Castlefield
Heading south to the edge of the city, Castlefield is Manchester's regenerated canalside district, transformed in the 1990s into a thriving bar, restaurant and cafe scene. As well as a mock-up of the original Roman Fort, the area is a fantastic testament to the city's industrial age with labyrinthine canals, viaducts, iron bridges and revamped warehouses. It is surprisingly quiet during the day and a great place to escape the hustle of the city.


Castlefield
Manchester
United Kingdom
Opening hours: Daily
Admission Fee: No


Imperial War Museum North
This museum is dedicated to how lives have been, and still are, shaped by war and conflict. The award-winning building designed by architect Daniel Libeskind is situated at The Quays, two miles from Manchester city centre. Enjoy dramatic displays of projected images and sound and thousands of objects ranging from a T34 Russian tank and Harrier jump-jet to clothing, diaries and works of art, as well as a series of family interactive Action Stations.


Trafford Wharf Road
Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: (0161) 836 4000.
Web: www.iwm.org.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes


Manchester Art Gallery
One of the country's finest art collections in housed in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings which recently underwent a £35 million transformation. Highlights include pre-Raphaelite paintings and early 20th century British art.


Mosley Street
Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: 0161 235 8888.
Web: www.manchestergalleries.org
Opening hours: Mon-Wed and Fri-Sun 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-2100.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes


Manchester Cathedral
The Cathedral is actually the third to have been built on the site since the eighth century and boasts the widest nave of any church in England. In 1940 a bomb destroyed the entire north-east end of the cathedral. It underwent 20 years of restoration and then suffered more damage from the 1996 IRA bomb. A hi-tech visitor centre at the site includes interesting interactive displays covering the history of the Cathedral and mediaeval Manchester. A licensed restaurant in the basement offers historic and comfortable surroundings in which to eat, drink and relax.


Cathedral Yard
Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: (0161) 833 2220.
Web: manchestercathedral.org
Opening hours: Mon-Friday 0830-1830, Sat 0830-1700, Sun 0830-1900.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes


Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
This 2.8 hectares (6.9 acres) complex is set at the site of the oldest passenger railway buildings in the world. It's a great place to learn more about the city's industrial beginnings and amazing scientific achievements, made vividly alive through the former factory buildings, machinery and historic locomotives. In addition to the permanent collections, there are frequent special exhibitions. There is a shop, a restaurant and a café too.


Castlefield
Liverpool Road
Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: (0161) 832 2244.
Web: www.mosi.org.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: No


National Football Museum

Dedicated to the world of football, this new attraction in Manchester offers the world's greatest soccer collection, with over 140,000 different items, including the FIFA Collection containing memorabilia and photographs. There is also a Hall of Fame in honour of the best players, managers and teams, which changes every year, an interactive Discovery Zone aimed at the under-5s, as well as changing exhibitions.

Cathedral Gardens
Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: (0161) 605 8200.
Web: www.nationalfootballmuseum.com
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 1000-1700; Sun 1100-1700.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes


People's History Museum
Housed in an old Edwardian hydraulic pumping station, the museum is the only national centre devoted to the history of working people in Britain, providing a fascinating insight into the often harsh working conditions of those employed in the city's cotton industry. It underwent major renovation and a separate Archive and Study Centre, formerly separate, has been combined with the museum as part of the revamp.


Bridge Street
The Pump House
Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: (0161) 838 9190.
Web: www.phm.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes


The Lowry
The Lowry is one of Manchester's most renowned centres for arts and performance and is the architectural flagship of the redeveloped Salford Quays waterside location. Incorporating two theatres, a range of galleries, as well as restaurants, bars and cafés, the Lowry's eyecatching architecture won it the 2001 building of the year award. The building takes its name from the celebrated painter LS Lowry (who died in 1976) and houses a permanent Lowry exhibition alongside displays of more contemporary artists.
The Lowry is situated in Salford Quays, also home to the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester United Football Club, Lancashire County Cricket Club, the Lowry Outlet Mall and the Copthorne Hotel. It has been built around the regenerated docklands and today is a vibrant hub of the city's arts, leisure and sports scenes. The easiest way to get to the 'Quays' is on a tram from the city centre.

Pier 8
The Lowry
Salford Quays
United Kingdom
Tel: 0843 208 6000.
Web: www.thelowry.com
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 1100-1700; Sat 1000-1700 (main galleries only).
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes