1ET (gmpmuseum)
The Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum has a little something for everyone. From Egyptian mummies and dinosaurs, to live reptiles and the world’s oldest horse.
With an expansive collection of oddities and some of history’s most important specimens, Manchester Museum really holds up amongst the nation’s best.
The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL (museum.manchester)
Museum of Science & Industry
MOSI, as it’s locally known is home to Manchester’s industrial past, present and future. A celebration of Manchester’s important place in the world’s industrial history, MOSI is located in stunning listed buildings, including an old railway station.
Displays range from early trains and automobiles to consumer technologies through the ages. One of the better museums in Manchester.
Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP (msi)
National Football Museum
Manchester is renowned for its football, the giants of Manchester City and Manchester United call the city home.
Naturally then, so too does the National Football Museum.
Some of the footballing world’s most important artefacts are here. You’ll find shirts for Diego Maradona and Pele, and the replica of the Jules Rimet Trophy won by England in 1966.
Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester, M4 3BG (nationalfootballmuseum)
People’s History Museum
Exhibits the 200-year story of British democracy, and the quest for equality for all.
The People’s History Museum underwent a swanky redevelopment in 2010 and famously has the largest number of trade union items in the world, with over 400, with some dating back as far as the 19th century.
Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3ER (phm)
Museum of Transport
If public transport is your jam, then hop on a bus to the Museum of Transport.
Located in former bus garage premises, this quaint museum has a large collection of public transport vehicles through the ages.
From buses to trams, there is over 100-years of British public transportation on show here.
Boyle Street, Cheetham, Manchester, M8 8UW (gmts)
The Pankhurst Centre
An unassuming little house on Nelson Street, this spot was the birthplace of the Suffragette movement.
The home of inspirational leader Emmeline Pankhurst, the first Women’s Social and Political Union meeting was held here in 1903.
Nowadays, the place has been converted into a museum detailing the battle for women’s equality in Britain and celebrating its great former occupant.
60-62 Nelson Street, Manchester, M13 9WP (thepankhurstcentre)
Imperial War Museum North
The Northern sister to London’s Imperial War Museum, the Manchester venue is just as engrossing, and sobering as it’s southern equivalent.
Built on the ruins of the docklands industrial area, which was bombed heavily itself during the Blitz.
A stunning collection, ranging from World War memorabilia to sections of the World Trade Center wreckage can be found in one of the best collections to be found in any museums in Manchester.
Trafford Wharf Road, Stretford, Manchester, M17 1TZ (iwm)
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