Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Heaton

"One of five Imperial War Museums in the UK, Manchester’s addition to the repertoire is located in Media City. The striking aluminium-clad building houses a timeline of Britain’s conflicts since the First World War, drawing on different elements of war such as the involvement of women and the impact of science and technology on how wars are fought. Alongside the permanent exhibits are plenty of films and photographs showcasing what life was like during these conflicts.Imperial War Museum | © the yes man / Flickr"

"Inside this stunning building, you will find interesting and thought-proving exhibitions that show how war has shaped the world. Throughout the year there are new exhibitions exploring different stories, events and peoples experiences. The kids will enjoy getting hands-on in the TimeShack where they will find object handling sessions and storytelling sessions, and also getting creative in the Learning Studio where they can make something craft to take home!"

"The Imperial War Museum North is another Salford attraction that’s most definitely worth a visit. It’s within walking distance of The Lowry so you could easily combine the two for a day out in Greater Manchester. The focus of the museum is modern conflicts and the building itself was designed to purposefully confuse and unsettle visitors through illogical angles and leaning floors."

"Tate holds a national collection of British art, ranging from 1500 to the present day, as well as important pieces of international modern and contemporary art. Liverpool Tate is one of four major Tate galleries which together hold more than 70,000 artworks. Located in The Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Tate is a fascinating attraction and just minutes’ walk from ACC Liverpool."

"Liverpool is famous for its art collections and Tate Liverpool is one of its most well-known galleries. Tate Liverpool features work from the Tate Collection which showcases British art from the 16th century to the present. Tate Liverpool specialises in contemporary and modern art."

"The docks are home to the Liverpool Maritime Museum, the Beatles Story, the International Slavery Museum and the Tate Modern Art Gallery. This is a great place to stop off for coffee or lunch."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

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

"The museums in Salford give the very essence of its citizens and rich culture. If you are looking for something deeper and more meaningful, head to the museums in city. Explore the cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical side of Salford with these museums."

"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."

"A museum that beats all the traditional boring museums around the world, the Victoria Gallery Museum is known for its fun and interesting exhibits which truly captivate the young and old alike!"

"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"

"Key to the redevelopment of the Ropewalks quarter of Liverpool, and catering for the needs of film and art lovers since 2003, FACT was founded on a remit to "use the power of creative technology to inspire and enrich lives". Tucked behind the bohemian Bold St, this futuristic-looking space – made up of three floors of galleries, cinema screens, a cafe and a bar – celebrated a decade since its launch, in which time it has played host to pioneering work from Pipilotti Rist, Nam June Paik, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Kurt Hentschläger. 88 Wood Street, fact.co.uk."

"Liverpool's much-loved independent cinema and arts centre holds the title of the UK's leading organisation for the support and display of film, art and new media. FACT hosts a wide range of activities, screening and events for the whole family, including a Kids' Club film, accompanied by games and activities for young movie fans, on Saturdays. The weekly Big Scream Club is exclusively for parents and babies under one year old."

"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."

"The municipal museum was founded in 1848 and moved into its purpose-built Neoclassical home in 1857. This is one of the UK’s oldest town museums and the building has kept its original character. As with the best municipal museums, the collection is a big jumble of local industrial artefacts, Egyptology, Roman archaeology, coins, ethnographic displays, items from the Civil War and zoological and botanical specimens."

"Designated as a Grade II listed building, one third of the famous Three Graces, stands the amazing Port of Liverpool Building. Situated at the Pier Head and, along with the neighbouring Royal Liver Building and Cunard Building It is also part of Liverpool’s UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City. Designed in the Edwardian Baroque style, the Port of Liverpool Building is quite monumental in its physical structure, particularly noted for its large impressive dome, which acts as the focal point of the rectangular building."

"Another of Liverpool’s Three Graces, the Port of Liverpool Building is Grade II listed and a part of the Liverpool’s UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City. Originally purpose-built as the headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, this characteristic, Edwardian Baroque-style building has been standing since 1907. Brunswick Street, Liverpool, UK"

"The southernmost of 'Three Graces', the trio of Edwardian buildings at Pier Head, the Port of Liverpool building was completed in 1907. Its dome mimics St Paul's Cathedral."

"Five-star hotel The Lowry underwent a swanky new makeover in late 2019, including a new look for the two-AA-rosette restaurant and bar. Their luxurious dining & drinking terrace is the perfect place to relax out of reach of the bustle of the city centre. With a sunny view of the River Irwell and hospitality to beat, this is a luxury to be experienced in Manchester."

"Situated in The Lowry Hotel on the Manchester/ Salford border, this fine dining breakfast menu is unbeatable. The restaurant itself is glass-walled and overlooks the Santiago Calatrava’s Trinity Bridge. The decor includes purple leather chairs, semi-circular banquettes, Fornasetti plates and mirrors."

"Situated within the chic, boutique Hope Street Hotel, The London Carriage Works is an award-winning restaurant. It serves contemporary international fare that is overseen by director, chef and local food champion Paul Askew, who also acts as the chairman of the Liverpool Restaurant Association. Askew’s lover of local is clear in his preference for fresh, seasonal produce form the North West region; local suppliers include Wirral-based producers Claremont Farm, famous for its asparagus, and Ward’s Fish, a family fishmongers that has been in business since 1927."

"A 2 AA-Rosette restaurant in Liverpool, The London Carriage Works serves modern British dishes using local, seasonal produce. With a name arising from the former occupiers of its Victorian site, the restaurant is now a modern venue with wooden flooring…"

"Based in the Northern Quarter, this café serves breakfast and lunch dishes including a large range of hot dishes. One TripAdvisor traveller said: “I usually venture in here for the Full English (and then I'm so stuffed I never need to eat again all day!) or the Indian Panini but I tried one of the specials today and was not left disappointed."