Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Lower Whitley

"Imperial War Museum North (IWM North), Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M17 1TZ - Visit now. IWM North was designed by Daniel Libeskind, whose beautiful waterfront building was based on a globe shattered by war and houses a permanent collection, special exhibitions and events that consider the many ways conflict shapes society."

"Opened at The Quays in Trafford Park, Manchester in July 2002 and created to give northern audiences access to the national....."

"An acclaimed branch of the Tate Gallery, Tate Liverpool, has been established in the Albert Dock. As chance would have it, the London Tate Gallery - established at the end of the 19th century with a legacy from the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate - found space in the warehouses where raw sugar was stored before being refined. The ground floor of the 'Tate of the North" has exhibition halls and galleries dedicated to contemporary art as well as works on loan from the London gallery. Admission is free."

"Situated on the city’s famous Albert Dock, the Tate Liverpool houses an impressive collection of British and international modern and contemporary art. Currently on show is the exhibit “Tracy Emin and William Blake in focus”, which examines the parallels between the two artists. Visitors can also admire Judy Chicago’s Beatles-inspired mural, “Fixing a Hole”."

"Found in Whitworth Park, the Whitworth Art Gallery is part of the University of Manchester and owns more than 60,000 works of art. It was first opened in 1889 and now showcases paintings by the likes of William Blake, Thomas Gainsborough, and Camille Pissarro. There is also an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as a wallpaper collection, which includes more than 5,000 examples of vibrant papers."

"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."

"Popular permanent attractions of The Victorian Gallery and Lark Hill Place (re-creation of a typical northern street during Victorian times), as well as an ever-changing exhibition programme. The Museum also provides activities for children during the…"

"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."

"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."

"The Victoria Gallery & Museum is run by the University of Liverpool. The building itself is a beautiful, classic red brick Liverpool building and boasts many stunning weddings. The exhibitions range from the weird (false teeth) to the wonderful, and it is definitely worth a visit."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Arts space and cafe LEAF was included in Guardian Travel's first "budget eats" guide to Liverpool, in 2008, and is still going strong, albeit at a new address. In the meantime, owner Natalie Haywood has branched out at the media arts centre, FACT, and at Oh Me Oh My, a weekday cafe in a grand, Grade II-listed property opposite Liverpool's totemic Liver Building. LEAF and FACT are natural allies – way beyond their preference for upper case logos – and last year cemented their union when LEAF opened the Garden cafeteria at the centre."

"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."

"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"

"The Bluecoat is a true gem in Liverpool's city centre, but many shoppers are less aware of the shops inside. The Painted Chair has been open for three years and it is run by Jan Wooley, 52 who launched the business after leaving her previous role as a teacher. She said: "We are very much aimed at local people in Liverpool."

"Liverpool Everyman Theatre, 5-9 Hope Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BH - Visit now. The Everyman reopened in March 2014 after extensive renovation to its stage, restaurant and backstage areas; the newly opened version is sustainable, accessible and really rather swish. Inclusiveness runs through the new design – its frontage, dominated by a new “portrait wall”, shows 105 different Liverpool residents, cut into a metal facade."

"Founded in 1964, the Everyman Theatre has been bringing groundbreaking talent to Hope Street for over half a decade. The stage for early performances from Julie Walters, Bill Nighy and Bernard Hill, this venue is steeped in history – the building itself won the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture. Showing a range of plays from classic Shakespeare to brand new material, a show at the Everyman is not to be missed."

"Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 7DH - Visit now. This former trading hall underwent a £32m redevelopment after being severely damaged by the 1996 IRA bomb in Manchester’s city centre – and has been delivering stellar productions from its unusual seven-sided glass and steel theatre-in-the-round (the biggest in the UK), and smaller (but still excellent) studio, ever since. Productions here are renowned – both Vanessa Redgrave and Helen Mirren have graced the Royal Exchange’s stage."

"The Royal Exchange Theatre is free to visit, also when you don’t have tickets for a show. Besides the round stage in the middle of the dome you’ll also find the Rivals restaurant and bar and a theatre shop in the Royal Exchange Theatre. The pink illumination makes this theatre great for Instagram pictures."

"Admittedly, you have to pay for a theatre ticket if you want to watch a performance at the Royal Exchange Theatre. However, I really love the building itself, especially the pink Grand Hall, and think it’s worth a visit for the Victorian architecture alone."

"Chester Market won best small indoor market at the Great British market awards 2020 and we couldn’t be more proud!. It boasts a wonderful variety of unusual and traditional stalls you’re unlikely to find on the high street alongside an awesome range of delicious and nutritious food options with a central dining area perfectly situated for people watching. If you’re feeling like a glass of wine whilst browsing what the market has to offer, Vinological is a very popular independent wine merchant, deli and wine bar offering high quality wines by the glass or bottle at great value prices."

"Open Monday to Saturday, Chester Market is Chester’s only street food hub. Enjoy cuisines from across the globe or a refreshing craft beer in a relaxed, communal setting; or grab yourself some locally sourced fresh food from the local fishmonger and butcher. You can also do a spot of shopping for more than just food and drink, with everything from books and vinyl to clothing and footwear."

"This butchers on Chester's Garden Lane are offering free delivery of their products to customers around Chester. Join our Coronavirus in Cheshire - updates and advice Facebook group. To keep up to date with accurate information and advice on coronavirus in Cheshire, you can join our Coronavirus in Cheshire - updates and advice Facebook group."

"A visit to Great Homer Street Market – or ‘Greatie’ to the locals – is a long-running Scouse tradition. Taking place every Saturday between 9am and 4pm, you’ll find anything from clothes and garden furniture to food and trinkets here. Parking in the immediate area can be difficult so make sure you arrive early."

"If you like to be the first in line to try something new, head to Bill’s in Spinningfields. Their brand-new pancake menu will be available between 21st Feb – 1st March with a strong mix of vegan, non-vegan, sweet and savoury treats to gorge on. Location: Bill’s, Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB."

"Let's face it, nothing gets you through a difficult day in the office quite like a really great lunch. So forget about soggy sandwiches, sad salads and sweaty scotch eggs. The best lunch spots in Manchester are on hand to transform your day for the better."

"Giraffe is on the first floor in The Orient and is close to the escalators to the ground floor with plenty of room for buggies. The city centre also has a branch, in Spinningfields."

"Independently owned and dedicated to supplying great food and drink, Clockworks offers indulgently decadent breakfasts that really hit the spot. Using the finest ingredients without cutting corners on quality, you can enjoy filling food in a 200 year old building with an industrial look and the feel of a cosy cocktail bar. Menu favourites include candied belly bacon, wilted spinach and red pepper filled hash browns, Stornaway black pudding and a selection of freshly made vanilla waffles."

"One of Liverpool’s best loved restaurants, Clockworks is a hidden gem on Wolstenholme Square that specialises in hearty food, ales and signature cocktails. Housed in an historic building, the interior stays true to its past. With the combination of exposed red brick, steel and iron they have managed to create a comfortable and unique look back into a twisted industrial era."