Best Museums in Abbey Village

"The greatest evidence of this lies in the historic Manchester Art Gallery. Boasting an eclectic mixture of classic and contemporary work to suit all eyes and tastes, every person from the curious to the connoisseur can find something to light their fire at the Manchester Art Gallery. The art collection here spans an impressive 6 centuries!"

"Located on Mosley Street, Manchester Art Gallery is a free entry gallery that has been at the centre of life in Manchester for nearly 200 years. The gallery strives for social change through its collections, displays and public programmes. Pay a visit to see exhibitions including Grayson’s Art Club and What is Manchester Art Gallery."

"Manchester Art Gallery always have brilliant temporary exhibitions. Thanks to these guys I discovered Raqib Shaw, who is now one of my favourite artists. Manchester Art Gallery also have great permanent exhibitions with an emphasis on the Pre-Raphaelites."

"If your kids love football then you can’t miss the National football museum. Throughout the museum, there are interactive objects, games and displays that will appeal to all ages. Their current activities and events programme is temporarily on hold but you’ll still find trails to take part in during your visit or you can download somr trails here before your visit."

"Whether you’re a die hard football fan or not, here's the place to discover the history of football in one of the worlds biggest footballing cities."

"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."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

"The Blackpool branch of the world-famous wax museum features over 80 wax figures of famous celebrities, film and television characters, athletes and musicians. Alongside the collection of British and international stars, guests can now take to the floor and meet the stars of Strictly, with Tess and Claudia and judge Craig Revel Horwood in the new Strictly Come Dancing experience, which includes a Strictly inspired dancefloor, replica glitterball trophy, and score paddles on the judges' desk. There is also a real treat for fans of Coronation Street, as Madame Tussauds Blackpool has created a replica of the iconic Rovers Return, with classic characters such as Ken and Deidre, Jack and Vera, Bet Lynch and Hilda Ogden."

"A visit to Madame Tussauds Blackpool is guaranteed to leave you feeling more than a little star struck This engaging and interactive attraction grants you an audience with some of Britain’s best known celebrities; from Olly Murs to Keith Lemon, Bear Grylls, Mo Farah to Jack and Vera from Coronation Street and even HRH Queen Elizabeth II as well as a multitude of other stars from the world of music, sport and entertainment. Key accessible facilities include step-free access, lifts for public use and a clearly signed route for wheelchair users. Madame Tussauds Detailed Access Guide"

"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."

"Located near Preston Dock, the Ribble Steam Railway museum invites you to hop aboard a heritage train ride on one of their working steam trains. The museum makes a fantastic and interactive day out for all the family, delving into Preston's historical links to steam trains and Preston Dock. See their Diesel Locomotives, Steam Locomotives, miniature railway, and much more."

"Kelvin Mercado, also known as Peg Man, breaks the record of how many pegs one person can put on their face with 163, at the launch of Ripley's Believe or Not 2014 annual. Ripley's is home to a unique collection of strange and extraordinary exhibits in eight galleries across two floors. It's the only place in Blackpool where you'll find authentic shrunken heads, a fertility statue that has helped with over 1,000 pregnancies, and a two headed calf and see the world's largest and smallest men."

"Situated inside Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, is the city’s very own Ripley’s Believe it or not!. That’s right, the franchise famous around the world for dealing in everything strange, unusual and downright bizarre has a museum right in the heart of Blackpool’s biggest tourist attraction. Spread across 2 floors and 8 thrilling galleries, the museum features oddities like a...Read more"

"Lurking amidst the retail shops on Birley Street lies the UK's only horror-themed tea room. The Crypt is a hangout for horror lovers and people who love the spooky season all year round. The walls are dripping with horror movie props, merchandise and memorabilia."

"The owners of Monolos were frustrated at the lack of eateries which truly catered to children and parents, so they created this unique “restaurant and playhouse “ which serves crowd-pleasing American food such as burgers, steaks and milkshakes, alongside a large soft play area. You can relax knowing that children of all ages will be entertained, whilst you enjoy your food and let them come and go as they please- they will return to the table to eat when they have tired themselves out!. This place has to be on our list of child friendly restaurants in Manchester."

"This authentically themed wild west diner has become a favourite in Blackpool. The all American restaurant is decked out like a Western Saloon with a cowhide bar, leather booth and ram skulls that look down from the walls. The setting wouldn't look out of place in a Hollywood gun-slinging shoot out or bar room brawl."

"Edward Smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Clowes Park, also known as Broughton Hall or Broughton Park, has a large maintained lake with numerous viewing points, as well as a small area of woodland. The park is also home to the Life for a Life memorial forest, which was opened in 2016."

"Lurking amidst the retail shops on Birley Street lies the UK's only horror-themed tea room. The Crypt is a hangout for horror lovers and people who love the spooky season all year round. The walls are dripping with horror movie props, merchandise and memorabilia."