Free Museums in Triangle

"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."

"Located right in the heart of the city centre, the beautiful Manchester Art Gallery will open most areas of the gallery on May 19. Visitors will be able to explore an exhibition of works selected by artist Grayson Perry during Grayson’s Art Club, the popular Channel 4 TV series, as well as see its collection of 25,000 objects from across the centuries. You can walk in to most of the gallery, but will need to pre-book for Grayson's Art Club at manchesterartgallery.org"

"For an interesting and fun day out for the whole family, head to the Manchester Art Gallery. There is so much to see and do, especially for families, including workshops, story bags and also baby changing facilities. Perfect for an hour’s visit or a full day, you’ll see the stunning collection of fine and decorative art."

"Address: Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester M4 3BG. I’m probably as good at football as a pregnant sloth, but Manchester is obviously famous for its two football teams; Manchester United and Manchester City. Guided tours of their stadiums come with a charge, but you can visit the National Football Museum in Manchester city centre for free."

"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."

"Home to some of the UK’s best football teams, Manchester is also home to a museum dedicated to the nations favourite sport. Now that Maya has her heart firmly set on football, I am sure we will be visiting all the time. Located in the coolest museum building (Urbis) the museum is in the very heart of Manchester city centre."

"Free to visit and in the city centre, Leeds’ premier Art Gallery is the perfect location for a relaxing afternoon trip or an escape from the rain. A collection of 19th century works and 20th century British Art, the government declared the site ‘of national importance’ in 1997, and it’s easy to see why. On top of its permanent displays, a regular cycle of temporary exhibitions brings world-class displays of surrealism, woodwork, and anything imaginable to the city."

"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 boasts a stunning glass roof, one of the most impressive collections of 20th Century British art and a colourful new wall painting commission for the Victorian staircase by Lothar Götz – the perfect selfie backdrop. The Headrow, LS1 3AA"

"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."

"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"

"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."

"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)."

"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."

"Trinity Kitchen is in the Trinity Leeds shopping and leisure complex. It has a rotation of new street food vans every eight weeks, as well as permanent eateries such as Pho and the Chicago Rib Shack. Trinity Kitchen’s latest street food line-up includes Punjabi inspired Jah Jyot, the Mediterranean favourite Eat Like A Greek and Angus McVenison, for those that crave a taste of Scotland."

"With a concept that is completely unique, Trinity Kitchen rotates six new street food vans every eight weeks and offers visito... Trinity Centre, Albion Street, LeedsTelephone. 0113 394 2415 Email."

"The Ivy is an eclectic restaurant where you can indulge in one of the biggest brunch menus in Leeds. They’ve truly embraced the border between breakfast and lunch, with dishes that fall on either side of the border – and you can stretch out the experience with multiple courses. Keep it traditional with Hot Buttermilk Pancakes, topped with fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, lemon balm and warm strawberry sauce, or go for something a little bit different, like their Crab Linguine."

"What: There are few restaurant groups with prettier interiors than The Ivy Collection. At The Ivy Victoria Quarter, you can cosy up in the jewel box dining room while tucking into breakfast time favourites, such as scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or buttermilk pancakes topped with a medley of fruit. There are fresh juices and coolers too.Where: Vicar Lane, LS1 6BB"

"The Ivy is an eclectic all-day restaurant where you can indulge in a loaded stack of pancakes. Their hot buttermilk pancakes are topped with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, then smothered in Greek yoghurt, lemon balm and warm strawberry sauce for a delicious alternative to the norm. Get ‘em until 11am on weekdays or until 4pm on the weekend."

"Another special spot in Spinningfields suitable for both celebrations or just a boujee Tuesday – The Ivy’s roof terrace is stunningly decorated, with plus velvet furniture, fire pits for warmth and grand trees throughout setting a botanical theme for its brasserie offering. Most of the space is for diners, however, there’s a lovely bar within the terrace, too, where you can perch up for a drink or two. The Ivy, The Pavilion, Byrom St, M3 3HG."

"Savour the best cuisine of both France and Yorkshire at the elegant Le Bistro De Amis. Pop in for a coffee and sweet treat, relish a freshly prepared salad or sandwich or treat a loved one to a meal from their A La Carte offering. Menu specialities include chargrilled venison, pan roasted chicken breast and twice-cooked pork belly."