Best Arts and Culture Places in Bretherton

"Manchester Art Gallery is the original useful museum, started in 1823 by artists, as an educational institution to make sure that the city and all its people grow with creativity, imagination, productivity, and health. It is free and open to all people as a place of civic thinking and public imagination, it promotes art as a means to achieve social change. It has been at the centre of city life for almost 200 years, created as the Royal Manchester Institution for the Promotion of Literature, Science and the Arts."

"If you are a culture seeker, the Manchester Art Gallery is the perfect place for you to be. Over 25,000 works of art from all over the world adorn the walls of this popular gallery of art. But the interesting part is that isn’t just a display of art."

"Opposite the Lowry on the south side of the Manchester Ship Canal in Trafford Park is one of five branches for the Imperial War Museum, opened in 2002. This remarkable building, with three interlocking metallic shards (invoking air, earth and water), was designed by Daniel Libeskind and intended to induce a feeling of disorientation apt for war. The entrance is in the 55-metre-high “air shard”, while the permanent exhibition is on the first floor in the “earth shard”."

"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."

"This museum focuses chiefly on the human cost of war in the 20th and 21st centuries. From Feb 6–June 13 it will exhibit the work of and personal memorabilia of war photographer Don McCullin. Other exhibitions include images by Sean Sutton, an exploration of the life of Odette Hallowes, the heroine of World War Two, and a photographic display marking the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall."

"The John Rylands Library is a late-Victorian neo-Gothic building that today is party of the University of Manchester Library. While plenty come here to research and study their historic collection, it's worth a visit for the amazing architecture of the library. Venture through the Reading Room for a vast room shot and make sure to marvel at all of the ornate wooden carvings and designs throughout the site."

"One of Manchester's most beautiful buildings, the John Rylands Library on Deansgate is a fine example of Vicorian neo-gothic architecture which houses some of the most significant books and manuscripts ever produced. Following a recent multi-million pound re-development, the building is a major visitor attraction for Manchester - not to mention a beautiful space to study. 150 Deansgate, 0161 834 5343"

"John Ryland’s Library is my personal favourite photo location in Manchester. It’s a working library of the University of Manchester, so make sure to keep quiet and not disturb students that are preparing for their assignments."

"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."

"Found in Whitworth Park, the Whitworth Art Gallery is part of the University of Manchester and owns more than 60,000 works of art. It was first opened in 1889 and now showcases paintings by the likes of William Blake, Thomas Gainsborough, and Camille Pissarro. There is also an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as a wallpaper collection, which includes more than 5,000 examples of vibrant papers."

"The collections at the Grundy Gallery boast an eclectic programme of historic and contemporary exhibits, housed in a beautiful Grade II listed Edwardian building. The collections feature the work of both established and emerging artists from the UK and abroad, as well as historically important works loaned from major UK institutions and objects from its own permanent collection. The gallery aims to cater to a wide audience with an ambitious and varied year-round programme that draws on the unique and invigorating context and heritage of Blackpool, for instance exploring the space between contemporary art, entertainment and popular culture."

"Take a break from the entertainment and enjoy some art at the Grundy Art Galler. More than 100 years old, it displays artists from the UK and all over the world, both emergent and established. Mminutes from the promenade, the gallery regularly hosts special exhibitions, with volunteer guides on-site and audio tours available."

"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."

"This underground bohemian non-profit café serves also as an exhibition space for local up and coming artists; so enjoy coffee and lunch, while admiring the latest art installation, in the company of creative individuals. Tucked away, just off Oldham Street, lit with a neon pink sign, and a quirky window display, follow the artwork down the stairs as you are led into the café. Greeted by a buzz of chatter, an assortment of miss matched comfy chairs, and a book case with books to borrow, you are instantly made to feel welcome."

"This not-for-profit establishment located in the heart of Manchester has combined creativeness with non-alcoholic beverages and craftsmanship. This is the perfect place to head if you’re looking for a relaxed yet fun atmosphere. Regular events and art exhibitions are extremely popular here, the delicious cups of hot coffee are just a great bonus!"

"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."

"Like Contemporary Six, Generation also offers the Own Art scheme. Artworks range from under £100, to a whopping £49,000, with bestsellers including Kerry Darlington’s fantastical resin creations and JJ Adams’ subversive celebrity depictions. Whether you’re a serious collector, or simply after a quirky piece for your home, you’d do well do beat it."

"This handsome restaurant in the Corn Exchange is the first English branch of Alston’s award-winning Glaswegian restaurant. It specialises in gin and steak, with each cut selected from the top one per cent of Scottish beef and dry hung for 35 days for optimum flavour before being cooked in specialist Montague ovens."

"This Glaswegian steak house is sequestered beneath Manchester’s beautiful Corn Exchange and specialises in cold-compound gins and the finest Aberdeen Angus beef. Pop next door into their hidden gin bar afterwards for a cocktail to end the night on a high."

"Quilligans enjoy brunch and breakfast items like an American breakfast (2 Poached Eggs, 2 Bacon, 3 American Pancakes and Golden Syrup), a breakfast omelette (3 eggs with a choice of any 2 fillings from bacon, sausage, mushrooms, beans, cheese, onion, tomato, black pudding), A Jumbo Full English Breakfast (2 Bacon, 2 Sausage, 2 Eggs, Beans, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, 1 Hash Brown, 1 Black pudding and 2 Toast with marmalade) or simply a sausage sandwich."

"The lively atmosphere and retro décor have ensured Quilligan’s reputation as a local favorite. This trendy hot-spot dishes up an amazing range of breakfasts. With all meals homemade on the premises and created using only top-quality ingredients, it’s not hard to explain Quilligan’s popularity."