Best Arts and Culture Places in St Helens

"Located right in the heart of the city centre, the beautiful Manchester Art Gallery will open most areas of the gallery on May 19. Visitors will be able to explore an exhibition of works selected by artist Grayson Perry during Grayson’s Art Club, the popular Channel 4 TV series, as well as see its collection of 25,000 objects from across the centuries. You can walk in to most of the gallery, but will need to pre-book for Grayson's Art Club at manchesterartgallery.org"

"Located on Mosley Street, Manchester Art Gallery is a free entry gallery that has been at the centre of life in Manchester for nearly 200 years. The gallery strives for social change through its collections, displays and public programmes. Pay a visit to see exhibitions including Grayson’s Art Club and What is Manchester Art Gallery."

"Fresh from a £35m renovation, Manchester Art Gallery is well worth a visit for art lovers, and the merely curious. Manchester Art Gallery Exterior. With more than 25,000 objects in their collections, including 13,000 pieces of fine art, and another 13,000 in the craft and design collection - there’s certainly lots to enjoy."

"At media city, you will also discover other sites such as the Imperial War Museum – a huge and beautifully designed aluminium clad building; the Lowry Theatre and Shopping Mall and from the Quayside the view of one of the biggest football clubs in the world, Manchester United."

"A visit to the museum will help you explore how modern conflicts have affected the British society at large. The Imperial War Museum North is in Greater Manchester. It sits inside an unmissable aluminium building designed by Daniel Libeskind."

"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."

"Renowned as the best example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe, The University of Manchester’s John Rylands Library has an enthralling history. Today the library offers visitors a glimpse at one of the world’s richest collections of rare books and manuscripts, as well as hosting a range of events and exhibition, from historic art displays to international cultural celebrations. The John Rylands Library, 0161 306 0555, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH"

"For those who set eyes on Deansgate's The John Rylands Library for the first time, 'library' might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. The library's collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment, as well as magnificent illuminated medieval manuscripts and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales."

"You may crave some culture next, and Manchester is more than able to accommodate. The John Rylands Library is an excellent choice with late 19th century gothic architecture to appreciate and fresh, new exhibits rotating through every couple of months. You will be captivated by the juxtaposition of old and new and enthralled by the art and imagination of the works inside."

"Tate holds a national collection of British art, ranging from 1500 to the present day, as well as important pieces of international modern and contemporary art. Liverpool Tate is one of four major Tate galleries which together hold more than 70,000 artworks. Located in The Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Tate is a fascinating attraction and just minutes’ walk from ACC Liverpool."

"Photo credit: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Tate_Liverpool_-_geograph.org.uk_-_206623.jpg. The Tate is the cornerstone of Liverpool’s contemporary art scene. The venue was founded by Alan Bowness, who was Tate’s director in the ’80s."

"Walker Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery renowned for its comprehensive collections of sculptures, painting, decorative arts and other artworks. Part of the National Museums Liverpool group, this is certainly one of the best places for your whole family to visit and explore fabulous work of arts from different esteemed and notable artists of different eras. They have several rooms full of different medieval, renaissance, late renaissance, baroque, pre-raphaelites and Victorian arts."

"Big Art for Little Artists is a gallery for children within the Walker Art Gallery up to and including the age of eight. It has been designed to introduce children to art. It is open daily from 10am – 5pm and is just inside the main museum doors. It’s a great space to introduce the children to the art they can find in the museum and they even have fancy dress the kids can wear and then find the photos around the museum and take photos of themselves next to the art."

"The Walker Art Gallery boasts a rich collection of works by Italian, Flemish, and French Masters from the 14th century to the present. These include masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Rodin. Its display of English painting and sculpture, particularly of the 18th to 20th centuries, is unrivaled outside London and features works by Gainsborough, Hogarth, and Moore."

