Best Museums in Leigh

"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)."

"Housed in a beautiful building with wrought-iron staircases, this splendid collection includes pieces by luminaries such as Valentin Serov, Ilya Repin and Vasily Tropinin, as well as a good sampling of socialist realism, 14th-to-18th-century icons and European old masters. You’ll also find portraits of Princess Maria Tenisheva, who created the Flyonovo estate outside town. There are some English captions throughout."

"It not only includes all the expected exhibits but also boasts interactive attractions to keep the whole family entertained, even the partner that is not that much of a fan!. To top it off, the museum is located inside one of Manchester’s newest and most iconic buildings – The Urbis. Interactive, passionate and full of history, just like the beautiful game itself."

"Visiting the Football Museum in Manchester is a must, regardless of whether you’re a football fan or not. Honestly it beats me that the museum is free to enter, given how elaborate the exhibits are. The museum covers the social history and cultural journey of football becoming a global phenomenon, and everything is very lucidly explained and displayed."

"As well as the Beatles Story, you’ll also find the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Tate Liverpool, and the International Slavery Museum. Finally, football fans might want to take a stadium tour of Anfield – the home of Liverpool FC."

"The docks are home to the Liverpool Maritime Museum, the Beatles Story, the International Slavery Museum and the Tate Modern Art Gallery. This is a great place to stop off for coffee or lunch."

"The Tate is one of the most intimate galleries in Liverpool where you can get close and personal with some of the biggest names in the world of art. You will not be charged to enter the gallery however; some special exhibits might cost you something. Exhibits normally change regularly therefore, it’s important to check online to have an idea of what will be displayed."

"Needing no introduction, Tate Liverpool is one of the country’s leading galleries of contemporary art. Situated in a former docking warehouse on Albert Dock, Tate’s calendar includes a regularly revolving, versatile run of exhibitions, with a lot of them offering free entry."

"The docks are home to the Liverpool Maritime Museum, the Beatles Story, the International Slavery Museum and the Tate Modern Art Gallery. This is a great place to stop off for coffee or lunch."

"If restriction easing goes to plan then the Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront is aiming to reopen to visitors from May 18 with free permanent displays, including one revealing the secret (sometimes grisly) life of Pembroke Place and a temporary photographic exhibition showing how Liverpool was devastated in the Blitz. A Liverpool 8 Against Apartheid exhibition is coming soon too."

"Having opened in 2011, The Museum of Liverpool is one of the youngest in the city. Devoted to the history of the city it is the world's first national museum to be dedicated to a regional city. From exhibitions on The Beatles to the secret life of Pembroke Place, this museum is perfect is you are looking to learn much more about the city you are staying in."

"as the name would suggest, our last suggestions may not ‘geographically’ qualify as Blackpool…… but its right on the boarder (basically, on Blackpool Airport..and has a Blackpool postcode….. which makes us wonder if they’re just being posh by putting ‘lytham’ in the name lol) and one which a lot of you will pass without knowing on your way into the town. Just off Squires Gate lane is located the Lytham Spitfire Centre. For a fiver (per adult – kids £3 ands under 10’s free!!) you can look around the centre and see some of the spitfire restoration going on plus….."

"Located at Blackpool Airport, and constructed for the RAF at the outbreak of World War II, Hangar 42 was home to various RAF and Polish Squadrons, operating night fighter cover for Preston and Merseyside Docklands. Today, it has been transformed into a visitors centre and retains many of its original features from when it was active. A dedicated team of volunteers portray life in the RAF for both air crew and ground crew during those desperate days of World War Two."

"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."

"Sudley House is a stunning 19th century Victorian house in the Mossley Hill area of Liverpool. The free-to-enter gallery and museum features a wonderful collection of Victorian period furniture and exquisite paintings, including some by Turner and Rossetti."

"A historic house based in Aigburth in Liverpool, Sudley House was built in 1824 and now contains the collection of former resident George Holt. The museum and art gallery is known for having paintings by Turner, Rossetti, Holman Hunt and many others."

"With a focus on lenses rather than paint, Open Eye Gallery is a not-for-profit contemporary photography gallery on Liverpool Waterfront. Proudly independent and the only gallery in the north west dedicated to photography, Open Eye hosts regular exhibitions and houses a wonderful collection of photography dating back as far as the 1930s. 19 Mann Island, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 1BP, United Kingdom"

"The Open Eye Gallerywas first established in 1977 and is housed on the waterfront of Liverpool. This not-for-profit gallery houses a collection of contemporary of photography, with workshops taking place. Promoting up-and-coming young photographers, anyone who steps foot in this gallery will be impacted by the powerful images and inspired to chase their photographer dreams."

"Independent and not-for-profit, the Open Eye is the only gallery of its kind in the North West of England. Appropriately housed in an inspiring, modern building on Mann Island, it showcases both well-known and emerging photographers. Don’t overlook this gallery, it’s well worth a visit."

"I quickly booked Bill’s after the original place we were due to go to for my birthday breakfast fell through as they were closed although they allowed online bookings for the time selected."

"Create a Cake is a designer cake boutique that offers absolutely amazing cakes to suit any occasion you have, but also their own cake classes so you can learn to make some amazing cakes yourself. Whatever occasion you may need a cake for, Create a Cake is sure to have a great idea in their catalog of different cakes for different holidays, or you can have a cake made from your own creative ideas. No matter what sort of vision and budget you have for your cake, Create a Cake can make it happen!"

"Castle St Townhouse is an all-day dining restaurant that offers a polished brunch menu - of course served with bottomless prosecco. The loin of cod with asparagus, crushed potatoes and prawn & caper butter, or the oozy pea and mint risotto topped with authentic Italian parmesan are both enticing options. A varied choice of sides, including truffle and parmesan hand-cut chips and Dauphinoise potatoes would make the perfect accompaniment to your boozy brunch."

"Head to Townhouse for classic cocktails with a Castle Street twist – whether you fancy sipping on an authentic Mojito or trying an elegant Bow Tie, this business district hangout is the perfect bar for night owls who want their cocktail in a glass, without the added rubber duck. 25-27 Castle St L2 4TA"

"Castle Street Townhouse is an all-day dining venue with great breakfasts, brunch dishes and A La Carte menu. It also boasts an impressive bar with plenty of drinks options, as this place turns into a treny evening hang out too."

"Brasco Lounge is right on Liverpool’s Waterfront and is the perfect location to enjoy views of The Mersey with a stack of pancakes. Head down for some of their triple-stacked buttermilk pancakes and choose from berry compote, banana and Greek Yoghurt or bacon and maple syrup. For something a little different why not try their Halloumi and Sweetcorn pancakes for a bit of a savoury twist."

"Brasco Lounge is located just opposite Museum of Liverpool just by the Alberts Docks. This cute place seats 80 people in a cool atmosphere and serves a great selection of tapas. It is perfect if you just want something to nibble on or a proper meal alike."

"The Brasco Lounge on Mann Island is a great place to take the kids for lunch. With views of the waterfront and a kids menu full of options that they will love… you can't really go wrong. View this post on Instagram"