Best Museums in Furness Vale

"Manchester is home to two world class Art Galleries - The Manchester Art Gallery in town and the Whitworth Art Gallery on Oxford Road, by the university. There's also the recently redeveloped and reopened Gallery of Costume in Platt Fields Park - which you'll pass most days on your commute from Fallowfield to the Uni. All of the galleries house impressive permanent collections (which are free) and regular special exhibitons (which aren't)."

"This free to visit museum is one to add to your Manchester itinerary if you have kids that love art and art history. There’s plenty to learn about the city’s artists and culture. Families with younger children should make a beeline for the Clore Art Studio, which is an interactive space developed by artists."

"Everyone knows about Manchester’s history and continuing relationship with the world’s most popular sport, football. Manchester United and City are two of the most successful clubs on Earth, whilst also being two of the biggest brands. The former in particular has a rich history dating back to earlier in the 20th century, resulting in their current standing as one of the biggest – if not the biggest – sporting brands."

"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…"

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mick Knapton used under CC BY-SA 4.0. The Kelham Island Museum stands tall on a 900-year old man-made island on the river and focuses on the industrious history of Sheffield, specifically its steelmaking heritage. The museum features exhibits and interactive galleries about the men and women who kept the factory wheels turning."

"One of the most visited free attractions in the UK, the Millennium Gallery is an art gallery and museum in the heart of Sheffield. The museum displays both permanent and changing exhibitions throughout the year, including touring exhibitions from places such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The museum’s permanent collection includes the Ruskin collection, created by John Ruskin to inspire the working people of Sheffield, as well as the Metalwork collection displaying a wide array of Sheffield’s steel products."

"See Sheffield’s unique heritage in this premier destination for art, craft and design. The Sheffield Millennium Gallery is one of the city’s most prominent art galleries, located right in the centre at Arundel Gate. It features contemporary art and design exhibitions, including touring exhibitions from the V&A, the Tate and the National Portrait Gallery."

"The Whitworth is one of our favourite art galleries in the UK, a 50,000+ strong collection of works housed in one of the …"

"Travel back in time to the industrial revolution at the Quarry Bank Mill. Oozing with heritage, you can experience the ‘sounds and smells’ of steam and water-powered engines, explore the cotton mill to learn about spinning, weaving, the production of material, and the history of the textile industry, tour the Apprentice House for a glimpse into the lives of pauper children, stroll the beautiful gardens, or walk the Styal Estate, filled with woodlands and streams. Interactive, engaging, and educational, the museum exhibits and friendly and knowledgeable staff make Quarry Bank Mill a great day out for all ages."

"Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 4WU - Visit now. A family friendly city museum that stakes a claim as the UK’s first free public library. Explore the historic Lark Hill Place street installation then let loose in Peel Park."

"Popular permanent attractions of The Victorian Gallery and Lark Hill Place (re-creation of a typical northern street during Victorian times), as well as an ever-changing exhibition programme. The Museum also provides activities for children during the…"

"In the Porter Brook Valley, you’ll find the grinding hulls of an age-old industry. Sheffield is of course well-known for its knife grinding industry. Experience just how the jobs were done hundreds of years ago."

"Shepherd Wheel, Whiteley Woods, Off Hangingwater Road, S11 2YE. Open Saturday-Sunday and bank holiday Monday 10am-4pm (summer) / 11am-3pm (winter). Check updated opening hours in June 2021"

"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."

"Finding its way just inside the Top 10 is the wonderfully named West Bars Tandoori in Gibraltar Street. Rated four stars out of five, its main features include delivery, takeout, reservations, seating, serves alcohol, full bar and table service. One of its latest reviews reads: "Whenever we are in Chesterfield we always go to this restaurant. The food is excellent and the staff are very friendly, attentive and efficient. Looking forward to our next visit."

"The People's History Museum is the national center for the collection, conservation, interpretation, and study of material relating to the history of working people in Britain. Located in a former pumping station, the museum showcases the history of British democracy and its impact on the population, as well as extensive collections of artifacts relating to trade unions and women's suffrage. Two other museums close by are the Manchester Jewish Museum, with its collection dealing with the city's Jewish community, and the Museum of Transport, with its many old buses and other vehicles belonging to the city transport services."

"The People's History Museum, which sits right on the River Irwell on the border of Salford and Manchester, will fully reopen on May 19. This will be an exciting one to watch as it launches its brand new cafe offering in partnership with zero-waste enterprise Open Kitchen. Reopening next week will be the main galleries, the banner exhibition, the changing exhibitions gallery, the shop, and the archive and study centre."

"If you want to find out more about the history of working people, the trade union movement, women’s suffrage, the cooperative movement and more, then you’ll love the People’s History Museum. Main Gallery 2, Peoples History Museum. Fresh from its £12.5 million redevelopment, this museum houses more than 400 trade union and political banners, 7,000 trade union badges and 2,000 political and election posters."

"The Clayton Hall Living History Museum dates back to the 15th century and you will therefore not see the global moated medieval buildings. The Museum is in the Grade II category. Volunteers have restored it back to its original look and it is now open to the public twice a month."

"Dress up as a Victorian, visit several rooms, have lunch in the café, or take part in a guided tour. A really fun way to learn about Victorian and Mancunian history. Highly recommended for children, book, music and history lovers."

"I swear that the good people of Manchester were waiting for me to leave… I’d been visiting for the inaugural Cup North back in 2014 and no sooner had I left, than it seemed a slew of new coffee shops opened, led by Federal Café & Bar, which, by the way, does what it says on the tin. By day, it’s a café, while by night, it morphs into a bar, although, as I discovered, the staff will happily serve you coffee long into the night (and, I suspect, alcohol during the day). The coffee side of the equation is handled by Kiwi transplants, Ozone, supplying the Hodson blend and decaf on espresso, with a couple of single-origins on pour-over, impressive when you consider the (lack of) available space."

"Having conquered Northern Quarter with their Aussie-style brunch bowls, Federal has opened another charming spot in Deansgate. Expect the same easy breezy vibes, alongside healthy plates that include a winning banana bread."

"City-centre favourite Federal offers an all-day brunch until 6pm, as well as a range of sandwiches, bagels and amazing coffee. We recommend The Turkish Eggs. View this post on Instagram"

"Bill’s in Spinningfields is celebrating Shrove Tuesday with a brand new pancake menu, available to order from 21 February to 1 March. The inclusive menu is perfect for both vegan and non-vegan pancake fans – with both sweet and savoury options to chow down on. This year’s menu options include sweetcorn pancakes with eggs, feta and avo, roast tomato and black olive vegan pancakes, classic lemon and sugar, banana and salted caramel, white chocolate with frozen berries and ice cream with chocolate sauce."

"Why: Traditional breakfast dishes grace the menu at Bill’s, with a full English and stacks of pancakes featuring. For something a little healthier there’s a whole section on eggs (yes, including of course eggs with avocado toast) and a garden plate which includes eggs, roasted tomatoes, charred peppers, smashed avocado, mushrooms and more. Where: 8-12 John Dalton Street, M2 6JP"

"Let's face it, nothing gets you through a difficult day in the office quite like a really great lunch. So forget about soggy sandwiches, sad salads and sweaty scotch eggs. The best lunch spots in Manchester are on hand to transform your day for the better."