Best Arts and Culture Places in Ashton-on-Ribble

"A superb collection of British art and a hefty number of European masters are the highlights at the city's top art gallery. It's home to the best assemblage of Pre-Raphaelite art as well as a permanent collection of pre-17th-century art, mostly by Dutch and early Renaissance masters. It also hosts exciting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. The gallery runs a free hour-long highlights tour from 2pm to 3pm Thursday to Sunday."

"The greatest evidence of this lies in the historic Manchester Art Gallery. Boasting an eclectic mixture of classic and contemporary work to suit all eyes and tastes, every person from the curious to the connoisseur can find something to light their fire at the Manchester Art Gallery. The art collection here spans an impressive 6 centuries!"

"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."

"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."

"Lovers of both books and architecture will delight in one of Manchester’s most beloved buildings. This neogothic structure is filled with one of the most extensive collections of literature in the entire country, but it’s not just for academics. Spend a few hours getting lost in its many rooms, staircases and corridors to fully appreciate the attention to detail of the building."

"John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3EH - Visit now. Regularly named one of the finest libraries in the world, make like you are in Hogwarts together and be wowed by this incredible place with regular free family trails and creative sessions."

"For the library lovers amongst us, the fun doesn’t end there. The John Rylands Library, now run as part of the similarly prestigious University of Manchester, is a grade 1 listed building. The library opened in 1900 at a cost of £200,000, and has been renovated on just 3 occasions over the 118 years following its emergence."

"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’."

"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."

"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."

"The Grundy Art Gallery is something of a hidden gem in Blackpool, although it is located only steps from the Promenade. Featuring a variety of exhibitions and artwork from established and emerging artists, it also displays historically important artwork loaned from important UK institutions. Blackpool has a very strong cultural history and a lively pop culture, which the gallery sets out to explore in whole new ways, making it the leading visual arts centre in the northwest."

"The Grundy Art Gallery is a historical gallery located in Blackpool. The Gallery was established in 1911. It contains paintings and artworks of local artists and UK artists."

"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."

"Established in 2000 as a ‘creative space for young people’, Z-arts has learning at its core. The family-friendly Hulme venue offers a welcoming, vibrant and safe environment to get creative in."

"Live participation classes are already up and running at Z-Arts, but it'll be a little wait for the theatre and gallery spaces. See the latest updates at z-arts.org/see-whats-on."

"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"

"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’."

"Former winner of the Blackpool "Restaurant of the Year" award, La Fontana has been in business for over 25 years. Seated in the refreshing courtyard with a fountain, diners will be able to choose from a wide variety of Italian dishes. Vegetarian options available."

"17 Clifton Street, Blackpool FY1 1JD| TripAdvisor rating: 4.5 | One customer posted: "Wonderful service, fantastic waiting staff who were busy the whole night but constantly vigilant. Food was incredible and served quickly. Will be back."

"One of the newer music venues in the city, Off The Square already looks to be creating an exciting buzz within Manchester’s music community. With lots of exciting and emerging artists on the bill, we’re sure this venue will be legendary in years to come. You never know, you could be telling all your friends about how you saw the next big thing in a basement before they were big."

"A contemporary pub that pours fantastic modern and seasonal beers, amongst many other drinks from crafted cocktails to wine. With 17 rotating beers on tap, there’s more than enough flavours to choose from. From fresh IPAs to a tasty blueberry cheesecake stout, they are known for really pushing the boat out and helping you discover new flavours."

"Welcome to Walkabout Come in and experience the awesome spirit of Australia. From the best seats on the high street for sport to the ultimate party venue."