Last Updated on 7 January 2026 by Colette
Manchester is awash with some of the best museums and art galleries in the country, many of which are completely free to visit. I think it’s easy to take them for granted and perhaps to forget they are even there so hopefully this post will remind you of some places you’ve forgotten or even introduce you to some hidden gems, you might even find a new favourite!
If you think I’ve missed out a museum or art gallery in Manchester that should be on this list, please do let me know! I’ve separated the post out into Museums in Manchester first followed by Art Galleries in Manchester which should make it easier to navigate!
Museums in Manchester and the surrounding area
Manchester Museum, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL
The Manchester Museum has recently reopened having undergone a £15 million renovation.
The Manchester Museum, one of the largest university museums in the UK, is over one hundred and thirty years old – the original neo-Gothic building was designed by renowned architect Alfred Waterhouse (who also designed Manchester Town Hall).
The Manchester Museum explores the natural world and human history with over four million items in the collection!
The Manchester Museum is free to visit. Pre-booking is recommended to guarantee entry to events and exhibitions.
Find out what’s on at Manchester Museum.
Science & Industry Museum, Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP
Formerly known as the Museum of Science and Industry or MOSI for short, the Science & Industry Museum in Manchester tells stories about ideas that change the world, from the Industrial Revolution to today and beyond. You’ll find everything from steam engines to modern day tech with a range interactive exhibits and special events. One of the things I love most about the Science & Industry Museum is how interactive it is, there is plenty of the kids to get involved with and really explore – it’s definitely one of my favourite museums in Manchester!
The Science & Industry Museum is free to visit but you must pre-book your tickets online.
Find out what’s on at Science & Industry Museum.
The Greater Manchester Police Museum, 57A Newton St, Manchester M1 1ET
The Greater Manchester Police Museum is a former police station converted into a museum and archives detailing the history of policing in Greater Manchester, England. It was home to Manchester City Police and then its successors Manchester and Salford Police and Greater Manchester Police from 1879 until 197
Greater Manchester Police Museum is open to the public every Tuesday between 10.30 – 4.00 and entry is free
Find out what’s on at The Greater Manchester Police Museum.
You can read more about visiting The Greater Manchester Police Museum here:
GMP Museum – HodgePodgeDays
National Football Museum, Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG
One for the football fans, the National Football Museum is hidden away inside the Urbis Building in Cathedral Gardens (that massive glass building between Manchester Victoria Station and the Arndale Centre making it super accessible via public transport!)
Whether you’re a die-hard football fan, planning a visit with your family or on a break to Manchester, enjoy a visit to England’s only national museum for football. Learn more about the game of our lives, see iconic objects, and sharpen your skills in the museum’s football challenges.
The National Football Museum receives financial support from Manchester City Council and as part of this arrangement city residents benefit from free admission (proof of address is required). Otherwise tickets for Manchester’s National Football Museum are priced at £14 for over 16s or £8 for children age 5-15 years. Under 5s go free. It’s worth noting that your ticket price covers you for unlimited visits for 12 months from the date of your first visit.
Find out what’s on at National Football Museum
Manchester Museum of Transport, Boyle St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8UW
The Manchester Museum of Transport is based in one of Greater Manchester’s earliest bus garages, adjoining Manchester’s first electric tram depot: Queens Road.
The Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester is the custodian of Greater Manchester’s public road transport heritage with collections including over seventy buses and other vintage vehicles on display – many of which are maintained in working condition making it the perfect niche day out for transport-loving kids! You’ll also be able to see uniforms, signage and fare collection equipment to name but a few! Whether you’re simply interest in the history of Manchester or are fascinated by buses and trains, you’ll be sure to find something of interest at The Museum of Transport.
Admission to Manchester Museum of Transport is free for children with adults being charged at £6 and students at £5 (proof of student status is required).
Find out what’s on at Manchester Museum of Transport
Manchester Jewish Museum, 190 Cheetham Hill Rd, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8LW
Manchester Jewish Museum has recently undergone a £6 million redevelopment which includes a new gallery, café, shop and learning studio & kitchen as well as complete restoration of the stunning Spanish and Portuguese synagogue.
The Manchester Jewish Museum documents the story of Jewish migration and settlement in Manchester.
Entry to Manchester Jewish Museum is priced at £6 for adults and £4 for children. Discounts are available for families and larger groups.
Find out what’s on at Manchester Jewish Museum
Imperial War Museum, Trafford Wharf Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1TZ
The Imperial War Museum North is part of a collection of museums across the country. Imperial War Museum North was purpose-built to tell the powerful stories of over a century of war from the First World War to present day, IWM North makes full use of its extraordinary exhibition space to deliver an award-winning immersive experience.
Entry to the Imperial War Museum is free however booking is advised.
