Free Museums in Armitage Bridge

"Housed in a beautiful building with wrought-iron staircases, this splendid collection includes pieces by luminaries such as Valentin Serov, Ilya Repin and Vasily Tropinin, as well as a good sampling of socialist realism, 14th-to-18th-century icons and European old masters. You’ll also find portraits of Princess Maria Tenisheva, who created the Flyonovo estate outside town. There are some English captions throughout."

"Come to Manchester Art Gallery, conveniently nestled in the centre of the city, if you want to take a walk through Manchester’s art history. Here you will find works that go back to the pre-Raphaelite period as well as works by famous local artists like Lowry (see more below). It’s most certainly one of the best things to do in Manchester if you love a big slice of culture."

"The world-leading National Football Museum will open up again on Thursday May 27, with new exhibitions to explore. Visitors will be able to see the English Football Hall of Fame, showcasing some of those who’ve made an outstanding contribution to football, both on and off the pitch. There's also a new photographic exhibition opening on June 11, 2021, coinciding with the rescheduled Euros, looking at the popular culture surrounding the Euro 96 tournament."

"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…"

"Leeds Art Gallery showcases modern and contemporary art with its permanent collection and temporary exhibits. It hosts a range of events, such as art spaces for children, lunchtime talks and special exhibitions. It is also home to the Tiled Hall Cafe, a Victorian Hall with magnificent architecture, full of columns and a beautiful ceiling design."

"Leeds Art Gallery is free to visit and this summer has two current temporary exhibitions from artists Zadie Xa and Georgina Starr. Families can download learning and activity packs from home including Mindful Creatives fact sheets and colouring-in."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Sunny Bank Mills was once a key part of the city’s industrial past, but since being restored by the Gaunt family, it’s been turned into a multi-purpose creative space with a 3,000-square-foot art gallery at its heart. It’s one of the best galleries in Leeds to find exhibitions by local artists, as it gives them a platform to show their work, from Mel Davies’ colourful landscapes to Kate Kenney’s oil paintings of Yorkshire. It’s also home to Spinning Mill Studios, where local artists and makers create and display their work."

"The Tetley is a contemporary art gallery in what was the headquarters of the former Tetley Brewery. The art deco building is in central Leeds features a gallery space, function, rooms, a public bar, and carefully preserved rooms from the old Tetley offices. We hope you enjoyed seeing some of our most treasured buildings from our home city."

"Founded in 1822, Tetley was once the biggest brewery in the North, and for a while, it was the largest producer of cask ale in the world. Its reign ended when the brewery was taken over by the Carlsberg Group, and the brewery closed in 2011, before being demolished a year later. Thankfully, out of its ashes, a new venue was born."

"The Tetley, Hunslet Road, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ - Visit now. Housed in the 1931 art deco headquarters of the Joshua Tetley & Son brewery, The Tetley opened in 2013 and has sat at the very epicentre of the Leeds art scene ever since."

"Located about 10 miles from Sheffield, the Elsecar Heritage Railway is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and expansion of one of the area's oldest railway lines. Highlights include an impressive collection of historic locomotives and rolling stock that once belonged to the South Yorkshire Railway. Budding engineers can even learn to drive a steam train through one of the railway's "footplate" courses (they also offer a number of fun themed excursions)."

"Chino Latino is known to be one of the best Japanese restaurants in Leeds. They were awarded the Pan-Asian Leeds City Square Restaurant of the year. It’s near the Leeds station and is clean."

"As one of the quirkiest restaurants in Manchester, guests can take on all their friends at a few rounds of bowling before tucking into all their favourite comfort food treats. The menu features stacked pancakes covered in cream and berries, full English breakfasts, hearty burgers and a range of smoked dishes, fresh from the venue's barbecue. This has to be up there as one of the coolest restaurants in Manchester."

"Here at Dog Bowl, kids under 12 can play bowling for free when they dine in the venue. What’s best, this offer is also valid even in half term!. They have special features for little ones including bumpers, ramps, lightweight bowling balls and others."

"With half price offers for students, this is a date night spot that you’ve just got to try. Loser buys the next round of drinks?. View this post on Instagram"

"Home to a hefty selection of draught brews, IPAs, ales and ciders, the Central Square spot is also delivering on the looks front with cosy nooks, fun lighting and an expansive outdoor space."