Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Ashton-in-Makerfield

"Over in Salford Quays by the creative hub of MediaCityUK is The Imperial War Museum North. It’s easily accessible from Manchester City Centre by the Metrolink tram service and houses collections that inspect the impact modern conflicts have had on society. Venture inside for a free visit and you’ll find over 2,000 objects, photographs and interactive displays in IWM North’s main exhibition space alone, each telling stories from the First World War onwards."

"A visit to the museum will help you explore how modern conflicts have affected the British society at large. The Imperial War Museum North is in Greater Manchester. It sits inside an unmissable aluminium building designed by Daniel Libeskind."

"Located in a converted warehouse in the famous Royal Albert Docks in Liverpool, Tate Liverpool is part of the Tate Collection and is the most visited gallery of visual art outside of the capital city. Displaying a range of contemporary art, exhibits, and art installations, Tate Liverpool has been home to the lives of Kandinsky, Haring, and Warhol. Discover the highlights of the constellations and modern art and with free entry, this museum is an absolute must."

"Opened in 1988, Tate Liverpool has been at the forefront of contemporary art in the city. Housed within a former docking warehouse on the picturesque Albert Docks, the Tate regularly hosts events, workshops and exhibitions and offers plentiful free displays. Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock|© Tate Liverpool/Facebook"

"Photo credit: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Tate_Liverpool_-_geograph.org.uk_-_206623.jpg. The Tate is the cornerstone of Liverpool’s contemporary art scene. The venue was founded by Alan Bowness, who was Tate’s director in the ’80s."

"The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 6ER - Visit now. The Whitworth underwent a £15m redevelopment in 2015, which saw it double in size; the gallery now juts out into Whitworth park, seamlessly transitioning from old to new. It’s been met with national and international acclaim – for its new architecture and for its brilliant exhibitions programme."

"The Whitworth will partially reopen from Wednesday 19 May 2021. The gallery is expected to reopen fully from Thursday 1 July 2021."

"The Whitworth is one of our favourite art galleries in the UK, a 50,000+ strong collection of works housed in one of the …"

"Surrounded by the University of Salford, this sizeable museum is on the south side of Peel Park, mapping the history of Salford and with a large inventory of Victorian art. The museum dates to 1850, and would be worth a visit just to appreciate its Italianate Renaissance-style galleries. These have been arranged to reflect the layout of a Victorian museum, with paintings, decorative art and sculpture all competing for your attention in the same space."

"Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 4WU - Visit now. Salford Museum and Art Gallery is a friendly city museum close to Peel Park with special appeal to families; the highlight is Lark Hill Place, a charming Victorian Street installation. Salford Museum and Art Gallery began a phased reopening at the beginning of August."

"A glorious sister venue to London's Natural History Museum (both designed by Liverpool-born architect Alfred Waterhouse), it's worth a visit to the University of Liverpool's gallery and museum for its exterior alone. The Grade II-listed building's gothic terracotta design led to the coining of the term "red-brick" university and is a shining example of Victorian prowess; more so now after a recent £8.6m refurb. Expect a really creepy museum (fossils, taxidermy, skeletons and curios from the university's 130-year history), a special collections gallery (including the largest display of paintings and prints by wildlife artist John James Audubon outside the US), and a regularly revolving programme of contemporary art exhibitions."

"Housed within an impressive, Grade II listed building, VG&M is known for its collection of the work of wildlife artist, John James Audubon. Once you've checked out the art gallery, the museum has some curiosities worth taking a look at too: the National Pipe Archive and a display of dentures through the ages – not your average collection of artefacts. Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-5:00 Victoria Building, 150 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF 5 minute walk from LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus and 20 minute walk from LJMU City Campus."

"Art lovers should also check out The Victoria Gallery and Museum. Located in a spectacular red-brick building at the University of Liverpool, the museum - known locally as the (V&M) - includes large collections of sculptures and ceramics, along with an impressive array of paintings by the likes of Lucian Freud and J."

