Best Museums in North Downs

We've collected top 10 mentioned museums in North Downs from other articles such as Streetours, list.co.uk, Tripadvisor's Top Things to Do.

Best Museums in North Downs

Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery
4.6 (5816 ratings)4.5 (1883 ratings)
Artworks spanning 6 centuries plus changing historic and contemporary exhibitions and family events.
Mosley St, Manchester, M2 3JL, United Kingdom
Art galleryMuseums
Mentioned by Kev's Best
5 Best Art Galleries in Manchester 🥇
"Manchester Art Gallery is the original useful museum, started in 1823 by artists, as an educational institution to make sure that the city and all its people grow with creativity, imagination, productivity, and health. It is free and open to all people as a place of civic thinking and public imagination, it promotes art as a means to achieve social change. It has been at the centre of city life for almost 200 years, created as the Royal Manchester Institution for the Promotion of Literature, Science and the Arts."
Mentioned by The Ladybirds' Adventures
Things to do with kids in Manchester summer 2021
"Grayson’s Art Club – An exhibition of works selected by artist Grayson Perry during Grayson’s Art Club, the popular Channel 4 TV series. All the works on display are very personal visual representations of lockdown, made by the public, well-known artists and celebrities for Grayson’s Art Club.Between Friday 2 July and Sunday 29 August. Other exhibitions are also on too."
Mentioned by nationalfootballmuseum.com
Visit Manchester's museums and galleries this summer -
"If you’re visiting the main gallery, you won’t need to book a ticket—you can just walk in. There will be lots to see including a new display, What is Manchester Art Gallery?. , which introduces the gallery, its origins, how the collection was formed and how it relates to Manchester and its people."
National Football Museum
National Football Museum
4.3 (4302 ratings)4.5 (3428 ratings)
More than 140,000 football-related items plus a kids' discovery zone and skills-testing simulators.
Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG, United Kingdom
National museumMuseumsSports memorabilia storeVisitor centerSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by Manchester Evening News
When are Manchester's art galleries, museums and theatres reopening?
"The world-leading National Football Museum will open up again on Thursday May 27, with new exhibitions to explore. Visitors will be able to see the English Football Hall of Fame, showcasing some of those who’ve made an outstanding contribution to football, both on and off the pitch. There's also a new photographic exhibition opening on June 11, 2021, coinciding with the rescheduled Euros, looking at the popular culture surrounding the Euro 96 tournament."
Mentioned by Manchester Evening News
The places which make Manchester the UK's cultural capital
"The National Football Museum offers visitors the chance to explore the history and culture of the sport. The National Football Museum offers visitors the chance to delve into the history and culture of the beautiful game, with exhibitions including Geoff Hurst’s red England shirt and ball from the 1966 World Cup Final and Diego Maradona’s Hand of God jersey."
Mentioned by Streetours
6 Best Free Things to do in Manchester
"For fans of football, or sport in general, this museum is a must see. There are a range of important collections of football memorabilia as well events and exhibitions that teach you about the incredible history of football in England. Visit their website before your trip to see what’s on and book tickets."
The Whitworth
The Whitworth
4.5 (1560 ratings)4 (813 ratings)
