Best Arts and Culture Places in Norden

"The Manchester Art Gallery possesses one of the largest art collections in Britain outside of London. The gallery includes works by the pre-Raphaelites; Flemish masters of the 17th century; French impressionists, including Gauguin, Manet, and Monet; and German artists such as Max Ernst. There are also pieces from well-known English artists, including Stubbs, Constable, and Turner."

"In Trafford, you will find a striking building that is specifically designed to leave all visitors slightly uneasy and assist them to process all the feelings that conflicts and war can evoke – the building lies on a former bomb site. The main exhibitions chart all the wars that have affected Britain since the First World War. Taxis in Manchester are here to help you avoid missing out the Big Picture Show – a blend of film and photographs."

"Imperial War Museum North, one of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, centers on the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. Found in Trafford Park, the museum's location and building is worth the visit alone, with amazing modern architecture right on Salford Quays. The museum's main exhibition, which has free admission, looks the impact of war on our culture via 2,000 objects, photographs, and interactive displays."

"The John Rylands Library is a late-Victorian neo-Gothic building that today is party of the University of Manchester Library. While plenty come here to research and study their historic collection, it's worth a visit for the amazing architecture of the library. Venture through the Reading Room for a vast room shot and make sure to marvel at all of the ornate wooden carvings and designs throughout the site."

"Part of the University of Manchester, this Grade One listed building is home to one of the world’s richest collections of literature"

"Found in Whitworth Park, the Whitworth Art Gallery is part of the University of Manchester and owns more than 60,000 works of art. It was first opened in 1889 and now showcases paintings by the likes of William Blake, Thomas Gainsborough, and Camille Pissarro. There is also an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as a wallpaper collection, which includes more than 5,000 examples of vibrant papers."

"The Whitworth relaunched in 2015 after a massive refurbishment and only went on to win an award for Museum of the Year by the Art Fund in its first year. They have a constantly changing display of collections and a wide spectrum of art in their temporary exhibitions. The Whitworth is located in South Manchester, I would recommend taking public transport as it’s quite a walk otherwise."

"The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester has a very Instagrammable restaurant. With all glass walls it feels like your in the middle of nature. You have beautiful views over the park in which you can find the Whitworth Gallery."

"Surrounded by the University of Salford, this sizeable museum is on the south side of Peel Park, mapping the history of Salford and with a large inventory of Victorian art. The museum dates to 1850, and would be worth a visit just to appreciate its Italianate Renaissance-style galleries. These have been arranged to reflect the layout of a Victorian museum, with paintings, decorative art and sculpture all competing for your attention in the same space."

"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…"

"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."

"One of the city's hidden gems, Castlefield Gallery will be able to show its Obstructions exhibition in real life for the first time - for five days only. Obstructions brought together 15 artists from across Greater Manchester during lockdown. The gallery is open from May 19 and you can see more at castlefieldgallery.co.uk."

"Cartwright Hall is the public art gallery in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, situated about a mile from the city centre in the Manningham district. It was constructed on the previous site of Manningham Hall using a gift of £40,000 given by Samuel Lister and it is named after Edmund Cartwright. The gallery which opened in 1904 originally had a exhibition of artworks loaned from other galleries and private collections until it was able to purchase a permanent collection of Victorian and Edwardian works using money raised by the 1904 Bradford Exhibition."

"This is an art gallery that features both modern and ancient art. Located in the picturesque Lister Park, this is a gallery you would not want to miss out on, especially when it is free entry. Order a warm drink at the café and wind down in the peaceful ambience here after you get tired from strolling around the park."

"Guzelian Cafe Bar and Gallery in Little Germany is just two minutes’ walk from the Broadway shopping centre and across the way from Bradford Cathedral. Up a side street but under the shadow of the cathedral, the Guzelian is a small cafe type establishment which serves breakfast, lunch or tapas. The perfect place to relax with a fresh-ground coffee, glass of wine or tasty real ale… while appreciating the stunning photography on the walls"

"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."

"Manchester Craft and Design Centre is sometimes overshadowed by more popular sights, however, I think it’s a Manchester spot that shouldn’t be missed. Housed in a former fish market building, the Craft and Design Centre is now a hub for…you guessed it, craft and design. Independent entrepreneurs hire studio space where they can also sell their goods."

"Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 5JD - Visit now. The thing we love best about Manchester Craft & Design Centre?. The fact that you can buy unique, unusual pieces direct from some incredibly talented designers."

"Located just down the road from our Peel Park campus, this lovely little place combines art with coffee, tea and cake. The tea room offers a very relaxed atmosphere, as well as daily home-baked cakes, while the upstairs gallery is home to six week long exhibitions with work by local artists, including some from Salford students. Hot drinks are reasonably priced and the decor is stunning."

"Yvette Fielding opened this tearoom and even pours the tea herself – so if you want a dining experience with a difference then this is sure to be it. The venue itself is set next to the famous Manchester Cathedral with views that look across towards Salford. It is virtually impossible to walk past without being tempted to go inside and enjoy a slice of cake or an afternoon tea."

"In Trafford, you will find a striking building that is specifically designed to leave all visitors slightly uneasy and assist them to process all the feelings that conflicts and war can evoke – the building lies on a former bomb site. The main exhibitions chart all the wars that have affected Britain since the First World War. Taxis in Manchester are here to help you avoid missing out the Big Picture Show – a blend of film and photographs."

"Imperial War Museum North, one of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, centers on the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. Found in Trafford Park, the museum's location and building is worth the visit alone, with amazing modern architecture right on Salford Quays. The museum's main exhibition, which has free admission, looks the impact of war on our culture via 2,000 objects, photographs, and interactive displays."

"Toby Carvery do a quick and easy all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. “Whether you fancy tea and toast or want to go all out with our unlimited breakfast buffet including eggs, bacon and our famous breakfast Yorkies — here at Toby Carvery, we’ve got everything you need to give you the perfect start to your day.”  We have eaten breakfast in our local Toby Carvery lots of times. It’s a help yourself buffet with all the usual full English goodies."

"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"