Ordsall Hall
Ordsall
A Tudor manor house with gardens, family trails and seasonal activities.
New places. Happy faces.
Places that are possibly worth going to in Manchester or nearby.
16 places
The Whitworth
Oxford Road
Art, textiles and changing exhibitions on Oxford Road.
IWM North
Trafford Wharf
Explore how war affects people’s lives. Check family guidance for the themes and displays before visiting.
Manchester Museum
Oxford Road
Collections spanning nature, cultures and history, with family activities throughout the year.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
Ardwick
Explore the home and garden of the Victorian writer, with family visits and seasonal activities.
Victoria Baths
Chorlton-on-Medlock
Colourful tiles, stained glass and an extraordinary old swimming-baths building. Plan around a public open day or family event; this is a heritage visit, not a daily swimming pool.
People’s History Museum
Spinningfields
Stories of democracy and the people who worked towards a fairer world.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
Salford
Explore art and local history, then wander the recreated Victorian street at Lark Hill Place.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Northern Quarter
Independent makers, studios and shops in the Northern Quarter.
Manchester Jewish Museum
Cheetham Hill
Stories, objects and a restored historic synagogue, with a changing programme of creative activities. Family workshops can be a good way for younger visitors to explore.
Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
Cheetham Hill
A depot of vintage buses and transport treasures, with plenty of big wheels to inspect. Look out for special running days when historic vehicles take to the road.
Hat Works
Stockport
A wonderfully specific museum about hats, headwear and the people who made them. Explore the collections and look for family activities in the programme.
Staircase House
Stockport
An old timber-framed house hiding beside Stockport’s market. Explore its rooms and unusual staircase, with family activities offered on selected dates.
Bramall Hall
Bramhall
A black-and-white Tudor manor with intriguing rooms, surrounded by parkland. Pair a booked house visit with a walk and time outdoors.
Portland Basin Museum
Ashton-under-Lyne
Step into a recreated 1920s street and discover local working life inside a canal warehouse. Add a short canalside wander for a change of pace.
Fireground
Rochdale
A former fire station full of firefighting history, engines and equipment. A good detour for children fascinated by rescue vehicles; check the museum’s opening days before travelling.