Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Stockton Heath

"The Northern arm of the Imperial War Museum does not disappoint and is a fantastic day out, showing how war affects people’s lives and is great for children to learn lots about the history of the UK during the times of war. At the moment there us a special Horrible Histories exhibition about the Blitz and we had a really lovely day when we visited last year. The exhibition finishes on 10th April and is well worth the visit."

"IWM North highlights the impact of war on people's lives through their stories and artefacts, plus military vehicles and aircraft and audio-visual displays. There are a range of special exhibitions, educational events and children's activities on offer…"

"The northern branch of the Imperial War Museum (obviously), this fascinating spot overlooks the Manchester Ship Canal, an apt spot if ever there was one."

"This location lives up to the Tate name and reputation, and brings many famous artworks to the North West to be enjoyed by all. The Tate Liverpool is home to the work of internationally renowned artists of the 20th and 21st century. Curating modern and contemporary art to paint a picture of both UK and international historical art movements, the Tate Liverpool houses an outstanding collection as well as hosts fantastic travelling exhibitions, talks, and collections by celebrated curators and artists on a global scale."

"Good news for anyone who missed seeing Don McCullin’s incredible photographs of Liverpool and beyond because that exhibition has been extended until September 5 and can be booked now. You can also book tickets for free displays including Aliza Nisenbaum’s portraits of Merseyside’s NHS workers, the Biennial and two new displays of the Tate collection. Reopening is being planned for May 17."

"The Tate has a great post on its website about what families can do and how they can enjoy the museum together which you can find here. There are trails and activity packs and games to play around the museum. There is a free play for children to play and with ever changing exhibits its a trip that can be repeated time and time again without the kids getting bored."

"Over the past 125+ years, the Whitworth has seen many transformations but none so much as its recent £15 million development, resulting in accolades such as RIBA National Award and Art Fund’s Museum of the Year 2015. Now home to an internationally important collection numbering 60,000 works - blending high-profile names like Blake, Spencer, Rembrandt and Moore with fresh new talent - the gallery’s principal aim remains the same: ‘the perpetual gratification of the people of Manchester’."

"With an eclectic collection that includes historic fine art and contemporary art works, a fine collection of textiles from across the world, sculpture, prints, wallpaper and more, there’s lots to enjoy at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Cornelia Parkers Exhibition, Whitworth Art Gallery. A highlight of the fine art collection is work by famous pre-Raphaelite artists including Holman Hunt, Rossetti, Millais and others."

"Address: The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER. Phone number: 0161 275 7450. Part of the University of Manchester, this collection of over 60,000 pieces ranges from historic fine art to contemporary art, prints and sculptures."

"Surrounded by the University of Salford, this sizeable museum is on the south side of Peel Park, mapping the history of Salford and with a large inventory of Victorian art. The museum dates to 1850, and would be worth a visit just to appreciate its Italianate Renaissance-style galleries. These have been arranged to reflect the layout of a Victorian museum, with paintings, decorative art and sculpture all competing for your attention in the same space."

"Artworks illustrating the ever-present tensions between the natural world and the human race, including The Eruption of the Soufriere Mountains in the Island of St Vincent by JW Turner. A New Beauty: Romanticism in Art 1880-1920. Display exploring the evolving ways that physical attractiveness was depicted from the late 1800s."

"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."

"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."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user JohnShipley89 used under CC BY 4.0. Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is Warrington’s premier art gallery and houses over 200,00 exhibits and objects, covering everything from local history to numismatics, from archaeology to ethnology. Located right in the centre of town, the Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is very easy to find and well worth a visit."

"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."

"Not only a great place to catch the latest films, it also puts on regular exhibitions by a range of international artists focusing on creative media and digital technology. You’ll find three galleries to explore as well as a café and bar where you can talk art and film with friends. Opening Times: Tuesday-Sunday 11:00-6:00 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ 8 minute walk from LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus and a 15-minute walk from LJMU City Campus."

"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."

"Whatever the time of day, we have a dish to suit your mood; from steak frites and boeuf bourguignon to a selection of croques, baguettes and vegan options too – all on our menu of classic French food with a contemporary twist.” They offer breakfast and brunch dishes such as the Grande Breakfast (two free-range eggs, two Cumberland sausages, sweet cure bacon, beans, mushroom, tomato, black pudding, sautéed potatoes and sourdough toast), Pancakes (three warm pancakes topped with your choice of sweet cure bacon, banana and maple syrup, or fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and pineapple with fruit compot, and French Toast (two slices of sweet brioche bread topped with your choice of sweet cure bacon, banana and maple syrup, chocolate sauce, banana and hazelnuts or fresh seasonal fruit, honey and vanilla crème fraîche)."

"This eclectic little bakery was established in 2013 and offers 100 percent vegan custom cakes, donuts, tortes, other desserts, and even light breakfast and lunch fare. Whether you want a colorful, whimsical cake or a more subdued, classically beautiful cake, it can be tailored to your special occasion. They have standard and more unique cake flavors such as their Gin and Tonic with Lime and Raspberry and Pistachio, and the same goes for their donuts with the Peanut Butter and Cherry Black Forest and the Chocolate Orange Cream."

"Found just off Hulme Park, this vegan cafe and ice cream parlour provide soya-based delights for those hankering ice cream without the cream, along with a great selection of vegetarian breakfast and lunch options. They’re known for frequenting festivals and will be at Chorlton Vegan Fair and Parklife this summer. St Wilfrid’s Enterprise Centre, Royce Rd, Hulme, M15 5BJ"

"We love ice cream that’s good for the animals just as much as it’s good for us. TeaTime Collective dedicate their whole ice cream range to dairy-free loveliness. It’s a bakery/cafe on Oldham Street and it’s home to dairy-free treats."

"Based in Prestwich, The Cheesefake Company makes vegan cheesecakes for collection from their HQ daily and from the city centre on Wednesdays. Toppings include Biscoff, Chocolate Orange, Oreo, Banoffee, Black Forest, Lemon Meringue and Jammy Dodger. Visit their website for details on how to order: cheesefake.co.uk/shop."