Free Museums in Manchester City Centre and Greater Manchester
If you are here to find out what are the best free museums in Manchester. You are in the right place. Although there are some you have to pay for there are plenty of fun and free museums in Manchester city centre and Greater Manchester. If you are searching for free things to do in Manchester this weekend or free attractions in Manchester – this list will have you covered. You can have a fun but cheap day out in Manchester from science to art, to history to football – Manchester has it all.
We believe the range of free museums on offer in the city showcases the incredible diversity and rich history of Manchester. The museums are educational, inspirational, and you could spend a long time visiting each one and feeling enriched on the journey. If you have 24 hours in Manchester or 24 days, you should make time to discover at least one of these incredible free museums in Manchester.
Free Museums in Manchester Map
9 Amazing Free Museums in Manchester City Centre
If you are looking for free or cheap things to do in Manchester City Centre, visit the museums. Whether you are looking for free things to do in Manchester with kids, or you are curious about Manchester’s past and people, there is no denying that this list will keep you entertained. Many of these museums are also well-known Manchester landmarks, so you can admire them from the outside too.
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is a family-friendly museum with 250 years worth of innovations that changed the world. It aims to inspire its visitors by bringing science to life. You can learn about the Industrial Revolution, the first computers, historical buildings, and see the oldest surviving passenger railway station – there is something for everyone.
Remember to cross the road and visit the Air and Space Hall in the former Lower Campfield Market. Look out for the 1912 Ford Model T built-in H. Ford’s first factory in Trafford.
Opening hours: 10.00–17.00, Wednesday – Sunday.
Location: Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP
The Manchester Museum
The Manchester Museum is part of the University of Manchester and is home to over four million objects. Learn about Darwin and Turing, and also discover remarkable exhibitions of mummies from Ancient Greece and dinosaur skeletons
. There are exhibitions over four floors, and there are special exhibitions throughout the year. In 1821 it was founded as a natural history museum and today is one of the best free museums in Manchester. The museum, which has a history of more than 130 years, has undergone a recent transformation and has reopened in February 2023!
Opening Hours:
Tuesday 10am-5pm
Wednesday 10am-9pm
Thursday 10am-5pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 8am-5pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Location: Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery houses over 2,000 oil paintings and is well known for its collections from British artists and its historical collections. It aims to inspire its visitors to use art as a means for social change and is for the people of Manchester to inspire creativity in their lives. It is open for everyone and wants people to visit to spark a love in art, no matter their background.
Opening Hours: 11.00–16.00, Wednesday – Sunday.
Location: Mosley Street, M2 3JL
People’s History Museum
If you are searching for an inspirational museum, this should be the one you choose to visit. It aims to inform and educate on pressing issues throughout British histories such as equality and social justice. It opened in 2010 and today is a popular space for people who want to learn and fight for a more just society.
Opening Hours: 10.00–17.00, Tuesday – Sunday.
Location: Spinningfields, M3 3ER
Greater Manchester Police Museum
The Greater Manchester Police Museum was founded in 1981 and preserves material and objects about policing in Greater Manchester. We love this free museum in Manchester because you can talk to the staff and learn about how policing has evolved in the community. It is also an 1879 Police Station, which has original cells and an 1895 Magistrate Court. They have official and personal records – which is a great resource to learn about the history of policing in Manchester.
Opening Hours: 10.30–15.30 Tuesday – Thursday. (Tuesday for drop-ins and pre-booked appointments Wednesday and Thursday).
Location: 57A Newton Street, M1 1ET
The Pankhurst Centre
The Pankhurst Centre is where Emmeline Pankhurst lived from 1898 to 1907. It is the site where the first meeting of the suffragettes took place and is a museum devoted to telling the story of women’s fight for the vote. Today the museum allows its visitors to fight for justice. You will leave more aware of the world around you.
