Free Museums in North Downs

"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."

"Grayson’s Art Club – An exhibition of works selected by artist Grayson Perry during Grayson’s Art Club, the popular Channel 4 TV series. All the works on display are very personal visual representations of lockdown, made by the public, well-known artists and celebrities for Grayson’s Art Club.Between Friday 2 July and Sunday 29 August. Other exhibitions are also on too."

"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 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."

"The National Football Museum offers visitors the chance to explore the history and culture of the sport. The National Football Museum offers visitors the chance to delve into the history and culture of the beautiful game, with exhibitions including Geoff Hurst’s red England shirt and ball from the 1966 World Cup Final and Diego Maradona’s Hand of God jersey."

"For fans of football, or sport in general, this museum is a must see. There are a range of important collections of football memorabilia as well events and exhibitions that teach you about the incredible history of football in England. Visit their website before your trip to see what’s on and book tickets."

"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."

"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."

"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 municipal museum was founded in 1848 and moved into its purpose-built Neoclassical home in 1857. This is one of the UK’s oldest town museums and the building has kept its original character. As with the best municipal museums, the collection is a big jumble of local industrial artefacts, Egyptology, Roman archaeology, coins, ethnographic displays, items from the Civil War and zoological and botanical specimens."

"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"

"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."

"Home to a collection of impressive oil paintings, ceramics, local history and a fine selection of the famous Leek Embroideries. Walk in the footsteps of William Morris, D.H. Lawrence, Oscar Wilde and John Betjeman."

"Serving the most delicious and well-portioned breakfast meals, their pancakes are a real highlight for guests. Stacked high with all the toppings, menu items include berries and cream, banoffee, peanut butter and bacon with maple syrup. Each stack includes three buttermilk pancakes, and there’s even vegan options available too!"

"Based in Prestwich, The Cheesefake Company makes vegan cheesecakes for collection from their HQ daily and from the city centre on Wednesdays. Toppings include Biscoff, Chocolate Orange, Oreo, Banoffee, Black Forest, Lemon Meringue and Jammy Dodger. Visit their website for details on how to order: cheesefake.co.uk/shop."

"Housed in the old Grade II-listed courthouse building on Deansgate, Hawksmoor has a refined aesthetic that perfectly complements its best of British menu offering. Widely regarded as the best steakhouse in the city, everything is a labour of love here – from the beef to the wine, to the cocktails and puddings. If you struggle to get a table, there’s sometimes room in the bar."

"The first branch of this modern British steakhouse to open outside the capital, Hawksmoor offers simply superb steaks from dry-aged British rump and rib-eye to porterhouse and chateaubriand alongside classy cocktails and a winning wine list. Leave room for the heavenly sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream."