Best Museums in Sowood

"This city centre gallery boasts some truly world-class work, most notably its outstanding collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings. As well as historic fine art and international contemporary work, the Mosley Street building is also home to a treasure trove of craft and design, from ceramics and silver to glass and furniture. It also has an extensive costume collection, spanning six centuries of fashion, housed in a separate Gallery of Costume in Platt Fields Park, Rusholme."

"A superb collection of British art and a hefty number of European masters are the highlights at the city's top art gallery. It's home to the best assemblage of Pre-Raphaelite art as well as a permanent collection of pre-17th-century art, mostly by Dutch and early Renaissance masters. It also hosts exciting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. The gallery runs a free hour-long highlights tour from 2pm to 3pm Thursday to Sunday."

"While not a museum per se, Manchester Art Gallery is home to exhibitions focusing on the development of the arts over time and eras of history. If you are a fashion lover, this should definitely be one of your sightseeing stops, as they usually host at least one exhibition connected to fashion."

"Planning a visit to the great city of Manchester, a visit to the National Football Museum is just ideal, especially if you’re who is a die-hard football fan. As the world’s biggest and best football museum, it packs everything about the history and culture of football. It covers all the depth of this beautiful game with attractive objects, exhibitions, and broadcasts recorded by BBC that reminds you of your team’s favourite moments."

"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."

"In the heart of the city, the Leeds Art Gallery offers a feast for art lovers, its collections covering everything from traditional prints, watercolours, paintings and sculpture to weird and wonderful contemporary works. The gallery is renowned for having the best collection of British art outside of London - a fiercely contested accolade. Adjoining the gallery is the Henry Moore Institute, with its acclaimed sculpture study centre, and a full programme of sculpture exhibitions that run all year round."

"Address: The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER. Phone number: 0161 275 7450. Part of the University of Manchester, this collection of over 60,000 pieces ranges from historic fine art to contemporary art, prints and sculptures."

"Stood high on Castle Hill dominating Clitheroe’s skyline for over 800 years, Clitheroe Castle Museum is now open after a complete makeover and offers a day of exploration for all the family. Explore the hands-on galleries, collections and displays which reveal amazing stories and take you on a journey through 350 million years of history."

"In a city with the biggest student population outside of London, it would be absurd for the prevailing university culture not to have some influence on the art scene. Housed within the University of Leeds campus in the Grade II listed Art Deco Parkinson Building, The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery showcases a mix of contemporary art as well as works from the university’s special collections department spanning over 200 years. The gallery expectedly supports and promotes its students’ and its graduates’ work, in addition to displays from local artists and those from further afield."

"You don’t have to be a student to enjoy the art of The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery at the University of Leeds. Since 1970, it’s been home to the University Art Collection, which features ceramics, photographs and sculpture. That’s not all – you can see an incredible selection of British and European paintings, drawings and prints from 17th century to the present day."

"Oasis is a Chorlton ice cream institution which also offers a variety of sorbets, frozen yoghurt and slushes. Open until 11pm, it’s good at attracting a local late night crowd: just the ticket when you have a craving to satisfy without having to settle for a tub of Ben & Jerry’s. Manchester Rd, Chorlton, M21 9GA"

"Although there has been a parish church building on this site since the late Anglo Saxon or Early Norman period, the cathedral we see today looks nothing like the building that would have stood there all those years ago. The cathedral has been modified over the years after structural damage caused by the Civil War, damage caused by a German bomb during the Manchester Blitz in the second World War and further damage caused by the IRA bomb of 1996. In the thirteenth century a stone parish church was constructed in the parish that was to become Manchester, serving people in a 60 mile radius."

"Standing proud since 1421 when Henry V signed a royal charter granting permission for a collegiate church to be built, the iconic Manchester Cathedral has survived world wars, bombings and the industrial revolution first hand. Admire the beautiful stained glass windows and carved ceilings as you wander around the building and listen to the sound of choristers and jazz that is often playing. If you want to learn more about the building there are guided tours every day at 11 am and 2 pm Monday to Saturday."

"Manchester’s magnificent Cathedral dates back to 1421 when a royal charter was granted by Henry V. Since then it has survived wars, bombings, the Reformation and more. Manchester Cathedral"

"Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9LW - Visit now. In recent years Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has been lovingly restored; you can now sit at her desk, see where Charlotte Brontë hid behind the curtains, and have tea in the downstairs café. Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is open again on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 11 am – 4.30 pm."

"Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9LW - Visit now. Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has been lovingly restored; you can now sit at her desk, see where Charlotte Brontë hid behind the curtains, and have tea in the downstairs café."

"With Manchester taxis, you can now visit the Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. Elizabeth Gaskell was a famous novelist with many famous works such as Cranford and North and South, which are already adapted for television. Also, consider visiting the Grade II listed Regency villa."

"A Leeds fixture for decades, St Johns has three entrances, two levels and is home to the Post Office and Poundland. Step inside and you’ll find over thirty eateries and shops, the location making it an ideal spot to pick up some essentials or something to eat during your lunch break if you work nearby. Get your nails refreshed at Magic Nails, your eyebrows threaded at Browline and grab a culture fix at the branch of HMV on the lower floor."

"Though it is not creating as much loud as other shopping centres in Leeds, St Johns Centre has been serving its regular segment of customers for many generations. It established in the year 1985 and now possesses more than 30 stores spread across two floors. St Johns Centre features few of the famous brands like Poundland, Card Factory, Stampede and Taco Bell."

"One of Leeds’ most recent retail parks, everything at The Springs in Thorpe Park feels shiny and new. Get your shop on at Boots, The Range and EE, while there’s an M&S Foodhall too. H&M, JD, Card Factory, The Works, The Entertainer, Mountain Warehouse, Next, TK Maxx – it’s a place that covers a lot of ground."