Free Museums in Preston Brook

"Come to Manchester Art Gallery, conveniently nestled in the centre of the city, if you want to take a walk through Manchester’s art history. Here you will find works that go back to the pre-Raphaelite period as well as works by famous local artists like Lowry (see more below). It’s most certainly one of the best things to do in Manchester if you love a big slice of culture."

"If you’re a lover of football, make a beeline straight to the former Urbis building where you’ll find the National Football Museum. The dramatic glass structure is worth a visit simply to admire the architecture, but fans of the beautiful game will delight at the vast array of exhibitions dedicated to their favourite sport inside, including a special area dedicated to the infamous World Cup win in 1966. Rotating events and exhibitions include the chance to brush up your own football skills or to have a go on a collection of retro arcade games."

"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."

"Everyone knows about Manchester’s history and continuing relationship with the world’s most popular sport, football. Manchester United and City are two of the most successful clubs on Earth, whilst also being two of the biggest brands. The former in particular has a rich history dating back to earlier in the 20th century, resulting in their current standing as one of the biggest – if not the biggest – sporting brands."

"Another of Liverpool’s great museums which should hopefully be reopening from May 18 with its permanent displays including Enslavement and the Middle Passage, which looks at how enslaved Africans were taken to work on plantations in the Americas, and Challenging Histories, a collection of contemporary artworks which show how artists have responded to the history of transatlantic slavery and its legacy."

"At the Merseyside Maritime Museum you can explore the nautical heritage of Liverpool. Alongside finding out about Liverpool’s central role in the American Civil War and Battle of the Atlantic, tour a historic Liverpool pilot cutter moored in the Dock and take a trip round the adjacent Pier Master’s House. For families the museum recommends:"

"Tate Liverpool is the only place in the North to be for modern and contemporary art from the world over. Since opening its doors in 1988 Tate Liverpool has become one of the most visited art galleries outside of London and has a stunning array of work from the National Collection, as well as regular exhibitions of some of the finest art there has ever been, including exhibitions and events relating to Gustav Klimt, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Keith Haring, to name just a few."

"Opened in 1988, Tate Liverpool has been at the forefront of contemporary art in the city. Housed within a former docking warehouse on the picturesque Albert Docks, the Tate regularly hosts events, workshops and exhibitions and offers plentiful free displays. Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock|© Tate Liverpool/Facebook"

"Liverpool is famous for its art collections and Tate Liverpool is one of its most well-known galleries. Tate Liverpool features work from the Tate Collection which showcases British art from the 16th century to the present. Tate Liverpool specialises in contemporary and modern art."

"Comprising around 60 photographs and personal accounts, the exhibition documents one of the darkest periods in the city’s history, as we mark its 80th anniversary this month. Visitors will also be able to view a portrait of 19th century boxer Jem Wharton by Liverpool artist William Daniels, part of the National Portrait Gallery’s COMING HOME project. Other highlights include the House of Suarez Vogue Ball dress and L8 Against Apartheid, a new display highlighting the history of the community’s role in the anti-apartheid movement, and the fight to free Nelson Mandela."

"The contrast of the modern exterior compared with other museums is striking, constructed in 1993 it celebrates the exciting history and story of Liverpool including its famous music and sporting heroes. All aboard the railway and enjoy the 6000 objects that the museum houses. For our youngest, we always pay a visit to the play zone, The Little Liverpool Gallery, where the kids can splash in the water play area, relax in a sensory pod or play with the hands-on exhibits."

"Liverpool's storied past is explored through an interactive exploration of the city's cultural and historical milestones: the railroad, poverty, wealth, Brookside (a popular ’80s and '90s TV soap opera set in the..."

"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."

"CFCCA reopens with a duo of exhibitions investigating and unpicking themes of belonging, identity and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are just a few minutes’ walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging."

"The municipal museum was founded in 1848 and moved into its purpose-built Neoclassical home in 1857. This is one of the UK’s oldest town museums and the building has kept its original character. As with the best municipal museums, the collection is a big jumble of local industrial artefacts, Egyptology, Roman archaeology, coins, ethnographic displays, items from the Civil War and zoological and botanical specimens."

"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."

"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"

"Housed within an impressive, Grade II listed building, VG&M is known for its collection of the work of wildlife artist, John James Audubon. Once you've checked out the art gallery, the museum has some curiosities worth taking a look at too: the National Pipe Archive and a display of dentures through the ages – not your average collection of artefacts. Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-5:00 Victoria Building, 150 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF 5 minute walk from LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus and 20 minute walk from LJMU City Campus."

"In this fascinating museum, you will find a range of collections displaying the weird and the wonderful from nightmares in a bottle, Victorian dental surgeries, and a fine art collection. This variety of exhibits is bound to inspire everyone and teach you something about almost everything!. The Victoria Gallery and Museum aim to give visitors a unique insight into the curiosities from the 127 years of the University of Liverpool."

"With a combination of delicious food, great wines and a real ambience, Café Rouge has embodied the style and je ne sais quoi of French dining since it opened way back in 1989. Now with over 90 sites across the country it's just the place to mull over…"

"Head to The Midland Hotel to discover Adam Reid at The French, an award-winning upscale restaurant serving modern cuisine by chef Adam Reid. The restaurant uses only seasonal produce, and the menu offers a choice of four, six, or nine courses, all of which showcase classic British food with a contemporary twist. This is where you want to go for a special occasion or a fancy night out, and it's essential to book in advance."

"The flagship fine dining restaurant at The Midland Hotel is Manchester’s long-standing answer to Haute cuisine. Now under the Manchester-born chef Adam Reid, winner of the BBC’s prestigious Great British Menu, who has brought The French a new sense of youth. Despite the name, The French focuses on British food using local ingredients and native flavours such as Beef Dripping, Rhubarb and Lancashire cheese."