"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."

"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"

"Not only a great place to catch the latest films, it also puts on regular exhibitions by a range of international artists focusing on creative media and digital technology. You’ll find three galleries to explore as well as a café and bar where you can talk art and film with friends. Opening Times: Tuesday-Sunday 11:00-6:00 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ 8 minute walk from LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus and a 15-minute walk from LJMU City Campus."

"Just turning 15 years old, this cinema and gallery is, in fact, a leader in visual arts. It strives to support local visual and media-based artists who are passionate about technology. The location offers space for video and new (sometimes experimental) media, creating a platform for many UK artists to explore."

"FACT on Wood Street is hoping to open again from May 19 with three brand new exhibitions including Biennial artists. Soft Boys, in the foyer gallery, is a short film about queer and trans joy, specifically within the Somali culture and community. It’s free, no booking needed."

"CFCCA is the UK leader in Chinese visual culture, with a reputation for debut solo exhibitions and a roster of internationally-renowned artists; impressive considering that, three decades ago, it was just a series of events in Manchester’s Chinatown. As Manchester’s Chinese population is second only to London’s, the centre’s heritage is particularly important; now represented in a new archive and library. Best feature: A vibrant events schedule, spanning film screenings to workshops and even Mandarin lessons"

"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."

"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."

"Located in a converted warehouse in the famous Royal Albert Docks in Liverpool, Tate Liverpool is part of the Tate Collection and is the most visited gallery of visual art outside of the capital city. Displaying a range of contemporary art, exhibits, and art installations, Tate Liverpool has been home to the lives of Kandinsky, Haring, and Warhol. Discover the highlights of the constellations and modern art and with free entry, this museum is an absolute must."

"Opened in 1988, Tate Liverpool has been at the forefront of contemporary art in the city. Housed within a former docking warehouse on the picturesque Albert Docks, the Tate regularly hosts events, workshops and exhibitions and offers plentiful free displays. Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock|© Tate Liverpool/Facebook"

"Photo credit: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Tate_Liverpool_-_geograph.org.uk_-_206623.jpg. The Tate is the cornerstone of Liverpool’s contemporary art scene. The venue was founded by Alan Bowness, who was Tate’s director in the ’80s."

"Not only a great place to catch the latest films, it also puts on regular exhibitions by a range of international artists focusing on creative media and digital technology. You’ll find three galleries to explore as well as a café and bar where you can talk art and film with friends. Opening Times: Tuesday-Sunday 11:00-6:00 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ 8 minute walk from LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus and a 15-minute walk from LJMU City Campus."

"Just turning 15 years old, this cinema and gallery is, in fact, a leader in visual arts. It strives to support local visual and media-based artists who are passionate about technology. The location offers space for video and new (sometimes experimental) media, creating a platform for many UK artists to explore."

"FACT on Wood Street is hoping to open again from May 19 with three brand new exhibitions including Biennial artists. Soft Boys, in the foyer gallery, is a short film about queer and trans joy, specifically within the Somali culture and community. It’s free, no booking needed."

"If you are a fan of wide-open spaces and greenery, where you can explore woods, as well as amazing play areas the kids will thank you for, then heading to Birkenhead Park is a great option to consider. An excellent location that can blow off the cobwebs and enable you to spend some quality time together. Check out all the latest information, opening times and restrictions HERE"

"Take some time out to relax in the lush Birkenhead Park in between your visits to the other must-visit attractions in Liverpool. The park lies on the west side of the Mersey and is linked to Liverpool by tunnels and the excellent Mersey Ferry service. Near the tunnel are the ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine abbey with a chapterhouse, crypt, and refectory."

"The working people of Macclesfield pooled together to raise funds for this park next to the town centre. West Park opened in 1854 and provided an oasis of greenery for people who would spend up to 70 hours a week toiling in the mills. Now it’s a well-appointed urban space with a playground, skate park and florid ornamental gardens."