Visual arts collection surrounded by parkland, closed for massive expansion work until summer 2014.
Oxford Rd, Manchester, M15 6ER, United Kingdom
Art museumMuseumsArt gallery
Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in Manchester, England
"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 DĂĽrer and Rembrandt to Lucian Freud and David Hockney."
Mentioned by Fountain of Travel
29 Free Things To Do in Manchester, United Kingdom
"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."
Mentioned by Culture Trip
Must-Visit Attractions in Manchester
"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."
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
4.5 (616 ratings)4.5 (189 ratings)
Permanent and temporary exhibitions include Victorian art, street mock-up and local history archive.
Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU, United Kingdom
Art galleryMuseumsArt museumSpecialty Museums
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery
4.5 (277 ratings)4.5 (256 ratings)
1857 museum with 200,000 artefacts displayed in original Victorian glass cabinets, plus fine art.
Bold St, Warrington, WA1 1DR, United Kingdom
Art museumMuseumsArt gallery
Mentioned by The Crazy Tourist
15 Best Things to Do in Warrington (Lancashire, England
"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."
Mentioned by Warrington | AccessAble
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA)
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA)
4.2 (114 ratings)4.5 (36 ratings)
Long-established venue for exhibitions, residencies, festivals and events, with an eclectic shop.
13 Thomas St, Manchester, M4 1EU, United Kingdom
Art galleryMuseumsEvent venueGift shopArt Museums
Mentioned by Kev's Best
5 Best Art Galleries in Manchester 🥇
"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."
Mentioned by nationalfootballmuseum.com
Visit Manchester's museums and galleries this summer -
"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."
Mentioned by Manchester Evening News
When are Manchester's art galleries, museums and theatres reopening?
"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."
RAF Burtonwood Association
RAF Burtonwood Association
4.6 (82 ratings)4.5 (11 ratings)
c/o Gulivers Kingdom, Warrington, WA5 9YZ, United Kingdom
Heritage museumMuseumsMilitary Museums
Contemporary Six - The Gallery
Contemporary Six - The Gallery
5 (23 ratings)5 (10 ratings)
37 Princess St, Manchester, M2 4FN, United Kingdom
Art galleryMuseumsArt museum
Mentioned by Kev's Best
5 Best Art Galleries in Manchester 🥇
"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."
Mentioned by Confidentials
Manchester’s best city centre art galleries
"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"
Lymefield Arts & Crafts
Lymefield Arts & Crafts
4.8 (41 ratings)5 (15 ratings)
Lymefield, Broadbottom, Hyde SK14 6AG, United Kingdom
Craft storeMuseumsArt cafeArt galleryGreeting card shop
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
4.5 (2182 ratings)4 (1172 ratings)
Educational observatory museum with science exhibits, the Lovell Radio Telescope, plus outdoor cafe.
Macclesfield, SK11 9DL, United Kingdom
Science museumMuseumsRecreation
Mentioned by The Crazy Tourist
15 Best Things to Do in Macclesfield (Cheshire, England
"Macclesfield is in the orbit of the Jodrell Bank Observatory, founded in 1945 and part of the University of Manchester. The primary telescope at Jodrell Bank is the colossal Lovell Telescope, built in 1957 and still the third largest steerable dish radio telescope in the world, at 76.2 metres in diameter. Amateur astronomers come a long way to savour this immense structure, which along with the rest of the station has been mooted for World Heritage Status."

