Best Museums in Preston

"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."

"In the heart of the city centre, just off St Peters Sqaure, you can find one of the country's finest art collections in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings. Highlights include outstanding pre-Raphaelite paintings, craft and design and early 20th century British art."

"Home to two of Europe's top football teams - Man City and Man United - Manchester is a great place to pay homage to the country's favorite sport. First stop should be the National Football Museum. This football shrine features fascinating memorabilia related to the sport, including such gems as the very first rulebook, as well as historic trophies and clothing."

"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."

"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."

"Reopened in 2015 after a £15m transformation, Manchester’s gallery in the park is home to an internationally important collection of art, including significant work by William Blake and J.M.W. Turner. It also hosts an exciting roster of visiting exhibitions and events. Visit the website for the latest information."

"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."

"The Madame Tussauds museums are famous around the world for their realistic wax figures of famous celebrities. Although the main museum is in London, there are a number of Madame Tussauds in other major cities, and Blackpool is one of them!. And just like the London version, Blackpool’s Madame Tussaud’s museum doesn’t disappoint for the slightest moment."

"If it’s action, adventure and celeb selfies you’re after, then Madame Tussauds is the place to go. There’s a new Marvel Comics attraction, which feels just like you’re stepping into a comic strip and coming face to face with your heroes. Our boys loved attempting to lift Thor’s hammer and a New York taxi Hulk-style!"

"The museums in Salford give the very essence of its citizens and rich culture. If you are looking for something deeper and more meaningful, head to the museums in city. Explore the cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical side of Salford with these museums."

"The collections at the Grundy Gallery boast an eclectic programme of historic and contemporary exhibits, housed in a beautiful Grade II listed Edwardian building. The collections feature the work of both established and emerging artists from the UK and abroad, as well as historically important works loaned from major UK institutions and objects from its own permanent collection. The gallery aims to cater to a wide audience with an ambitious and varied year-round programme that draws on the unique and invigorating context and heritage of Blackpool, for instance exploring the space between contemporary art, entertainment and popular culture."

"The Grundy Art Gallery is something of a hidden gem in Blackpool, although it is located only steps from the Promenade. Featuring a variety of exhibitions and artwork from established and emerging artists, it also displays historically important artwork loaned from important UK institutions. Blackpool has a very strong cultural history and a lively pop culture, which the gallery sets out to explore in whole new ways, making it the leading visual arts centre in the northwest."

"The Grundy Art Gallery is a historical gallery located in Blackpool. The Gallery was established in 1911. It contains paintings and artworks of local artists and UK artists."

"This attraction features well-maintained locomotives that date back more than 100 years. A preserved railway, it is now also the home of the collection from the Southport Railway Museum and was opened to public access in 2005. It also operates passenger services from Preston Riverside to and from Strand Road Crossing."

"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"

"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."

"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."

"Birthplace of the suffragette movement in 1903, the Pankhurst Centre is an excellent place to learn about the fight for women’s right to vote. There are people who guide you through the house to help you learn about the history. The museum is open to the public from 10-4pm on Thursdays, and on the second and fourth Sunday of the month."

"Lurking amidst the retail shops on Birley Street lies the UK's only horror-themed tea room. The Crypt is a hangout for horror lovers and people who love the spooky season all year round. The walls are dripping with horror movie props, merchandise and memorabilia."

"There for the Baking lives up to their name: their passion for cakes comes first!. The bakery is spearheaded by Viv – a passionate baker with a sweet tooth!. They are extremely accommodating of special orders, especially when it comes to dietary restrictions."

"The team at Funky Food in Birkdale consider themselves to be 'vegan and gluten-free specialists'. Their Facebook page says "We can cater for any needs including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-intolerant, diabetic, low-sugar and sugar free."

"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."

"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."

"Reopened in 2015 after a £15m transformation, Manchester’s gallery in the park is home to an internationally important collection of art, including significant work by William Blake and J.M.W. Turner. It also hosts an exciting roster of visiting exhibitions and events. Visit the website for the latest information."

"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."

"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"

"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."

"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."