Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in West Didsbury

"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."

"The Imperial War Museum, the huge silver structure across the water from MediaCityUK, will be back open from May 19. The main exhibition space, along with the Big Picture Show - which projects documentary-style footage and stories onto the walls of the gallery - will both return. The exhibition Aid Workers: Ethics Under Fire is also open, free to visit and extended until September 24."

"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."

"Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 4WU - Visit now. A family friendly city museum that stakes a claim as the UK’s first free public library. Explore the historic Lark Hill Place street installation then let loose in Peel Park."

"In the old Peak Hydrophathic Hotel (1880) the Buxton Museum and Gallery has exhibitions for archaeology, history and geology, all sourced in the town and the Peak District. The Wonders of the Peak exhibition presents a timeline from the Big Bang to the Victorian period. You’ll learn how the range was formed and inspect fossils of Pliocene mammals that once prowled the Peak District, like scimitar-toothed cats and cave lions."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Home to industrial interiors, foamy brews and meaty dishes, The Crafty Pig is coming up trumps in the foodie department. Make your way through their roster of impressive craft beers."

"Salford Cathedral is situated on Chapel Street in the City of Salford, which sits opposite Manchester city centre on the west bank of the River Irwell. The City of Salford covers a large swathe of western Greater Manchester, with its centre adjacent to Manchester’s. Chapel Street, a long west to east boulevard connecting the cathedral with Salford Central rail station, was the first street in the world to be illuminated entirely by gas light."

"A striking relic of the Industrial Age, the Warrington Transporter Bridge crosses the River Mersey in the town and dates back to 1915. This Grade II-listed monument is the last of three transporter bridges over the River Mersey in Cheshire and was constructed to link two parts of Joseph Crosfield and Sons’ chemical and soap factories. Made of steel beams, the bridge has a span of 61 metres and stands 23 metres above the river’s high water level."

"The home of Manchester City FC was built to house the 2002 Commonwealth Games, but a condition of its building was that it could be converted from an athletics stadium into one suitable for football, and this was carried out shortly after the games…"

"Migrating North for the first time, cult London vegan kebab outlet What The Pitta finally opens here on 7 January for delivery and takeaway with eat-in available when restrictions are lifted. We wrote about What The Pitta last year but in a nutshell, it’s one of those gaffs that focuses on doing one thing and doing it well. In this case, that’s pitta stuffed with a family recipe for vegan kebab 'meat'."

"One of the best vegan restaurants in Manchester's Northern Quarter, What The Pitta is a firm fave for meat-free feasting. See what the fuss is about with their range of veggie döner kebabs, gyros wraps and juicy burgers, with delicious desserts from The Cheesefake Company."

"The first Instagrammable place that we visited in Manchester was a trendy coffee and breakfast spot called Hampton and Vouis, which reminded me of a show home in a luxury property development. I really liked the pink colours and beautiful designs and if you’re looking for a perfect photo spot in Manchester that is not so busy in the morning, head there!. If you need to store your luggage in a safe place, while you’re exploring the city, I recommend using LuggageHero – they have a lot of storage locations and amazing rates."

"Taking great pride its award-winning speciality coffee, Hampton & Vouis is still open this weekend in the heart of the city centre to grab yourself a freshly-brewed cup to go. 31 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EW. You can find more information via the Hampton & Vouis website here."

"Although situated just outside of Manchester city centre, on Wilmslow Road, this restaurant definitely deserves a mention on this list. Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen offers so much more choice than your usual vegetarian restaurant. With veggie prawns, beef, and even duck, this restaurant has gone all the way with creating the perfect Asian dishes with bursts of flavour all suitable for all palettes."

"For those seeking vegetarian and vegan options, Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen is the perfect venue. Not only does this restaurant avoid using garlic, onion and leeks, it also caters to any sort of dietary requirements customers might have. The owners are a couple from Hong Kong who want to introduce healthier meal choices to the community."