Opening Hours: 10.00–16.00 Thursday, 13.00–16.00 Every 2nd & 4th Sunday
Location: 62 Nelson Street, M13 9WP
The John Rylands Institute and Library
The John Rylands Library may not be considered a museum by some, but it is a jewel of Victorian and Gothic architecture. It houses the oldest known piece of the New Testament – The St John Fragment. It also houses the 1476 edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales – which is a part of history. The library is also a beautiful, magnificent sight that many people liken to a Cathedral for its grandeur.
Opening Hours: 12.00–17.00, Sunday – Monday, 10.00–17.00 Tuesday – Saturday.
Location: 150 Deansgate, M3 3EH
The National Football Museum
DISCLAIMER: this museum is free for Manchester residents living in selective postcodes. Many travel sites claim this is a free museum, but it is not for everyone, so if you are local check, if you are eligible, and if not, you will have to pay the entrance fee. An adult ticket is £11, and a child is £6 (50p cheaper for both if you book online).
The National Football Museum is a place for all football lovers because it is full of stories about the sport and houses many objects, such as FA Cup silverware. It tells the story of football and how it has shaped the lives of many people. Expect to see trophies, shirts, and photos to fall in love with the game time and time again.
Opening Hours: 10.00–17.00, Monday – Sunday.
Location: Urbis Building, M4 3BG
Classic Football Shirts
Ok, so this is not an official museum – it is a shop (we know, we know). However, the Classic Football Shirts shop sells vintage football shirts from teams from all over Europe, including Italy, Spain, Germany, you name it. We included this in this guide because you can find some of the biggest names in football shirts hung around the shop. For a football fan, this is an opportunity to see first-hand football legends or even buy one of the retro and rare shirts.
Opening Times: 10.00–18.00, Monday – Sunday.
Location: Barton Arcade, M3 2BH
13 Great Greater Manchester Free Museums
So, you have visited all the free museums in Manchester City Centre, and you are wondering what is beyond in Greater Manchester? These free attractions in Manchester are worth a visit for a fun and cheap day out in Manchester.
Imperial War Museum North
The IWM North is a short tram ride from Manchester City Centre and is a world-class museum focusing on the impact that conflict has had on our lives. The museum is powerful and has over 2,000 objects that help its visitors learn and change their perspectives. It is a fun and educational day out, and one of the highlights is the 360-degree show that takes over the museum, where the guests stop, watch and reflect on the powerful stories about conflict and its effects.
Opening Times: 10.00–16.00, Monday – Sunday.
Location: The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, M17 1TZ
The Lowry
The Lowry is a gallery and performance centre located a short tram ride from Manchester City Centre in Media City. The entry to the art galleries is free, and the highlight is the ever-changing exhibitions from LS Lowry – a loved British artist. Also, it showcases international and national artists, and it is a family favourite for a fun and cheap day out in Manchester.
Opening Times: 10.00–18.00, Monday – Sunday.
Location: Pier 8, The Quays, M50 3AZ
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
The Salford Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1850 as the UK’s first free public library and then later that same year became a museum and art gallery. The building of the museum is named Lark Hill, and in the museum, you will find a Victorian Street named after it. The museum houses informative displays, some permanent and others changing to help people learn about the past in a fun and exciting way.
Opening Times: 11.30–16.00, Tuesday – Sunday.
Location: Peel Park, The Crescent, M5 4WU
Ordsall Hall
Ordsall Hall is a historic house that was first used in 1177 and is free for the public to visit. It has had many uses over the years, and today you can learn about the people who used to live there. They have sculptures in the gardens, dressing up, and food from the 1500s. Ordsall Hall has many events throughout the year, so ensure you visit their website for what is on – especially in the school holidays.
Opening Times: 10.00–16.00, Monday – Thursday, 12.00–16.00, Sunday.
Location: 332 Ordsall lane, M5 3AN
The Whitworth Art Gallery
The Whitworth Art Gallery is incredible, containing 60,000 items that are part of the University of Manchester. To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you should visit this museum. It is a calming environment, where you can see a range of exhibitions with historical art pieces and textiles. It is one of the best free museums in Manchester.