Find out what’s on at Imperial War Museum
Fireground, Maclure Rd, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Fireground tells the story of firefighting, particularly in the Greater Manchester region – you might be surprised to learn just quite how much fire-related history has including dealing with incidents from house fires to cotton mill blazes, industrial fires to major ship, road, rail and aircraft incidents, as well as two world wars and terrorist incidents of national significance. Historically, Manchester was also an important centre of manufacture for fire engines, fire hose and equipment
The Museum offers educational visits for pupils and students of all ages from reception to A-level. Regular topics include The Great Fire of London, People Who Help Us, Victorians, Uniforms and The Blitz – you can find out more about school visits to Fireground here.
Find out what’s on at Fireground.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery, Crescent, Salford M5 4WU
Take a step back in time to Lark Hill Place, an atmospheric re-creation of a typical northern street during Victorian times before taking in the upstairs galleries showing the social history and art collections and temporary exhibitions.
Entry to Salford Museum & Art Gallery is free of charge, however there is a suggested donation of £3 per person. During the school holidays, it is advisable to pre book your visit.
Find out what’s on at Salford Museum & Art Gallery
You can read more about visiting Salford Museum & Art Gallery here:
Our Salford Museum & Art Gallery Review – The Strawberry Fountain
The Pankhurst Centre, 60-62 Nelson St, Manchester M13 9WP
The Pankhurst Centre, is a pair of Victorian villas, of which No. 62 was the home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Sylvia, Christabel and Adela and the birthplace of the suffragette movement in 1903.
Saved by, rebuilt by, and run by women, the Pankhurst Centre is testament to the importance of the story of women’s campaign for the vote, and the power it has to inspire action today.
The Pankhurst Centre is home to an exhibition called At Home with the Pankhurst Family, which showcases the life and work of Emmeline Pankhurst and her family.
Find out what’s on at The Pankhurst Centre
People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER
The People’s History Museum is a museum celebrating democracy and the story of it’s development in Manchester – past, present and future.
As the national museum of democracy, People’s History Museum (PHM) is the UK’s only museum entirely dedicated to sharing the stories of the revolutionaries, reformers, workers, voters and citizens who believed, then and now, in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all.
Find out what’s on at People’s History Museum
Manchester United Museum, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA
The Manchester United Museum at Old Trafford allows you to go behind the scenes at Manchester United to see the trophy cabinet and Manchester United memorabilia from over the years. A visit to the Manchester United Museum is combined with a Stadium Tour where you’ll get to see the player’s tunnel, walk next to the pitch and visit the dugouts.
Unsurprisingly, a trip to the Manchester United Museum is not a free day out and pre-booked tickets are priced from £25 for adults and from £18 for juniors.
Find out what’s on at the Manchester United Museum
Stockport Hat Works Museum, Wellington Mill, Wellington Rd S, Stockport SK3 0EU
Hat Works is the UK’s only museum dedicated to the hatting industry, hats and headwear – which is obviously fairly niche!
The Stockport Hat Works Museum offers a blend of education, culture, and fun celebrating the town’s rich history in hat making —perfect for anyone interested in local history or craft!
You can find out more about visiting the Stockport Hat Museum.
Galleries in Manchester and the surrounding area
Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
The number of times I must have passed the Whitworth Art Gallery when I was at university some 20 or so years ago – and I don’t honestly think I’ve been in more than once!
The Whitworth Art Gallery is home to an internationally important collection of 60,000 artworks. The exhibitions at Whitworth Art Gallery change regularly so do check what’s on before visiting if there’s something specific you want to see.
You do not need to pre-book tickets to visit the Whitworth and can just turn up on the day. The gallery is FREE to enter. The team at Whitworth Art Gallery recommend you set aside half an hour to be able to see everything on display, however you are allowed to stay as long as you like!
Find out what’s on at Whitworth Art Gallery
Waterside, 1 Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF
Waterside is a thriving and vibrant arts venue in the heart of Sale in Trafford, Greater Manchester. Tucked inside you’ll find an intimate theatre and a small gallery spaces.
Waterside always has a small exhibition but tend to think this is more a bonus to a theatre visit than a reason to visit on its own. The exhibitions at Waterside are free to visit.
Find out what’s on at Waterside.
Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL
The Manchester Art Gallery has over 25,000 objects on display spanning six centuries!
Find out what’s on at Manchester Art Gallery
Salford Museum & Art Gallery, Crescent, Salford M5 4WU
Take a step back in time to Lark Hill Place, an atmospheric re-creation of a typical northern street during Victorian times before taking in the upstairs galleries showing the social history and art collections and temporary exhibitions.
Entry to Salford Museum & Art Gallery is free of charge, however there is a suggested donation of £3 per person. During the school holidays, it is advisable to pre book your visit.
Find out what’s on at Salford Museum & Art Gallery
The information in this post is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing. As always, please do check with individual venues before you visit and, if you can, book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
I hope this list of Manchester Museums and Art Galleries has been of use to you – I’d love to know if you have a favourite, or if you’ve discovered somewhere new to try!
For more ideas of things to do around Manchester, check out these posts next:
What to do in Manchester during February half term
What do in Manchester this October half term
Where to get the best hot chocolate in Manchester
Outdoor theatre in Manchester this summer
What is there to do in Manchester when it’s raining?
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