Best Arts and Culture Places in Chorley

"Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 3JL - Visit now. Manchester Art Gallery houses 25,000 artefacts across six centuries and contemporary exhibitions by world-leading artists in a beautifully-restored neo-Classic gallery, slap band in the city centre. The architect also designed Highclere Castle (or Downton Abbey)."

"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 also has an important history when it comes to war and conflict over the past hundred years. The Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) is an interactive space built solely for the purpose of telling the most vital, powerful stories of war from across the region. The entire structure was built around an impressive, genuine fighter jet!"

"One of Manchester's most beautiful buildings, the John Rylands Library on Deansgate is a fine example of Vicorian neo-gothic architecture which houses some of the most significant books and manuscripts ever produced. Following a recent multi-million pound re-development, the building is a major visitor attraction for Manchester - not to mention a beautiful space to study. 150 Deansgate, 0161 834 5343"

"You may crave some culture next, and Manchester is more than able to accommodate. The John Rylands Library is an excellent choice with late 19th century gothic architecture to appreciate and fresh, new exhibits rotating through every couple of months. You will be captivated by the juxtaposition of old and new and enthralled by the art and imagination of the works inside."

"Head to the late-Victorian neo-Gothic building for amazing architecture which will add a splash of sophistication to your feed. John Rylands Library was opened to the public in 1900 and looks more like a castle or cathedral rather than a place to loan out books. Venture into the Reading Room with its ornate wooden carvings and designs, for the best photos."

"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’."

"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."

"Like Contemporary Six, Generation also offers the Own Art scheme. Artworks range from under £100, to a whopping £49,000, with bestsellers including Kerry Darlington’s fantastical resin creations and JJ Adams’ subversive celebrity depictions. Whether you’re a serious collector, or simply after a quirky piece for your home, you’d do well do beat it."

"If you’re looking for locally crafted ceramics, prints, jewellery or art work, Manchester Craft and Design Centre is the perfect place to discover something unusual. Located in a former Victorian fish market, the beautifully restored building is home to two floors of studios, where artists, potters and craftspeople create and sell their work in one space. There’s also a great café on the ground floor and you can often discover interesting art installations or musical performances there."

"Described as ‘The place to make, see and buy contemporary craft and design in the North West’, Manchester Craft & Design Centre is situated in the centre of the city’s creative Northern Quarter. The centre has been managed by Manchester City Council since 1982 and has been helping both practitioners and design enthusiasts through its work. The centre houses 18 working studios as well as organising exhibitions and events to promote local talent."

"Home to over nineteen artisans, MCDC spans textiles to prints, sculpture to jewellery and more besides. The studio element means you can often see designers at work and learn more about the process behind their practise, while the organisation’s support programme showcases a wealth of established and emerging local talent. The building (a Victorian former fish market) is interesting too."

"Established in 2000 as a ‘creative space for young people’, Z-arts has learning at its core. The family-friendly Hulme venue offers a welcoming, vibrant and safe environment to get creative in."

"Live participation classes are already up and running at Z-Arts, but it'll be a little wait for the theatre and gallery spaces. See the latest updates at z-arts.org/see-whats-on."

"Obstructions, Castlefield Gallery’s locked-down exhibition, will open for just five days from 19–23 May. Originally due to open on Saturday 21 November 2020, and only able to welcome visitors in the virtual realm since then, the exhibition was conceived during what now feels like the early days of the pandemic. 15 artists from the North West of England were invited to remake an existing piece of their work with one condition: they had to accept a bespoke ‘obstruction’ given to them by another artist in the exhibition."

"Lurking as it does behind Deansgate Station, it’s easy to miss this quirky platform for emerging artists but it's worth seeking out. The primary emphasis at Castlefield Gallery is niche projects that have international relevance, exploring topics such as the role of art in society through collaborations with local organisations like Madlab. A registered charity, it also has a members’ scheme."

"Established by artists in 1984, Castlefield Gallery is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists."

"Located on Verwood Drive, Anita’s Wicked Cakes is the place to go if you want one of the most creative cakes you’ve ever had!. Whether you’re searching for the ultimate wedding cake or birthday cake for yourself or someone else, you can choose from a selection of cakes or come up with your own custom cake for any occasion. Their Novelty birthday cakes can be as extravagant or as simple as you like, with 3D details that really make it pop, and a gorgeous selection of bespoke, or budget-friendly cakes for any occasion including weddings."

"Contact Theatre will be heading out across Manchester this summer for a series of outdoor performances. Contact is an Oxford Road theatre and performing arts venue creating and producing its own shows, as well as hosting tours from the world’s best theatre companies. Contact will be heading out across the city this summer, delivering a series of outdoor performances before its building reopens to the public in September 2021."

"One for the grown-ups - the Comedy Station is described as "Blackpool's Funniest Night Out.". Enjoy an evening of sharp wit and belly laughs at one of Blackpool’s premiere live comedy clubs - and the only purpose-built comedy club in Lancashire. With a skilled compere welcoming three comedy talents from top-flight television shows such as Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo and more, bringing the best of the UK comedy circuit to Blackpool, it's sure to be a night out to remember."

"One of the best outdoor restaurants in Manchester, The Ape & Apple is an ideal pitstop after a long day of exploring the city. With friendly locals, monthly-changing ales and a secret terrace out the back, this place ticks all of our alfresco dining boxes."

"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"

"Gino’s is the newbie on Market Street, a small parlour that channels Italy from the music to the ingredients used in the gelato that’s made fresh every day. Tuck into the smooth Ferrero Rocher or the refreshing classic strawberry gelato – or any of the fabulous flavours – in a tub, cone, on a waffle, in a milkshake or even on a pancake."