Books & architecture
John Rylands Library
Rare books, exhibition galleries and a remarkable reading room on Deansgate. A small escape from the city outside.
United Kingdom · A CITY TO GET OUT IN
Things to do
in Manchester.
Leave the usual route behind. From the reading rooms on Deansgate to the galleries along Oxford Road, Manchester makes a culture-filled day easy to put together.
01 / PICK YOUR KIND OF DAY
A little more Manchester.
Manchester · FREE DAYS
Four free cultural stops in Manchester
Start with Deansgate or Oxford Road. These collections offer free general entry, with different opening patterns that are worth checking before setting off.
Manchester · RAINY DAYS
Indoor things to do in Manchester
A library, a museum or a film can give a wet afternoon a purpose. Start in the centre for architecture and social history, or follow Oxford Road for collections and art.
02 / PLACES TO EXPLORE
Make a small plan.
Oxford Road and Spinningfields make useful starting points. Choose one part of the city for a short outing; save the other for another day.
Museums
Manchester Museum
Natural history and collections from across the world, on the university's Oxford Road campus.
Art & galleries
The Whitworth
An art gallery beside Whitworth Park. Build an afternoon around its exhibitions, then leave time for the park.
Museums
People's History Museum
A museum of democracy, protest and the people who shaped political life in Britain.
Film & performance
HOME
Cinema, theatre and visual art at First Street. Start with the programme and choose the kind of evening you want.
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Getting around Manchester
Oxford Road and Spinningfields make useful starting points. Choose one part of the city for a short outing; save the other for another day.
Plan your journey with Transport for Greater Manchester ↗