Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Peak Dale

"Explore collections that tell the stories of conflict, from the First World War to the present day in IWM North’s Main Exhibition Space. Discover the forgotten histories of service personnel and civilians, see conflict through the eyes of artists and immerse yourself in the Big Picture Show this summer. This is a place where every object on display, every contemporary work of art and every exhibition is designed to live long in the memory."

"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!"

"Imperial War Museum North is a museum in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, England. Imperial War Museum North is situated 400 metres west of Lowry Outlet Shopping. Photo: pit-yacker, CC BY-SA 2.0."

"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."

"After an extensive renovation project, the Whitworth is the best place in the city to view a collection of exciting contemporary art. Keep your eyes peeled on their exciting events calendar, pay a visit to their fabulous restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding park and pick up a picnic basket of art supplies to spark your own creativity."

"Reopened in 2015 after a £15m transformation, Manchester’s gallery in the park is home to an internationally important collection of art, including significant work by William Blake and J.M.W. Turner. It also hosts an exciting roster of visiting exhibitions and events. Visit the website for the latest information."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Some of my favourite bars here are Tib Street Tavern, Lammars, Dry Bar and The Terrace. If you head towards the Town Hall and Albert Square, you will find numerous bars and restaurants that all offer great food and reasonably priced cocktails."

"With it Tex-Mex menu, it is a fantastic restaurant and bar which hosts 5 full length ten pin bowling lanes within the same venue, so you can eat, drink and play all within the same building. Part of Black Dog Ballroom, Dog Bowl is a quirky and unique venue that’s guaranteed to add a little fun to your Manchester stag weekend…. Nothing beats a little competitiveness between friends,"

"Looking for a cheap lunch in Manchester with flavour and fun to boot?. Not only does the weekday lunch menu only set guests back a mere £5 at Dog Bowl, you can finish off your meal with a dose of bowling in their unique Manchester venue."

"With half price offers for students, this is a date night spot that you’ve just got to try. Loser buys the next round of drinks?. View this post on Instagram"

"Fress are best-known for doing a banging bottomless brunch – but you should also know about their desserts. From brownies to cookie dough and even a topped croissant, Fress have a fab range of new and exciting sweet treats ready to try. Customer favourites include their Afternoon Tea selection which hosts a whole tier of Fess’s homemade goodies, from their Biscoff cheesecake to a stack of blueberry pancakes."

"Edible petals could be classed as pretentious which I claimed Manchester wasn’t – but I let it off because this brunch was melt-in-the-mouth good. My £9.50 french toast was topped with berry compote, mascarpone ice cream, mint"

"There’s no doubt Fress is best-known for its mouth-watering comfort food, bottomless brunches, and indulgent sweet treats, but did you know you can also pop in to grab a takeaway coffee of your choice this weekend too?"

"Best Dish: Steamed beef tripe honeycomb in black pepper sauce. Ask for the Cantonese dim sum menu, as that’s where you’ll find the most interesting dishes such as smoky pork cheung fun, mixed meat croquette, sticky rice with smoked diced meats, whelks in an mysterious glutinous sauce, deep fried cuttlefish and yam cakes with smoked meat (read our review here). Mei Dim, 45-47 Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4EE. Tel: 0161 236 6868"