Best Lunch Restaurants in North Downs

Taco Bell
Taco Bell
4.1 (699 ratings)
Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.
Kiosk 5, 32 Market St, Manchester M4 3AQ, United Kingdom
Taco restaurantBurrito restaurantFast food restaurantLunch restaurantTakeout RestaurantRestaurantTex-Mex restaurantVegetarian restaurant
Fig + Sparrow
Fig + Sparrow
4.6 (535 ratings)
20 Oldham St, Manchester, M1 1JA, United Kingdom
Coffee shopBreakfast restaurantLunch restaurant
Mentioned by Secret Manchester
9 Atmospheric Coffee Shops In Manchester That Will Help You Recharge
"Another city centre spot perfect for working in, Fig + Sparrow is incredibly warm and welcoming, with some outdoor seating allowing guests to take in the hustle and bustle of city life. Serving up top-quality coffee that they sourced from the North East, Fig + Sparrow also sells gifts and design products, too – a great little touch to the cosy independent cafe. Fig + Sparrow, 20 Oldham St, M1 1JA."
Mentioned by Manhattanite
The 10 Best Places To Eat In Manchester
"Fig + Sparrow is a great coffee shop where you can enjoy delicious coffee and a quick snack in a cozy environment. The perfect spot for a break while vintage shopping in the Northern Quarter. This place has super cute decor and its interior reminds me a lot about cafés in Scandinavia these days."
Mentioned by I Love Manchester
Top 10 Coolest Indie Coffee Shops in Manchester
"Like many others, you might mistake Fig & Sparrow for a quirky trinket shop. But you’d be very wrong. Nestled to the rear of this popular independent lifestyle store is a quaint coffee shop that offers some outstanding beverages."
Federal Cafe Bar
Federal Cafe Bar
4.7 (1491 ratings)
Espressos, all-day brunch menu and cakes, plus evening cocktails in a casual, Antipodean coffee bar.
9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester, M4 1EY, United Kingdom
CafeBarBreakfast restaurantBrunch restaurantCoffee shopLunch restaurant
Mentioned by Batch Coffee UK - Speciality coffee subscription
16 Best Coffee Shops in Manchester 2021 | BATCH Coffee UK | Manchester Cafe's, Roasters and Bakery's
"A fantastic cafe with a couple of locations in the city, Federal was founded by an English and Portuguese couple that have created an Australian-Esque brunch experience. The sexy vibes and laid back culture make federal a perfect way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy Manchester weekend. They have an extensive breakfast and brunch menu which includes a wonderful mix of great homemade food and coffee from Ozone coffee roasters in London."
Mentioned by The Manc
Places you can still grab a takeaway coffee in Manchester city centre this weekend
"Serving up quality Antipodean-style coffee from two locations in the heart of Manchester city centre, the ever-popular and much-loved Federal Cafe & Bar is still open for walk-ins to grab yourself a wide range of takeaway beverages this weekend. 9 Nicholas Croft, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1EY&94 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3ND. You can find more information via the Federal Cafe & Bar website here."
Mentioned by travioso.com
The 15 Best Breakfasts in Manchester
"Making a name for themselves on the local culinary scene, Federal has become a brunch favourite for tourists and locals. If their photos featuring delicious meals won't bring you in, the nearly 5-star rating across the board should. Open daily and serving all-day brunch, this is the place to visit if you get that breakfast craving."

Must See Sights and Landmarks in North Downs Area

B29 OVEREXPOSED Crash Site
B29 OVEREXPOSED Crash Site
4.8 (580 ratings)4.5 (2 ratings)
Charlesworth, Glossop, SK13 1JB, United Kingdom
Historical landmarkSights & LandmarksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mentioned by AverageLives
15 Best Peak District Walks - The Ultimate Guide
"The B29 Overexposed Crash Site is an exciting and memorable Peak District walk, as it is a site where 13 people tragically lost their lives in 1948. We recommend exploring the area but also be respectful as it is a memorial. It is interesting how after 70 years, you can still see vast parts of the wreckage."
Hotel Indigo Manchester - Victoria Station
Hotel Indigo Manchester - Victoria Station
4.7 (557 ratings)3.5 (443 ratings)
Elegant hotel in a Victorian building featuring a restaurant & a cocktail bar, plus a 24-hour gym.
6 Todd St, Manchester, M3 1WU, United Kingdom
HotelSights & LandmarksPet friendly accommodationArchitectural Buildings
Mentioned by I Love Manchester
THE most romantic hotels in Manchester - and one has an incredible infinity pool
"One of the newest kids on the block is the stunning Indigo Hotel near Victoria Station. The building retains many of its original features and has a laid back bohemian vibe with 187 bedrooms styled to reflect Manchester’s industrial past. The Mamucium Restaurant and Bar is overseen by former Lowry Hotel executive chef Andrew Green, so if it’s tempting tapas you’re looking for, or you just fancy some locally sourced beers, Hotel Indigo has it all."
Peveril Castle
Peveril Castle
4.3 (1080 ratings)4 (438 ratings)
Square keep built on a hilltop by Henry II in 1176, with visitor centre and picnic area.
Market Pl, Castleton, Hope Valley S33 8WQ, United Kingdom
CastleSights & LandmarksHistorical landmarkAncient Ruins
Mentioned by peakcottages.com
Historic houses and castles in the Peak District
"Standing high above the picturesque village of Castleton are the imposing ruins of Peveril Castle, one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses. After an exhilarating climb from the village you are rewarded with breath-taking panoramic views over Hope Valley from the top of the hill. All that survives of the castle today is the atmospheric keep, built by Henry II in 1176."
Mentioned by darwinforest.co.uk
Derbyshire Stately Homes & Gardens | Darwin Forest
"The imposing ruins of Peveril Castle stand high above the pretty village of Castleton. A climb to the castle at the top of the hill to enjoy the breathtaking views over the Hope Valley is a highlight of a family day out in Castleton. Explore the remains of the keep including the garderobe (medieval lavatory)!"
Mentioned by picturesofengland.com
Pictures of Peak District National Park
"Built to be impregnable, the ruins of Peveril Castle stand on a steep ridge with dramatic views in all directions, giving the....."