Opening Times: 11.00–16.00, Wednesday – Sunday
Location: Oxford Road, M15 6ER
Museum of Hatting – Hat Works
The Museum of Hatting will give you a taste of Stockport’s once-booming hat industry. The museum is set over two floors and includes interactive exhibits, including a hatting factory floor with Victorian-style machines. There are also over 400 hats, so if you fancy something different, this free museum in Manchester is for you.
Opening Times: 11.00–16.00, Wednesday – Sunday
Location: Stockport, SK3 0EU
Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester
The MOTGM showcases Greater Manchester’s important role in the development of transport from the Industrial Revolution. You can learn about how Manchester was home to the first purpose-built canal and the first bus service in the UK. Also, you will see the development from the horse bus to a Metrolink tram.
Opening Times: 11.00–16.00, Wednesday – Sunday
Location: Boyle Street, Cheetham, M8 8UW
Rochdale Pioneers Museum
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is another fascinating and free museum in Manchester. In 1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened its doors selling food at fair prices. It started a revolution in retail, and today you can learn about how people used to shop. Therefore, the museum is a learning experience for everyone. From advertising, retailing, and packaging, and should be visited by all to understand the past.
Opening Times: 10.30–16.00, Wednesday – Saturday
Location: 31 Toad Lane, OL12 0NU
Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
The Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum explores the history of firefighting in the Manchester region. Did you know that in 1826 Manchester formed England’s first municipal fire service? Over the years, firefighters have dealt with a range of incidents, and you can learn about them, as well as vital historical moments in history on a visit to the 1930s Rochdale Fire Station.
Opening Times: 10.00–16.00, Friday, 10.00–16.00, the first Sunday of every month.
Location: Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN
Saddleworth Museum
Saddleworth Museum is a community museum in Uppermill and is beside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It is a family-friendly museum that showcases the beauty and the people of Saddleworth. One of the best attractions is the Textile Gallery that shows the weaving process on working machinery. It is one of the best free museums in Manchester because you can also walk around the gorgeous village of Uppermill and grab a coffee and a treat at one of their independent shops.
Opening Times: 11.00–16.00, Monday – Saturday
Location: Uppermill, OL3 6HS
Clayton Hall Living History Museum
Clayton Hall Living History Museum is the place to learn about life in the Victorian era. It is a Grade II Listed building that has links to the famous poet Lord Byron. There are opportunities to dress up in costume or take part in one of their events. Check their website for any coming up!
Opening Times: 11.00–16.00 third Saturday of the month.
Location: Clayton Hall Road, M11 4RU
Portland Basin Museum
The Portland Basin Museum is an exciting free museum in Manchester, where you can learn about the industrial activity and how it shaped Tameside over the past 200 years. You will be able to find a replica street with houses, a schoolroom, a chapel, and a pub, as well as an insight into other local industries. Step into the past and see what life was like once.
Opening Times: 10.00–16.00, Tuesday – Sunday.
Location: Ashton- Under- Lyne, OL7 0QA
Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
The Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre is one of the best free museums in Manchester. It houses international and local art to enrich lives with creativity. There is something for everyone at the museum, including those looking to learn about Bury’s history or those who want to follow the Irwell Sculpture Trail.
Opening Times: 10.00–17.00, Tuesday – Friday, 10.00–16.30, Saturday
Location: Manchester Road, Bury, BL9 0DR
We hope this list answers your question about what I should visit in Manchester UK? These free museums are great ideas for cheap days out in Manchester. This list goes to show that there are many places to visit in Manchester for free, so you do not need to break the bank on your next trip!
Looking for free activities nearby? Read our guides to:
Photo Credit: averagelives.com
The John Rylands Library is one of my favourite spots in Manchester and I love that it’s free. I’ll have to check out some of these other museums too!