Inside a historic rail terminal, the Science and Industry Museum is Manchester’s best free attraction. Go for the Textiles Gallery and Revolution Manchester sections first.
Free things to do in Manchester
There are several free attractions in Manchester, including the Manchester Museum, the People’s History Museum, the John Rylands Library and the Whitworth Art Gallery.
But I’d argue the best free attraction in Manchester is the Science and Industry Museum. And, if not the best, then it’s certainly the attraction that has the highest potential for filling an entire afternoon.
Where is the Science and Industry Museum?
Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum is spread over a series of heritage buildings in the Castlefield neighbourhood of the city. It is on the site of the world’s first railway warehouse and the former Liverpool Road railway station – the terminus of the world’s first inter-city passenger railway.
Being spread over such a large site means there’s a vast amount to see.
Science and Industry Museum opening hours
The Science and Industry Museum is open from 10am to 5pm every day, and although entrance is free, it’s advisable to book tickets in advance.
Once inside, unless planning to spend a whole day looking at everything, you’re going to need to prioritise what you see.
What to see first at Manchester’s Science and industry Museum
Some of the permanent galleries at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum are more interesting than others. The Experiment section is great for kids – it’s hands-on and allows them to learn about science through interactivity. However, it is the sort of thing you’ll find in pretty much any science museum around the world.
You’re better off prioritising the Textiles Gallery and Revolution Manchester sections if you want something less generic.
The Textiles Gallery and Revolution Manchester
The Textiles Gallery in the Science and Industry Museum looks at how Manchester became the centre of the world cotton trade. Parts of it look at the mills that sprang up in Manchester’s surrounding towns, while others focus on the slaves who were working in the American cotton fields.
The most important exhibit is an original of Richard Arkwright’s water frame – the machine that made the mass production of cotton yarn possible for the first time.
Arkwright’s water frame kicked off the Industrial Revolution, which is the subject of the Science and Industry Museum’s Revolution Manchester section. There’s a particular focus on inventions and innovations from Manchester, whether Rolls Royce cars or the Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine. The latter is the ancestor of all modern computers and Baby, a working replica, is on display.
More Manchester travel ideas
Things to do in Manchester include a Manchester City stadium tour, a river cruise with commentary and a walking tour around the city’s highlights.
Other Manchester articles on Planet Whitley include:
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