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.
Discover 400 years of Warwick’s great history
Explore the wonders of a Jacobean mansion, and learn about the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers.
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire
Explore the magnificent ruins of Kirkstall Abbey
This atmospheric 12th-century abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian monasteries in Britain, surrounded by tranquil tree-filled parkland.
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire
Rainy Day Activities: Beware the animal mummies at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
From Egyptian relics and biplanes, to works of art and stuffed deer, there’s something to excite everyone at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
Location: Bristol
See aviation history come alive at RAF Manston
Manston, Kent is home to not one but two museums dedicated to aviation history and one of the few remaining wartime Spitfires
Location: Manston, near Ramsgate, Kent
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
Follow Sussex’s Coastal Culture Trail
Discover contemporary art at three leading coastal galleries, all linked by a scenic and historic cycle route though Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne.
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex
Rainy Day Activities: Discover Bath’s 13 marvellous museums
Discover the incredible and diverse collection of museums, galleries and exhibitions, all within a short stroll of one another, on a rainy day in Bath.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Rainy Day Activities: Get interactive on a family trip to Eureka!
Eureka! in Halifax is an indoor attraction that inspires children to learn all about the world around them by playing, imagining, experimenting and having fun.
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Rainy Day Activities: Hop from gallery to shop at the Salts Mill
Found near Bradford, the Yorkshire Salts Mill is an indoor hive of art galleries and indie shops, set within the culturally rich World Heritage Site of Saltaire.
Location: Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Delve into Durham’s historic treasure troves
Step back in time and admire world-class art at captivating castles and manor houses across the county.
Location: Vale of Durham / Durham Dales
Visit world-renowned artefacts on a budget break in Birmingham
Being on a budget break in Birmingham isn't a problem at all as there’s so much to see and do for free.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Have a close encounter with Daleks and medieval peasants in Essex
Choose to travel back in time to medieval England in 1066, the toys of your childhood or even WWII (though chances are you’ll want to do all three).
Location: Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
Enjoy a Brighton budget break with free attractions and more
It’s easy to enjoy a cheap weekend break in Brighton and Hove, with cheap hostel accommodation and plenty of low cost museums and art galleries.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Explore the nooks and crannies of Norwich’s artistic spaces
Norwich is full of cultural activities, with many arts venues found in surprising places, some amongst its most beautiful gardens and public spaces.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
A Georgian Mansion full of extraordinary stories and objects
Delve into a historic gem in Peterborough where you can explore a lost prehistoric world populated by sea monsters …
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Birmingham's Bullring, books and boutiques
Enjoy contemporary architectural and cultural gems as well as its shopping and nightlife.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Discover Salcombe’s rich maritime and WWII history
From its rich maritime and wartime history to Otto Overbeck’s ‘electrical rejuvenator’, Salcombe is filled with historic gems.
Location: Salcombe, Devon
