Best Arts and Culture Places in Didsbury

"In the heart of the city centre, just off St Peters Sqaure, you can find one of the country's finest art collections in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings. Highlights include outstanding pre-Raphaelite paintings, craft and design and early 20th century British art."

"Manchester Art Gallery is a public art museum on Mosley Street (near St Peter Square). It’s actually made of 3 buildings. The main one was built in 1823 after a design from Sir Charles Barry."

"Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) is also worth visiting, especially if you have an interest in the history of warfare. Opened in 2002, this branch of the Imperial War Museum is a popular attraction for its collections of fighting vehicles and aircrafts. Highlights of a visit include audiovisual presentations and exhibits dealing with the history of warfare and its role in shaping civilization."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"The John Rylands Library is part of the University of Manchester. As well as being home to one of the world’s best collections of rare books and manuscripts, the victorian building itself is very beautiful and well worth visiting for lovers of fine architecture. John Rylands Library"

"The Whitworth relaunched in 2015 after a massive refurbishment and only went on to win an award for Museum of the Year by the Art Fund in its first year. They have a constantly changing display of collections and a wide spectrum of art in their temporary exhibitions. The Whitworth is located in South Manchester, I would recommend taking public transport as it’s quite a walk otherwise."

"From Wednesday May 19, the stunning Whitworth gallery will be partially reopen to the public, with a film screening of Imran Perretta: the destructors on display. The cafe will be back open too, but the full gallery will be up and running again by July 1, in time for its MIF21 summer exhibition. Plan your visit at whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/visit."

"The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester has a very Instagrammable restaurant. With all glass walls it feels like your in the middle of nature. You have beautiful views over the park in which you can find the Whitworth Gallery."

"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."

"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."

"Isla, which opened in 2017, now occupies two units in the upmarket Cavendish Shopping Arcade, has a lovely selection of unusual gifts and homewares (some of which are made locally) and also a wide range of greeting cards featuring designs you won’t really see in the chain store greeting cards shops. The shop also specialises in selling original art works – again many of which feature local artists. The shop is a lovely array of pretty things and ideal if you’re looking for a gift with a difference or something unusual for the wall at home."

"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."

"The municipal museum was founded in 1848 and moved into its purpose-built Neoclassical home in 1857. This is one of the UK’s oldest town museums and the building has kept its original character. As with the best municipal museums, the collection is a big jumble of local industrial artefacts, Egyptology, Roman archaeology, coins, ethnographic displays, items from the Civil War and zoological and botanical specimens."

"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."

"Castlefield Gallery established by artists in 1984, nestled in the heart of Manchester’s Knott Mill area. It is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists. They are focused on developing visual artists’ practices and careers whilst creating opportunities for the public to engage with the art of their time."

"Established by artists in 1984, Castlefield Gallery is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists."

"Edward Smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Clowes Park, also known as Broughton Hall or Broughton Park, has a large maintained lake with numerous viewing points, as well as a small area of woodland. The park is also home to the Life for a Life memorial forest, which was opened in 2016."

"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"

"In the heart of the city centre, just off St Peters Sqaure, you can find one of the country's finest art collections in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings. Highlights include outstanding pre-Raphaelite paintings, craft and design and early 20th century British art."

"Manchester Art Gallery is a public art museum on Mosley Street (near St Peter Square). It’s actually made of 3 buildings. The main one was built in 1823 after a design from Sir Charles Barry."

"South of the border' passion is always served up at Chiquito. A menu of bold Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine is prepared however the diner likes it."

"Whether you're looking to start your weekend with a bang or seeking hair of the dog, Foundry Project's bottomless brunch is only £22. This NQ spot even has a tempting morning menu to add a bit of 'get up and go' to your day, including a dedicated hangover-curing pizza."

"Nestled in the Northern Quarter, Foundry Project is the go-to for cheat day eats like oven-baked pizzas and stacked burgers. Spread across two floors, they've got mid-morning brunch, late night drinks and dancing till the early hours."

"Along with a banging happy hour, Foundry Project is also cutting costs when eating out in Manchester with their £7 lunch menu. There's a curated choice for everyone, with salads, burgers and pizzas all part of the deal."