Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Clough Bottom Reservoir

"The Imperial War Museum, the huge silver structure across the water from MediaCityUK, will be back open from May 19. The main exhibition space, along with the Big Picture Show - which projects documentary-style footage and stories onto the walls of the gallery - will both return. The exhibition Aid Workers: Ethics Under Fire is also open, free to visit and extended until September 24."

"Manchester also has an important history when it comes to war and conflict over the past hundred years. The Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) is an interactive space built solely for the purpose of telling the most vital, powerful stories of war from across the region. The entire structure was built around an impressive, genuine fighter jet!"

"The Whitworth relaunched in 2015 after a massive refurbishment and only went on to win an award for Museum of the Year by the Art Fund in its first year. They have a constantly changing display of collections and a wide spectrum of art in their temporary exhibitions. The Whitworth is located in South Manchester, I would recommend taking public transport as it’s quite a walk otherwise."

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

"Travel a bit outside Manchester's city center to the Salford Museum and Art Gallery, which is situated int heart of Peel Park. First opened in 1850, the museum features both permanent displays and changing contemporary exhibitions, with free admission for all visitors. One of the museum's highlights is Lark Hill Place, a recreated Victorian street that lets visitors experience what life was like in Victorian Salford."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Green Giant used under CC BY 4.0. Cartwright Hall is Bradford’s municipal art gallery, that offers an energising array of contemporary exhibits. The collections showcase 19th and 20th-century British craftsmanship, with global contemporary prints and South Asian works."

"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."

"CFCCA reopens with a duo of exhibitions investigating and unpicking themes of belonging, identity and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are just a few minutes’ walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging."

"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"

"Situated in the new financial district of Manchester, a few minutes stroll away from Deansgate, Zizzi Italian restaurant in Spinningfields offers some of the finest al fresco dining in Manchester, with views overlooking the River Irwell."

"Migrating North for the first time, cult London vegan kebab outlet What The Pitta finally opens here on 7 January for delivery and takeaway with eat-in available when restrictions are lifted. We wrote about What The Pitta last year but in a nutshell, it’s one of those gaffs that focuses on doing one thing and doing it well. In this case, that’s pitta stuffed with a family recipe for vegan kebab 'meat'."

"One of the best vegan restaurants in Manchester's Northern Quarter, What The Pitta is a firm fave for meat-free feasting. See what the fuss is about with their range of veggie döner kebabs, gyros wraps and juicy burgers, with delicious desserts from The Cheesefake Company."

"Winner of the Best London Takeaway for the Kebab Awards 2020. What The Pitta was Shortlisted For The Deliveroo Awards 2020. What the Pitta is cult classic amongst vegans and non-vegans alike, bringing a meat free twist on the classic British Kebab."

"One of Manchester's most beautiful buildings, the John Rylands Library on Deansgate is a fine example of Vicorian neo-gothic architecture which houses some of the most significant books and manuscripts ever produced. Following a recent multi-million pound re-development, the building is a major visitor attraction for Manchester - not to mention a beautiful space to study. 150 Deansgate, 0161 834 5343"

"0 km from city center 4 out of 12 places to visit in Manchester. John Rylands Library is considered to be one of the oldest gems in the city of Manchester. It is considered to be a masterpiece with Victorian Gothic style of architecture and it is any book lover's dream place."

"The John Rylands Library is breathtaking in a kind of ‘Hogwarts sort of way’. Named for John Rylands but actually founded by his wife, it is the kind of place where you never stop looking up, even when you manage to score an alcove in the soaring Reading Room for yourself."

"Guzelian Cafe Bar and Gallery in Little Germany is just two minutes’ walk from the Broadway shopping centre and across the way from Bradford Cathedral. Up a side street but under the shadow of the cathedral, the Guzelian is a small cafe type establishment which serves breakfast, lunch or tapas. The perfect place to relax with a fresh-ground coffee, glass of wine or tasty real ale… while appreciating the stunning photography on the walls"