"\In 1924, upmarket department store Hendersons opened on Church Street where you’ll now find H&M. The Hendersons store was known as a real special occasion shop, renowned for intimidating Beauty Counter ladies who also sold chocolates!. The store went on to be so successful, it sold to Harrods in 1948, but Liverpool’s branch of Hendersons will always be linked to tragedy after the worst fire damage seen in the city since The Blitz, took hold of the building in June 1960, bringing the city centre to a standstill and resulting in 11 people losing their lives."

"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"

"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."

"If you’re looking for locally crafted ceramics, prints, jewellery or art work, Manchester Craft and Design Centre is the perfect place to discover something unusual. Located in a former Victorian fish market, the beautifully restored building is home to two floors of studios, where artists, potters and craftspeople create and sell their work in one space. There’s also a great café on the ground floor and you can often discover interesting art installations or musical performances there."

"Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 5JD - Visit now. Nestled away in the very heart of Manchester’s independent-central Northern Quarter, this is the place to head if you prefer to actually meet the person who made the beautiful scarf or earthenware jug you have your eye on."

"Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 5JD - Visit now. The thing we love best about Manchester Craft & Design Centre?. The fact that you can buy unique, unusual pieces direct from some incredibly talented designers."

"17/05/2021: We had a great lunch here today, felt very safe and looked after by the brilliant staff, can fully recommend. chickenspicypaycookedbreast"

"I know this list is based around what and where to eat in Liverpool, but I thought I’d mention this just because of how popular it is. Pretty much everywhere you go these days you can find somewhere selling craft beer, and Liverpool’s not really any different. We’ve got lots of places for a good drink, but the Cains Brewery seems to be the favorite of just about everyone in Liverpool at the minute."

"It's one of the most up-and-coming areas in the city and it's easy to see why when you wander around. There is a whole host of new bars, pubs and venues open across the village which was once derelict for many years. On a hot day, all the venues put out seating outside, including the Peaky Blinders bar and the Baltic Market."

"Another must-visit in the Cains Brewery Village, this alehouse is the very definition of a hidden gem. The Brewery Tap was bought by Mikhail Hotel, who wanted ‘in’ on the bright future of the happening brewery village. It’s the perfect place to head for a hoppy pale ale."

"Serving irresistible Italian cuisine in casual, friendly surroundings, Prezzo Preston uses only the finest seasonal ingredients to create award-winning pizzas, as well as other dishes prepared using produce sourced directly from Italy, all at prices…"

"Located down Winckley Street, Pizza Express invites you to fill up on their vegan pizzas; made with vegan cheese and an assortment of tasty toppings. The restaurant is also home to vegan starters, sides, desserts, and drinks."

"Veeno also serve brunch “Our authentic Italian menu boasts the finest cured meats and cheeses and some classics with a twist to ensure your gastronomic experience is one to be remembered. Whether you’re joining us for brunch ora sharing board with friends, we have plenty of options to tempt your taste buds.”  The brunch menu for two allows you to choose one salad from options like: Insalata Caprese (Beef tomato, mozzarella, olive oil and oregano) or Insalata di Pollo (Grilled chicken, mixed leaves, avocado, grilled peppers, cherry tomatoes and cucumber). Then choose two Brushette from options like: Nduja e Scamorza (A spicy spreadable sausage from Calabria, not for the faint-hearted, with smoked cheese) or Salmone Affumicato (Smoked salmon, mascarpone and dill, perfect pairing for a glass of Prosecco)."

"San Carlo is an award-winning, elegant Italian restaurant which has been here on Castle Street long before it became a popular dining district. With amazing seafood and authentic Italian dishes from pizzas, pastas to steak and lobster, San Carlo is a special experience. Of all the Castle Street restaurants and bars San Carlo is an institution!"

"Liverpool’s San Carlo is a bit different to the rest of their venues in that it’s not a theme restaurant but a highly lavish Italain venue for lovers of fine food. Their range of pasta and sauces will have you spoilt for choice and you’ll leave wanting to return back for more. View this post on Instagram"

"For more incredible Italian dishes then have a look at the menu at San Carlo. Their Summer menu is full of fresh pasta, meats, pizzas, steaks and fish dishes for you to try."