Free Museums in Ashton-under-Lyne

"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."

"Situated in the heart of Manchester city centre, Manchester Art Gallery mixes history with contemporary fine art to bring us the best exhibitions and collections. The gallery is also famous for its 19th century British paintings and Pre-Raphaelite works. This gallery is great for any art and design students as the variety of work on exhibition is of such a wide variety to suit any artistic style."

"Football (known in America as soccer) is the national pastime in England, but especially in Manchester, home of Manchester United. The city's National Football Museum is a great way to learn more about the history and culture of the beloved sport, including special exhibits on topics like the fashion of football shirts and women's soccer. It has a huge archive of items, with pieces that date back to the early 20th century, and it's engaging for kids as well as adults."

"Anyone with an interest in football should make a beeline to the National Football Museum, situated inside the dramatic glass building previously known as Urbis. Find out more about your favourite sport, including an extensive look at the last time England won the World Cup, and take the chance to refine your own football skills."

"Designed by some of the most renowned architects in the UK, the Millennium Gallery is a piece of art in itself. But the reason people visit is for the eclectic collections it’s home to, including the Ruskin Collection: watercolours, drawings, prints, coins, manuscripts, and illustrated books used to inspire Sheffield’s Victorian workforce. The Craft and Design centre exhibits a modern take on Victorian themes."

"The Millennium Gallery is one of Sheffield’s most prominent art galleries. It is located in the city centre making it easy to access, and entrance is free to visitors. The gallery has a number of permanent collections as well as spaces for temporary exhibits so there is always new culture to experience."

"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."

"After an extensive renovation project, the Whitworth is the best place in the city to view a collection of exciting contemporary art. Keep your eyes peeled on their exciting events calendar, pay a visit to their fabulous restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding park and pick up a picnic basket of art supplies to spark your own creativity."

"The Whitworth will partially reopen from Wednesday 19 May 2021. The gallery is expected to reopen fully from Thursday 1 July 2021."

"The Hepworth is one of the leading contemporary art museums in Europe. It's the largest purpose-built gallery in the UK outside of London and attracts art lovers from all over. It's set on the waterfront of the River Calder and offers a tranquil atmosphere despite being so close to the City Centre."

"One of the most impressive exhibition spaces outside of London, The Hepworth’s architecture is just as spectacular as the collections housed inside. View rare pieces by famed local sculptor Barbara Hepworth, alongside a series of visiting exhibitions."

"It may not look like much from the outside, but inside two Victorian villas on Nelson Street you’ll find The Pankhurst Centre – a heritage site of women’s activism. Once the home of local Manchester political campaigner and icon Emmeline Pankhurst, who lived at 62 Nelson Street from 1898 to 1907, it’s here that the very first meeting of the suffragette movement took place. Cut to the present day and visitors can now drop by to explore the story of women securing the right to vote."

"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."

"CFCCA is the UK leader in Chinese visual culture, with a reputation for debut solo exhibitions and a roster of internationally-renowned artists; impressive considering that, three decades ago, it was just a series of events in Manchester’s Chinatown. As Manchester’s Chinese population is second only to London’s, the centre’s heritage is particularly important; now represented in a new archive and library. Best feature: A vibrant events schedule, spanning film screenings to workshops and even Mandarin lessons"

"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."

"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."

"02/05/2021: We have ordered numerous meals, to collect, during lockdown., from Iris. This week I had the salmon and my husband had the duck-both were absolutely delicious. The cooking instructions are easy to follow and timings are spot on."

"Iris is a contemporary British restaurant located in the heart of Wakefield city Centre, close to the Cathedral and the Bull Ring fountains."

"One of Manchester’s most beautiful spots for Japanese food, subterranean venue Australasia is much-loved for its incredible Australian dishes, infused with Japanese and Indonesian influences. Think oysters, Sashimi and Tempura dishes – with Teriyaki beef rump dishes, octopus and many more fresh fish offerings. The menu is absolutely huge, with a wide variety of Nigiri, Tempura, Sashimi and California Rolls to choose from if sushi’s what you’re after."

"A post shared by Mary G (@mairahgorman) on Jul 5, 2019 at 10:49am PDT. Australasia is a chic modern restaurant that offers guests a fusion of traditional Australian and Asian cuisines. After descending the restaurant’s distinctive glass pyramid, guests are transported into an elegant dining space meant to resemble the beaches of the Pacific Rim."

": With low lighting, deep booths, and its very own champagne snug, this is one of the most elegant restaurants in Dakota. Tuck into a refined menu of chateaubriand, steak frites and black pudding, kale and venison with blackberry, and short rib of beef. Did we mention that they even have suites upstairs?"

"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 ..."

"Thaikhun are counting down the days until they can fire up their grills and greet you in Spinningfields again!. Inspired by Southeast Asia, enjoy Thaikhun’s authentic street food in their vibrant outdoor seating area. Bookings are strongly advised, however a few tables will be held back for walk-up guests on a first come first served basis."

"One of the most unique looking Thai restaurants in Manchester, Thaikhun is something of a sight to behold. Loud and proud with heritage and cultural nods, the interiors of the restaurant not only hark to street food markets in the country, the plates are full of classics and favourite dishes."

"Thaikhun has to be on the list of the best Asian restaurants in Manchester. Its great food and atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. The restaurant also hosts cooking classes where you can learn how to cook the best Thai food using fresh ingredients."

"You would be forgiven for forgetting you were in Central Manchester at all with this beautiful building. Grand Pacific is set in a historic space, and is themed around the tropics with high vaulted ceilings contrasted against golden, leaf chandeliers. Food is equally as unique, with everything from a Korean hot plate through to an Asian-inspired high tea."

"A glamorous restaurant in a beautiful historic building, Grand Pacific is located in the former Manchester Reform Club on King Street. Exotically furnished to bring back an aura of Raffles with food and drink to match, it’s a fabulous place to watch the world go by from up on high."

"Decadent interiors are matched with an exotic menu drawing from all corners of the globe at Grand Pacific. From pea and wasabi houmous to soy and treacle cured salmon, this isn't your average Japanese meal; it's a modern take on East Asian flavours."

"With more than a decade of faithful service to West Didsbury under its natty Nepalese belt, the Gurkha Grill is now reaping the benefits of an extensiv ..."

"The name Mughli Charcoal Pit alone should get your mouth watering in anticipation of the restaurant's chargrilled meats and Indian street food. The family-owned spot, opened in 1991, is all about sharing, with an extensive menu that encourages trying a bit of everything. There's everything from curry to grilled meat to street chaat, and you'll want to come hungry."

"Mughli is the contemporary, social media embracing, second generation Curry Mile restaurant that paved the way for the likes of Indian Tiffin Room, Amma’s Canteen and Dishoom."