Best Arts and Culture Places in Summerseat

"Dynamic world class art gallery space, mostly free entry, features in Manchester from long-standing gallery icons like the Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth Art Gallery to lesser know art gems like The Lowry and Cornerhouse galleries. See contemporary Chinese art on display in the Chinese Arts Centre and catch more great contemporary art in hidden gem the Castlefield Gallery."

"If you’re visiting the main gallery, you won’t need to book a ticket—you can just walk in. There will be lots to see including a new display, What is Manchester Art Gallery?. , which introduces the gallery, its origins, how the collection was formed and how it relates to Manchester and its people."

"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."

"Manchester also has an important history when it comes to war and conflict over the past hundred years. The Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) is an interactive space built solely for the purpose of telling the most vital, powerful stories of war from across the region. The entire structure was built around an impressive, genuine fighter jet!"

"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."

"Out of all the sights in Manchester, John Rylands Library is my favourite. This is the one place I bring all new visitors to Manchester and I just can’t get enough of this beautiful building. It was built in memory of John Rylands by his widow (very Taj Mahal) and looks like it has been plucked straight out of a Harry Potter novel."

"The John Rylands Library in Manchester is a breath-taking library. It opened in 1900 as a tribute to Enriqueta Ryland’s husband John Ryland. You can find statues of the both of them in the main hall."

"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 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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Lurking as it does behind Deansgate Station, it’s easy to miss this quirky platform for emerging artists but it's worth seeking out. The primary emphasis at Castlefield Gallery is niche projects that have international relevance, exploring topics such as the role of art in society through collaborations with local organisations like Madlab. A registered charity, it also has a members’ scheme."

"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."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Green Giant used under CC BY 4.0. Cartwright Hall is Bradford’s municipal art gallery, that offers an energising array of contemporary exhibits. The collections showcase 19th and 20th-century British craftsmanship, with global contemporary prints and South Asian works."

"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."

"This one is a bit of a trek from the Manchester city center (we went here as part of a private black cab taxi tour of the city), but it is a must-visit spot for music fans. Devotees of The Smiths come from all over the world to recreate their famous photo take in front of the Salford Lads Club for the inside sleeve of their 1986 album, The Queen is Dead. Go have your own Morrissey moment!"

"For a quieter, more contemplative experience, this long-established cafe in the basement of the Buddhist Centre has long been a haven for veggies but has now gone mostly vegan (they can’t call themselves vegan because they still offer milk with hot drinks). Hearty meals made from scratch from what the market has had on offer that day, a range of stews, curries, rice, salads and desserts make this an almost religious taste experience."

"Earth Cafe has an ever-changing menu of vegan dishes, from tofu curries and pot pies to fresh fruit juices and plant-based sweet treats. And how do we know it’s all fresh?. Well, their menu depends solely on the ingredients they buy in the morning and, of course, the weather."

"Manchester Vegan Cafe – Home made Vegan Food Bad Mother Sugar – Home to some of Americas favourite sweets and drinks such as Arizona, Jolly Rancher and a huge range of different flavoured Fanta’s."

"This craft coffee and tea house has a minimalist interior and Skipton's best coffee. The provenance of its rotating beans is chalked up on a board, along with tasting notes for its menu of white and black teas.... Health Food in Skipton"

"This craft coffee and tea house has a minimalist interior and Skipton's best coffee. The provenance of its rotating beans is chalked up on a board, along with tasting notes for its menu of white and black teas...."