The best museums in Manchester in September 2025

These are the top 20 best museums in Manchester, England, ranked by their rating and popularity in 2025. Click a museum for more information about the museum, including visitor information, exhibitions and reviews.

For a complete overview of museums in Manchester, their exhibitions and discount cards & passes, see our overview page with all museums in Manchester.

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Looking for the best museums in Manchester? These are the best ones:

  1. Old Trafford1

    Old Trafford

     Manchester
  2. Museum of Science and Industry2

    Museum of Science and Industry

     Manchester
    The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is a significant institution that traces the development of science, technology, and industry, with a particular focus on the city's contributions in these areas. The museum is a testament to Manchester's rich industrial and scientific history, offering visitors a chance to explore and understand the city's significant role in these fields.
  3. RHS Garden Bridgewater3

    RHS Garden Bridgewater

     Manchester
    RHS Garden Bridgewater is a significant addition to the Royal Horticultural Society's public display gardens. It is situated in the charming village of Worsley, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the beauty of the English countryside while enjoying the meticulously designed garden spaces.
  4. The Manchester City F.C Museum and Stadium Tour4

    The Manchester City F.C Museum and Stadium Tour

     Manchester
    The Manchester City F.C Museum and Stadium Tour is a museum in Manchester. The museum features exhibits related to: personalities, sport and social history. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: history of manchester city football club.
  5. National Football Museum5

    National Football Museum

     Manchester
    In 2010, Urbis closed its doors for a significant transformation. Two years later, in 2012, it reopened as the National Football Museum. This change marked a new chapter in the building's history, shifting its focus from urban life and culture to the world of football.
  6. Manchester Museum6

    Manchester Museum

     Manchester
    The Manchester Museum, located within the University of Manchester, is a renowned institution that houses archaeological, anthropological, and natural history exhibits. It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore various aspects of human history, culture, and the natural world in one place.
  7. Manchester Art Gallery7

    Manchester Art Gallery

     Manchester
    Manchester Art Gallery, previously known as Manchester City Art Gallery, is a public art gallery situated on Mosley Street in Manchester, England. This gallery is a significant cultural landmark in the city, offering visitors a chance to explore a diverse collection of local and international art.
  8. People's History Museum8

    People's History Museum

     Manchester
    The People's History Museum, located in Manchester, England, serves as the United Kingdom's national hub for the collection, preservation, interpretation, and study of materials related to the history of the working class in the UK. The museum is housed in a Grade II listed former hydraulic pumping station, a testament to the city's industrial past. The museum's collections offer a comprehensive look into the lives, struggles, and achievements of the working class over the past two centuries.
  9. Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives9

    Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives

     Manchester
    The Greater Manchester Police Museum, located in England, is a unique establishment that was once a functioning police station. Today, it serves as a museum and archives, providing a detailed account of the history of policing in Greater Manchester. This transformation from a police station to a museum offers a unique perspective on the evolution of law enforcement in the region.
  10. Whitworth Art Gallery10

    Whitworth Art Gallery

     Manchester
    The Whitworth Art Gallery, located in Manchester, England, boasts an impressive collection of over 60,000 items. This extensive collection offers visitors a wide range of art to explore, from historic pieces to contemporary works. The gallery is a significant cultural institution in Manchester, providing a rich and diverse experience for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
  11. Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester11

    Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester

     Cheetham Hill
    The Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester, is a significant landmark in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester. Established in 1977, the museum has been a cornerstone of the city's cultural and historical landscape for over four decades. It is a place where visitors can explore the rich public transport heritage of Greater Manchester and the North West of England.
  12. Victoria Baths12

    Victoria Baths

     Manchester
    Victoria Baths is a museum in Manchester. The museum features exhibits related to Architecture, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Archives, Sport, Social History, Film and Media, Music and Performing Arts.
  13. 13

    SEA LIFE Manchester

     Manchester
  14. Manchester Jewish Museum14

    Manchester Jewish Museum

     Manchester
    The Manchester Jewish Museum is a significant historical site located at 190 Cheetham Hill Road in Manchester, England. This museum is dedicated to Jewish history and culture, providing a comprehensive insight into the Jewish community's rich heritage in Manchester and beyond.
  15. Elizabeth Gaskell's House15

    Elizabeth Gaskell's House

     Manchester
    Elizabeth Gaskell's House, located at 84 Plymouth Grove, is a writer's house museum in Manchester, England. This Grade II listed neoclassical villa served as the residence of renowned authors William and Elizabeth Gaskell from 1850 until their deaths in 1884 and 1865 respectively. The house offers a unique insight into the lives of the Gaskells and the Victorian era in which they lived.
  16. Gallery of Costume16

    Gallery of Costume

     Manchester
    Gallery of Costume is a museum in Manchester. The museum features exhibits related to: costume and textiles and social history. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: current displays include quant to westwood: fashion since the sixties; living colour: textiles and embroideries from
  17. The Pankhurst Centre17

    The Pankhurst Centre

     Manchester
    The Pankhurst Centre, situated at 60–62 Nelson Street in Manchester, England, is comprised of two Victorian villas. Notably, Villa No. 62 was the residence of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Sylvia, Christabel, and Adela. This location is significant as it is the birthplace of the suffragette movement, which began in 1903.
  18. Heaton Hall18

    Heaton Hall

     Manchester
    Heaton Park, with an area ranging between 247 and 263 hectares, is not only the largest park in Greater Manchester but also in England. It is also one of the largest municipal parks in Europe. This vast expanse of greenery offers a refreshing escape from the urban hustle and bustle, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.
  19. 19

    The Spirit of Manchester Distillery

     Manchester
  20. 20

    esea contemporary

     Manchester
    esea contemporary, previously known as the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, is a modern art gallery situated in Manchester, England. The gallery is located on Thomas Street, in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, within the refurbished section of the Smithfield Market Hall. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique cultural experience for tourists interested in contemporary art, particularly of Chinese origin.

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