Museums, galleries and libraries
Immerse yourself in other worlds and cultures, become an expert for a day on the Egyptians or vintage aeroplanes, and stare amazed at art exhibitions the world comes to see. Museums and art galleries in England take you to faraway places. You get to peek into distant lives by travelling just a few footsteps. At the last count there were around 1,600 museums in England, catering to almost every interest you can imagine. Many of them are housed in buildings as impressive as the collections within.
Rainy Day Activities: Get hands on at the National Football Museum
Explore the world's largest football collection, learn about the history and culture of England's national sport and take part in other footy-related indoor activities at Manchester's National Football Museum.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Imperial War Museum North
Get an insight into the wars and conflicts that have shaped both England and the world at the Imperial War Museum North.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Take your pick from Liverpool’s rich cultural gems
Liverpool is a thriving capital of culture with museums and galleries for every taste, many of which are free to explore. Dip in and emerge inspired.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Rainy Day Activities: Explore Earth and space at Liverpool’s World Museum
Need ideas on things to do when it rains? Visit one of North West England’s oldest museums and get a hands-on look at our planet from the oceans to the stars.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Titanic & Liverpool: the untold story
Titanic & Liverpool: the untold story tells Titanic’s story from unique Liverpool perspectives, including Captain Smith and the 120 crew with Merseyside links.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Experience life in a WWI trench at the Lancashire Museum
Tens of thousands of proud Lancastrians perished in the Great War, whose experiences in the trenches are brought to life at the Museum of Lancashire in Preston.
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Celebrate Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire
From fabulous stained-glass windows in his father’s church to sumptuous Mad Hatter’s tea parties, delight in Cheshire’s Carroll connections.
Location: Daresbury, Cheshire
Be captivated by charming Port Sunlight village
Created as a perfect model village, Port Sunlight is the ideal destination for a day out. Relax in peaceful surroundings and see outstanding art.
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Discover England’s home of football in Manchester
Experience the history and drama of the nation’s favourite sport on a Manchester United Museum and Stadium tour, and at the National Football Museum.
Location: Trafford, Greater Manchester
Explore Lancashire’s rich industrial history
From the largest collection of Tiffany Glass in Europe to the world’s last surviving steam powered mill, Lancashire museums offer a riveting day out.
Location: Lancashire
Explore Liverpool’s buzzing waterfront
Be entertained, amused, informed, inspired – and well fed – in one of the city’s most lively and interesting quarters.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Visit poet William Wordsworth's most famous home
See where the author of ‘Daffodils’ was inspired to write most of his work and take a guided tour of Dove Cottage, his home.
Location: Grasmere, Cumbria