Best Museums in Rochdale

"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."

"There is so much amazing street art in the city and some of the works are really Instagrammable. Some of my favourite paintings were the one of Arya Stark and, of course, Eleven from the Stranger Things. Some other street art in Manchester that I loved included these works in the photos below."

"If you are a culture seeker, the Manchester Art Gallery is the perfect place for you to be. Over 25,000 works of art from all over the world adorn the walls of this popular gallery of art. But the interesting part is that isn’t just a display of art."

"In 2001, the National Football Museum was transferred from Preston to Manchester. The museum has over 140,000 football artefacts such as boots, programmes, paintings and balls. To visit the primary exhibition, you will not pay anything."

"Over the past 125+ years, the Whitworth has seen many transformations but none so much as its recent £15 million development, resulting in accolades such as RIBA National Award and Art Fund’s Museum of the Year 2015. Now home to an internationally important collection numbering 60,000 works - blending high-profile names like Blake, Spencer, Rembrandt and Moore with fresh new talent - the gallery’s principal aim remains the same: ‘the perpetual gratification of the people of Manchester’."

"With an eclectic collection that includes historic fine art and contemporary art works, a fine collection of textiles from across the world, sculpture, prints, wallpaper and more, there’s lots to enjoy at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Cornelia Parkers Exhibition, Whitworth Art Gallery. A highlight of the fine art collection is work by famous pre-Raphaelite artists including Holman Hunt, Rossetti, Millais and others."

"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."

"This attraction features well-maintained locomotives that date back more than 100 years. A preserved railway, it is now also the home of the collection from the Southport Railway Museum and was opened to public access in 2005. It also operates passenger services from Preston Riverside to and from Strand Road Crossing."

"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."

"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."

"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 important chapter in our shared history, the Pankhurst Centre is the only museum in the country to highlight the struggle for the women’s vote. Housed in the ancestral home of the Pankhurst Family, the museum has a number of exhibits showcasing the fight for the right to vote and holds a number of fascinating workshops throughout the year."

"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."

"Just a few minutes from the Shipley Glen tramway lies a stunning country pub on Baildon Moor. The classic Yorkshire bricks, wood-burning stoves and huge beer garden with amazing views make The Old Glen House well worth a trip out of the city – especially if you have the pooch with you as it’s super dog-friendly. You can look forward to delicious pub grub and a mean Sunday roast, which you can pair with ales, wine and spirits."

" This handsome, solid stone building has appeared in a number of guises down the years, including a temperance inn and a tearoom for local mill worke ..." Read our full review"

"Federal Cafe, Basil Chambers, 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1EY - Visit now. By now you’ll have realised that Manchester is awash with breakfast choices – and joining them on this swelling listis this little café on the edge of the Northern Quarter. While it might be smaller than the rest, we love the food here, and the coffee even more."

"Serving up quality Antipodean-style coffee from two locations in the heart of Manchester city centre, the ever-popular and much-loved Federal Cafe & Bar is still open for walk-ins to grab yourself a wide range of takeaway beverages this weekend. 9 Nicholas Croft, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1EY&94 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3ND. You can find more information via the Federal Cafe & Bar website here."

"A popular spot among Mancs for both coffee and brunch, Federal Cafe & Bar has an array of coffees on offer for both drink-in or takeaway. But in addition to their high-quality coffees, the much-loved cafe also serves Australian fave Hot Milo, as well as hot drinks such as beetroot latte, turmeric latte and matcha green tea. Basically, it’s a haven for hot drinks."

"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."

"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."

"Five-star hotel The Lowry underwent a swanky new makeover in late 2019, including a new look for the two-AA-rosette restaurant and bar. Their luxurious dining & drinking terrace is the perfect place to relax out of reach of the bustle of the city centre. With a sunny view of the River Irwell and hospitality to beat, this is a luxury to be experienced in Manchester."

"Situated in The Lowry Hotel on the Manchester/ Salford border, this fine dining breakfast menu is unbeatable. The restaurant itself is glass-walled and overlooks the Santiago Calatrava’s Trinity Bridge. The decor includes purple leather chairs, semi-circular banquettes, Fornasetti plates and mirrors."

"The Brasserie at The Ivy in Manchester do a Saturday and Sunday Brunch (and bank holidays). The restaurant itself is a beautiful art deco inspired space. With options like Truffle Arancini, Zucchini fritti, Eggs Benedict and Avocado Benedict, as well as Hot Buttermilk Pancakes for those (like me) with a sweet tooth!"

"The Ivy's roof garden is one of the most glamorous places in the city, perfect for celeb-watching. Opulent fabrics, masses of plants and a retractable roof (plus essential heaters) make it an luxurious hangout in all weathers. You can order from a huge menu of food, including afternoon teas and brunches."

"One of the largest restaurants to open in the UK in 2018 with 535 covers, The Ivy Spinningfields is set over four floors with a ground floor brasserie, ..." Read our full review"

"Enjoy exquisite food and service at The Coach & Horses, based in the heart of the Ribble Valley. Pub classics include Lancashire cheese & onion pie, while main courses showcase the best in local meat and fish. Alternatively, feast on their classic Sunday lunch with the whole family."