Best Arts and Culture Places in North Downs

Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery
4.6 (5816 ratings)4.5 (1883 ratings)
Artworks spanning 6 centuries plus changing historic and contemporary exhibitions and family events.
Mosley St, Manchester, M2 3JL, United Kingdom
Art galleryMuseums
Mentioned by Kev's Best
5 Best Art Galleries in Manchester 🥇
"Manchester Art Gallery is the original useful museum, started in 1823 by artists, as an educational institution to make sure that the city and all its people grow with creativity, imagination, productivity, and health. It is free and open to all people as a place of civic thinking and public imagination, it promotes art as a means to achieve social change. It has been at the centre of city life for almost 200 years, created as the Royal Manchester Institution for the Promotion of Literature, Science and the Arts."
Mentioned by The Ladybirds' Adventures
Things to do with kids in Manchester summer 2021
"Grayson’s Art Club – An exhibition of works selected by artist Grayson Perry during Grayson’s Art Club, the popular Channel 4 TV series. All the works on display are very personal visual representations of lockdown, made by the public, well-known artists and celebrities for Grayson’s Art Club.Between Friday 2 July and Sunday 29 August. Other exhibitions are also on too."
Mentioned by nationalfootballmuseum.com
Visit Manchester's museums and galleries this summer -
"If you’re visiting the main gallery, you won’t need to book a ticket—you can just walk in. There will be lots to see including a new display, What is Manchester Art Gallery?. , which introduces the gallery, its origins, how the collection was formed and how it relates to Manchester and its people."
The Gallery in the Gardens
The Gallery in the Gardens
4.8 (17 ratings)4.5 (11 ratings)
Gallery in the Pavilion Gardens featuring paintings, ceramics, glass & other works by local artists.
6 St John's Rd, Buxton, SK17 6XN, United Kingdom
Art galleryMuseumsModern art museum
Mentioned by The Crazy Tourist
15 Best Things to Do in Buxton (Derbyshire, England
"While idling in the Pavilion Gardens you could call in at this gallery in the main building next to the tourist information desk. The Gallery in the Gardens is a platform for painting and arts and crafts by more than 40 local artists and craftspeople. Their works are for sale and include textiles, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, embroidery, glass, linocuts, etchings, woodcarvings and prints."
Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Things To Do In Buxton, UK - Updated 2021
"Since you’ll find yourself within The Pavilion Gardens, you might want to pay The Gallery in the Gardens a visit. It’s an art gallery featuring paintings, ceramics, and other crafts by local artists. Support the local artists’ high-quality masterpieces by making a purchase or two if you can."
The Whitworth
The Whitworth
4.5 (1560 ratings)4 (813 ratings)
Visual arts collection surrounded by parkland, closed for massive expansion work until summer 2014.
Oxford Rd, Manchester, M15 6ER, United Kingdom
Art museumMuseumsArt gallery
Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in Manchester, England
"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 DĂĽrer and Rembrandt to Lucian Freud and David Hockney."
Mentioned by Fountain of Travel
29 Free Things To Do in Manchester, United Kingdom
"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."
Mentioned by Culture Trip
Must-Visit Attractions in Manchester
"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."

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near North Downs

4.7 (114 reviews)
60 Manchester Road
apartment
$99 /night
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4.1 (2334 reviews)
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Airport
hotel
$86 /night
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504 Wilmslow Road
apartment
$95.25 /night
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