Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Shawforth

"Housed in an iconic aluminium-clad building designed by Daniel Libeskind, the IWM North houses several fascinating exhibitions which tell the story of how a century of wars have affected people’s lives in Britain. The main exhibition space shows a timeline of the wars that Britain has been involved with since the First World War. The Big Picture Show uses the latest HD projection technology to tell people’s stories of war in a vivid and captivating way."

"Imperial War Museum North, one of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, centers on the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. Found in Trafford Park, the museum's location and building is worth the visit alone, with amazing modern architecture right on Salford Quays. The museum's main exhibition, which has free admission, looks the impact of war on our culture via 2,000 objects, photographs, and interactive displays."

"The award winning museum explores how our lives have been shaped by war, from a soldier’s last letter home, to the fall of New York City's World Trade Center. Address: The Quays, Wharf Road, M17 1TZ. Telephone: 0161 836 4000"

"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."

"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."

"Part of the University of Manchester, The Whitworth acts as a bridge between the university and the people of the city by providing a space to meet, play and learn. The gallery has been named Best Emerging Cultural Destination in Europe and includes gallery spaces, a study centre, learning studio and collections centre."

"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."

"Cartwright Hall Art Gallery is a leading regional art gallery, situated in the beautiful surroundings of Lister Park. The gallery has been home to a variety of prints for more than a hundred years. Where they are proud to housework by William Blake, Francisco Goya, and Walter Sickert – all master printmakers."

"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"

"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."

"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"

"Deansgate’s Barton Arcade plays host to Pot Kettle Black – a glass fronted coffee haven that has Mancunians flocking from all over the city. I’m yet to see PKB empty, which is testament to their consistently high standards and some of the best coffee in the City. Also a sanctuary for freelancers I’m not the first to have spent an entire day in PKB, keeping fuelled by their beverages and snacks and I’m positive that I won’t be the last."

"This boutique coffee house situated in the beautiful Victorian building, Barton Arcade, is owned by Rugby League’s Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan. The core coffee PKB uses for standard espresso, Piccolo, Flat While, Latte and Cappuccino is Workshop’s ‘Cult of Done’. Prices start at £2.30 for an espresso, rising to £3.50 for a cup of one of their exclusive filter specialities."

"Located in the beautiful Barton Arcade, you can find one of my all-time favourite coffee spots: Pot Kettle Black. They have another shop in Spinningfield, but this one is my favourite. Probably because of the beautiful interior of both the cafe and the stylish Barton Arcade."

"Housed in an iconic aluminium-clad building designed by Daniel Libeskind, the IWM North houses several fascinating exhibitions which tell the story of how a century of wars have affected people’s lives in Britain. The main exhibition space shows a timeline of the wars that Britain has been involved with since the First World War. The Big Picture Show uses the latest HD projection technology to tell people’s stories of war in a vivid and captivating way."

"Imperial War Museum North, one of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, centers on the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. Found in Trafford Park, the museum's location and building is worth the visit alone, with amazing modern architecture right on Salford Quays. The museum's main exhibition, which has free admission, looks the impact of war on our culture via 2,000 objects, photographs, and interactive displays."

"The award winning museum explores how our lives have been shaped by war, from a soldier’s last letter home, to the fall of New York City's World Trade Center. Address: The Quays, Wharf Road, M17 1TZ. Telephone: 0161 836 4000"

"Contact Theatre will be heading out across Manchester this summer for a series of outdoor performances. Contact is an Oxford Road theatre and performing arts venue creating and producing its own shows, as well as hosting tours from the world’s best theatre companies. Contact will be heading out across the city this summer, delivering a series of outdoor performances before its building reopens to the public in September 2021."

"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"