Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery

Here you’ll find everything from fine art to a Levi jeans chair. Manchester Art Gallery’s world class collection spans six centuries and contains over 25,000 items.

Famous for its impressive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, the gallery houses works by Hunt, Rosetti, Madox Brown and Burne-Jones among others. However, all periods are covered, including what’s happening now.

Manchester Art Gallery has loads of free family friendly events throughout the year, such as the monthly Saturday Art Club and special events related to the exhibitions and collections. See the events calendar on the website for up to date listings.

Families can grab a free family activity backpack, follow a trail around the gallery, or pick up an audioguide especially for families. Younger visitors will enjoy the storybags, containing games and stories related to the art works on display.

Regularly changing exhibitions, an award winning cafe and a gallery shop mean that you can pop in for 10 minutes, or spend a whole day there. You don’t have to like everything inside. And you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy a visit.

Manchester Art Gallery. Enjoy. Discover. Relax.

Opening Times

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays), 1 January, Good Friday, 24-26, 31 December.

Admission Prices

Entry is FREE

By rail:  
Manchester Oxford Road is the closest station, within easy walking distance. Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria Stations are also close - t
ake the Metrolink from Victoria or Piccadilly stations (Altrincham or Eccles direction) to Mosley Street or St Peter`s Square tram stops.

By metrolink: 
The nearest tram stops are St Peter`s Square or Mosley Street stations

By bus:
The nearest bus stops are at St Peter`s Square or Piccadilly Gardens

By car:
Manchester is ringed by the M60, linking to the UK`s extensive motorway network. Follow signs to the city centre. Car parking is available at the NCP car parks on Chepstow Street, Faulkner Street or Sackville Street. All are within five minutes` walk of the Gallery. The nearest disabled parking is on Nicholas Street or Princess Street, 50m from the main entrance. The coach drop-off point is at the groups` entrance on Princess Street.

  • Wheelchair Access
  • Baby Changing Facilities
  • Cafe
  • Food
  • Lift
  • Shop
  • Friendly Staff

Once you've arrived

Getting around
For buggies, there's a ramp leading to the main entrance on Mosley Street. There are lifts to all floors or you can leave your buggy in the ground floor cloakroom.

For more information about physical access to Manchester Art Gallery see the access page on their website.

Baby changing and toilets
There are baby change facilities on the ground floor in both men's and women's toilets next to the entrance hall.  There are also  accessible toilets in the ground floor atrium and on the first floor.

In the cafe
The gallery cafe is great for families. Food is served throughout the day (hot dishes between 11am and 3pm).

Manchester Art Gallery offers good value children's lunch boxes and half portions on the hot food menu. You can either buy baby food or bring your own and they'll heat it for you. If you spend £10 or more and you will be given a jar of baby food for free. High chairs are available.

In the shop
If you'd like to take home a souvenir of your visit there are lots of pocket money priced gifts in the gallery shop and a range of children's books.

For information on physical access click here.

Family backpacks

Free family backpacks are available for family groups with children aged 7 to 12.

Each backpack contains two different trails with six activities per trail.

Storybags

Free storybags are available for family groups with children aged 2 to 4.

There are four different character bags, each with a cushion to sit on, a story book and game or other activity relating to artworks on display.

Trails

You can follow trails around the gallery such as the three family trails or the Gallery of Craft and Design handling trail. Or take a guided tour. See our events calendar for more information about tours and other events.

Contact Details
Manchester Art Gallery
Mosley Street
Manchester
M2 3JL
Telephone: 0161 235 8888
Textphone: 0161 235 8893
Manchester Art Gallery