Free Museums in Blackstone Edge

"Operated by Manchester City Galleries, the Manchester Art Gallery is a multi-award winning, world-class venue and one of the region’s most popular cultural destinations. The gallery displays an alluring range of art including esteemed contemporary works, photography, design and decorative art, as well as older historically significant works. With 19th century British paintings, major Pre-Raphaelite works and a collection of works by the impressionistic artist Adolphe Valette, Manchester Art Gallery is a destination of national and international importance."

"This free to visit museum is one to add to your Manchester itinerary if you have kids that love art and art history. There’s plenty to learn about the city’s artists and culture. Families with younger children should make a beeline for the Clore Art Studio, which is an interactive space developed by artists."

"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."

"Click here for a special special Football Museum Championship menu Ok, now that I read this myself, I think I should have at least had a quick peek."

"The undisputed home of contemporary art in the region, Leeds Art Gallery is the go-to place for a little artistic stimulation in the North. The building is one of the most recognisable in the city, and its Victorian clock tower remains synonymous with Leeds’ historic skyline. Dubbed a collection of “national importance,” the museum displays work from award-winning artists labelled a stroke of genius, to understated masterpieces from emerging talents with considerably less exposure."

"Leeds Art Gallery boasts a stunning glass roof, one of the most impressive collections of 20th Century British art and a colourful new wall painting commission for the Victorian staircase by Lothar Götz – the perfect selfie backdrop. The Headrow, LS1 3AA"

"After an extensive renovation project, the Whitworth is the best place in the city to view a collection of exciting contemporary art. Keep your eyes peeled on their exciting events calendar, pay a visit to their fabulous restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding park and pick up a picnic basket of art supplies to spark your own creativity."

"Part of the University of Manchester, The Whitworth acts as a bridge between the university and the people of the city by providing a space to meet, play and learn. The gallery has been named Best Emerging Cultural Destination in Europe and includes gallery spaces, a study centre, learning studio and collections centre."

"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."

"Sunny Bank Mills was once a key part of the city’s industrial past, but since being restored by the Gaunt family, it’s been turned into a multi-purpose creative space with a 3,000-square-foot art gallery at its heart. It’s one of the best galleries in Leeds to find exhibitions by local artists, as it gives them a platform to show their work, from Mel Davies’ colourful landscapes to Kate Kenney’s oil paintings of Yorkshire. It’s also home to Spinning Mill Studios, where local artists and makers create and display their work."

"CFCCA is the UK leader in Chinese visual culture, with a reputation for debut solo exhibitions and a roster of internationally-renowned artists; impressive considering that, three decades ago, it was just a series of events in Manchester’s Chinatown. As Manchester’s Chinese population is second only to London’s, the centre’s heritage is particularly important; now represented in a new archive and library. Best feature: A vibrant events schedule, spanning film screenings to workshops and even Mandarin lessons"

"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."

"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 unassuming little house on Nelson Street, this spot was the birthplace of the Suffragette movement. The home of inspirational leader Emmeline Pankhurst, the first Women’s Social and Political Union meeting was held here in 1903. Nowadays, the place has been converted into a museum detailing the battle for women’s equality in Britain and celebrating its great former occupant."

"The Pankhurst Centre is easily one of the best indoor activities in Manchester. Discover the story of Emmeline Pankhurst, a British political activist whose family lived in the house from 1898 to 1907. The centre was where the first meeting of the suffragette campaign for votes for women took place!"

"The Hepworth Wakefield is also an amazing place to visit, with free entry, you can look at the works of many contemporary artists. The Hepworth Wakefield was built in honor of Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975), one of the few female artists to reach international fame in the early to mid 20th-century. By coming here you can view some of Hepworths rarely seen works."

"Situated on Chapel Street, the bar and club venue features a secret garden, shisha lounge, water features, a fire pit, a landscaped garden, heated seating area, a VIP area and heated terrace. The menu features signature cocktails created by Bijou's mixologists alongside a good selection of wine, Champagne and spirits. Call 0161 834 6377, for guest list enquiries email guestlist@bijouclub.co.uk, for table enquiries email bookings@bijouclub.co.uk, and if you have general enquires email info@bijouclub.co.uk."

"Known for being one of Manchester’s hidden gems, Bijou Club is the perfect place to head if you are looking to feel like a VIP for the night out. Since opening in 2009, Bijou has been a celebrity hangout and has had guests like Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo, Rudimental, Drake, Rita Ora, Little Mix, Yxng Bane and more!. As well as the club itself, Bijou is the only venue in the city that has its own River Side terrace with a 15-foot water feature."

"Frequented by reality TV stars, this nightclub also hosts famous DJs and celeb party guests. If you fancy a boogie in luxury surroundings, this club will cater for all your needs as well as providing the perfect back drop for a photo with your squad. With a dress code that oozes glamour, be sure to make an effort when arriving here."

"With tree-lined walkways, vast swathes of grassland and a traditional bandstand where live entertained play during the summer, Horsforth Hall Park is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Japanese gardens are its crowning glory – created in 1987, they reflect the diverse landscapes of the Japanese isles and create a place of contemplation for visitors. The park also has a skate park and a cricket pitch."

"Just north of Rodley Nature Reserve is this park with a Japanese garden, trails and plenty more. The main entrance is off Hall Lane, Horsforth"

"Leeds has several different shopping arcades which are steeped in history, and Thornton’s Arcade is the oldest. Built in 1878, it connects Leeds’ main shopping street, Briggate, with the street behind. The impressive arcade features neo-gothic architecture, and an adorable Potts’ clock which strikes every 15 minutes."

"Though not the grandest, Thornton’s Arcade was the first Victorian shopping arcade to be built in Leeds and remains one of the most interesting. Its sky-coloured, neo-Gothic arches rise up to a glass ceiling and..."

"The tunnels where the leisure and shopping facility is now were a mine in the thirteenth century. The location was also used as prison and during the Second World War was used as an air raid shelter. In the 1960s it was used as a location for dancing."

"Since opening their doors in November 2015, Hope Mill Theatre has become one of the most successful independent venues in England. Located in Ancoats, they produce full scale musicals from their Grade II listed former mill. The theatre will be reopening this summer, as well as hosting Hope Fest, an outdoor arts and culture festival."

"This wonderful independent venue, located out in New Islington, was one of the few theatres that managed to reopen last year after lockdown. It'll be back again with a reduced capacity and socially distanced seating for a Meet Me At Dawn, from HER Productions. You can get tickets at hopemilltheatre.co.uk."

"If you’re looking for a more intimate environment for a night of comedy in Leeds, look no further than the Carriageworks Theatre. The venue puts on a vast and diverse array of entertainment all year round – and they get more than their fair share of comedy too. They’ve had visits from the likes of Mitch Benn, The Reduced Shakespeare Company, Tape Face, Patrick Monahan and The Clean As Possible Comedy Show over the past few years."