Free Museums in Alderley Edge

"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."

"Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 3JL - Visit now. Manchester Art Gallery houses 25,000 artefacts across six centuries and contemporary exhibitions by world-leading artists in a beautifully-restored neo-Classic gallery, slap band in the city centre. The architect also designed Highclere Castle (or Downton Abbey)."

"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."

"Six storeys dedicated to the beautiful game, taking in footballing greats, the history of the game, the chance to lift some trophies, games and football challenges, an exhibition about the 1966 World Cup and a learning zone. Guided tours are available…"

"Manchester's second most important art gallery is arguably its most beautiful, following a restoration that saw the doubling of its exhibition space through the opening of its sides and back, and the construction of glass-screened promenades. Inside is a fine collection of British watercolours, the best selection of historic textiles outside London and galleries devoted to the work of artists from Dürer and Rembrandt to Lucian Freud and David Hockney."

"Reopened in 2015 after a £15m transformation, Manchester’s gallery in the park is home to an internationally important collection of art, including significant work by William Blake and J.M.W. Turner. It also hosts an exciting roster of visiting exhibitions and events. Visit the website for the latest information."

"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."

"Popular permanent attractions of The Victorian Gallery and Lark Hill Place (re-creation of a typical northern street during Victorian times), as well as an ever-changing exhibition programme. The Museum also provides activities for children during the…"

"1857 museum with 200,000 artifacts displayed in original Victorian glass cabinets, plus fine art. Address : Bold St, Warrington WA1 1DR, United Kingdom"

"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"

"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."

"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."

"While idling in the Pavilion Gardens you could call in at this gallery in the main building next to the tourist information desk. The Gallery in the Gardens is a platform for painting and arts and crafts by more than 40 local artists and craftspeople. Their works are for sale and include textiles, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, embroidery, glass, linocuts, etchings, woodcarvings and prints."

"Since you’ll find yourself within The Pavilion Gardens, you might want to pay The Gallery in the Gardens a visit. It’s an art gallery featuring paintings, ceramics, and other crafts by local artists. Support the local artists’ high-quality masterpieces by making a purchase or two if you can."

"Macclesfield is in the orbit of the Jodrell Bank Observatory, founded in 1945 and part of the University of Manchester. The primary telescope at Jodrell Bank is the colossal Lovell Telescope, built in 1957 and still the third largest steerable dish radio telescope in the world, at 76.2 metres in diameter. Amateur astronomers come a long way to savour this immense structure, which along with the rest of the station has been mooted for World Heritage Status."

"An unassuming little house on Nelson Street, this spot was the birthplace of the Suffragette movement. The home of inspirational leader Emmeline Pankhurst, the first Women’s Social and Political Union meeting was held here in 1903. Nowadays, the place has been converted into a museum detailing the battle for women’s equality in Britain and celebrating its great former occupant."

"Birthplace of the suffragette movement in 1903, the Pankhurst Centre is an excellent place to learn about the fight for women’s right to vote. There are people who guide you through the house to help you learn about the history. The museum is open to the public from 10-4pm on Thursdays, and on the second and fourth Sunday of the month."

"Described as a ‘delightful high Victorian garden’, Biddulph Grange Garden is home to an incredible collection of plants from around the world. Shrouded in beauty, colour, and tranquillity, Biddulph offers a truly unique day out as you wander the landscaped gardens, discover hidden tunnels and pathways, stroll the woodland walk, and visit the undisturbed lake. I Opening Times: 11am-5.30pm, closing times may be earlier in the winter months."

"One of the UK’s first and largest regeneration projects has been unfolding at the former site of the Manchester Docks since the late-1980s. These docks were opened by Queen Victoria in 1894 and constituted Britain’s third busiest port at their peak, before going into decline after the advent of container shipping. Plans to redevelop the docks into a business, cultural and residential district began in the early 80s, and the docks were soon rebranded as Salford Quays."

"This area is Greater Manchester’s waterfront and is where you will find the Imperial War Museum North, the BBC at Media City and the Lowry. The area was once one of the busiest docklands in the UK and is now a great place to admire the futuristic architecture, go for a meal in one of the restaurants and to explore!"

"Walk through a timeline of history from the First World War to the present day. Again, although tickets are free, they must be booked in advance. Find out more and book here."

"Reopening from 2 July, daily, 10.00–16.00 (until 22.00 on Thursdays). Manchester Jewish Museum is thrilled to be reopening its doors following a major capital development redesign and extension. Two years in the making, the brand new museum now features a gallery, café, shop and learning studio and kitchen, as well as the stunning restoration of its 1874 Spanish and Portuguese synagogue."

"Daily tours guide you through the lives of Jewish Mancunians in 1912. Guest exhibitions focus not only on the Jewish community but also the wealth of ethnic diversity in industrial Manchester. The only Jewish Museum outside of London, it allows you to explore the life, culture and contributions of the Jewish community to the city."

"Five-star hotel The Lowry underwent a swanky new makeover in late 2019, including a new look for the two-AA-rosette restaurant and bar. Their luxurious dining & drinking terrace is the perfect place to relax out of reach of the bustle of the city centre. With a sunny view of the River Irwell and hospitality to beat, this is a luxury to be experienced in Manchester."

"Situated in The Lowry Hotel on the Manchester/ Salford border, this fine dining breakfast menu is unbeatable. The restaurant itself is glass-walled and overlooks the Santiago Calatrava’s Trinity Bridge. The decor includes purple leather chairs, semi-circular banquettes, Fornasetti plates and mirrors."

"If gorgeous food, a fine dining experience and an environment steeped in history are your thing, then make The French your next restaurant of choice. Based within Manchester’s grand Midland Hotel, The French became one of the first UK restaurants to be awarded the honour of a Michelin-star. Since reopening in 2013, and again undergoing refurbishment in 2016, the restaurant has made rapid progress towards once again becoming one of the finest eating destinations in the country."

"Set in the iconic Midland Hotel, the cosy booths, stylish décor and relaxed atmosphere of The French by Simon Rogan makes for an opulent date night. Worthy of any special occasion, quality food is at the heart of this operation with meticulously crafted tasting menus. The French’s absent Michelin star is well documented, but the infamous missing star isn’t all bad - diners can experience Michelin standard food without the waiting lists and price tag."

"A specialist Chinese restaurant in Manchester’s West Didsbury, Green Tea is unique in its offering of food specifically inspired by the Benxi region of C ..."