Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Merston Drive

"From personal survivor accounts to common conflict themes, the Imperial War Museums explores the human aspect of war and the effect it has on everyday life before, during and after. Featuring one-off exhibitions as well as a main showcase and connected to other similar museums around the UK, the IWM shines and light on the conflicts Britain and the Commonwealth have been involved in since World War I. Focusing on the many changes war has brought to the UK, from the role of women in society to technology and science advances."

"This museum focuses chiefly on the human cost of war in the 20th and 21st centuries. From Feb 6–June 13 it will exhibit the work of and personal memorabilia of war photographer Don McCullin. Other exhibitions include images by Sean Sutton, an exploration of the life of Odette Hallowes, the heroine of World War Two, and a photographic display marking the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall."

"As the name suggests, the Imperial War Museum takes visitors on a walk through military history. There is a range of interactive and static exhibits here and the museum sits on The Quays, another iconic area of Manchester. Afterwards, pop over to Elnecot for a tasty bite to eat."

"Manchester's second most important art gallery is arguably its most beautiful, following a restoration that saw the doubling of its exhibition space through the opening of its sides and back, and the construction of glass-screened promenades. Inside is a fine collection of British watercolours, the best selection of historic textiles outside London and galleries devoted to the work of artists from Dürer and Rembrandt to Lucian Freud and David Hockney."

"Take a walk right down to the end of Oxford Road and you’ll find The Whitworth. An impressive and ornate red-brick structure, this popular Manchester art gallery certainly looks the part from the outside – and once inside visitors will find over 60,000 internationally important artworks to explore. Everything from weaving to sculpture is included within its recently refurbished walls – and best of all, much of it is free to explore."

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

"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."

"Sundays and Bank Holidays from midday to 16:00 (March to September only). Buxton Museum and Art Gallery provides an interesting, fun and free way to learn about how the landscape of the Peak District was shaped over time. The award-winning ‘Wonders of the Peak’ gallery will take you and the kids on a journey through the ages, from the Big Bang all the way to the Victorian era."

"Free to enter, Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is a modern and well-curated way into the geology, archaeology, art and history of the Peak District."

"1857 museum with 200,000 artifacts displayed in original Victorian glass cabinets, plus fine art. Address : Bold St, Warrington WA1 1DR, United Kingdom"

"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."

"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."

"While idling in the Pavilion Gardens you could call in at this gallery in the main building next to the tourist information desk. The Gallery in the Gardens is a platform for painting and arts and crafts by more than 40 local artists and craftspeople. Their works are for sale and include textiles, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, embroidery, glass, linocuts, etchings, woodcarvings and prints."

"Since you’ll find yourself within The Pavilion Gardens, you might want to pay The Gallery in the Gardens a visit. It’s an art gallery featuring paintings, ceramics, and other crafts by local artists. Support the local artists’ high-quality masterpieces by making a purchase or two if you can."

"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"

"Home to a collection of impressive oil paintings, ceramics, local history and a fine selection of the famous Leek Embroideries. Walk in the footsteps of William Morris, D.H. Lawrence, Oscar Wilde and John Betjeman."

"Proudly standing in the heart of this spa town is Buxton Opera House. Designed by celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham, it opened amidst great celebration on 1st June 1903. You can still enjoy year-round live performances here and it’s always worth checking online to see what’s on."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user It's No Game used under CC BY-SA 2.0. Buxton Opera House has 902 seats and it is home to the annual Buxton Festival. It was also the host venue for the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, pantomime at Christmas, and several musical events."

"Yes, Buxton has one of its own, designed by Frank Matcham no less, with a busy and varied programme. Next week there’ll be performances of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, hot from the West End."

"This is truly an amazing building and its history also tells the history of Manchester. Not officially a museum, The Royal Exchange is definitely worth exploring. You only need to step into the great entrance hall to understand why you should pop in."

"23/05/2021: Recently came to have a meal and was very pleased with the welcome from the host along with helping with track and trace and being covid secure, loveliest staff members taking our orders and they were more than helpful in accommodating me with my nut allergy and double checking the food contents. Very much appreciate not being made to feel like a burden with my allergens, would highly recommend to visit and enjoy good food and surroundings. 17/05/2021: The staff were great, following COVID guidelines only down side was the outside area has not been touched during the lockdown there are cigarette bins broken off the wall and the seating is old and haggard it needs some investment"

"PLY, 26 Lever Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1DW - Visit now. The waft of pizza and the soft music are the final pieces in an atmospheric puzzle that makes PLY one of the most welcoming pizzerias in Manchester."

"Just really delicious and cheap food in Manchester city centre. Visit PLY at lunchtime when all pizzas are £6.50 – bargain. Where: 26 Lever Street."