Things to see in Manchester

Tourist offices

Manchester Visitor Information Centre

Address: Mercure Hotel , Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4PH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 871 222 8223.
Opening Hours:Mon-Sat 0930-1730, Sun 1030-1630. www.visitmanchester.com

The 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.


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.

Opening Times: Mon–Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 161 605 8200.
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.

Opening Times: Mon-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: The Pump House, Left Bank, Manchester, M3 3ER, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 161 838 9190.
Website: www.phm.org.uk
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.

Opening Times: Sun-Fri 1100-1700, Sat 1000-1700 (main galleries only).
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 843 208 6000.
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.

Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address: Castlefield, Manchester, United Kingdom
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.

Opening Times: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1TZ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 161 836 4000.
Website: www.iwm.org.uk
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.

Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0830-1830, Sun 0830-1900.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Cathedral Yard, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 161 833 2220.
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.

Opening Times: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address: Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4FP, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 161 832 2244.
Website: www.mosi.org.uk
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.

Opening Times: Tue-Fri 1100-1800, Sat 1100-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Mosley Street, Manchester, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 161 235 8888.
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.

Opening Times: Wed 1400 (8 April-28 October).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Hathersage Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, M13 0FE, United Kingdom
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.

Opening Times: Mon-Wed 0900-1700, Thu-Sat 0900-2130, Sun 1000-1900.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 161 275 7450.
Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.