by Sapphire Magpie Ravenclaw

Created on: September 21, 2011   Last Updated: September 22, 2011

Looking for things to do might sound easy but, when it comes to finding free days out, it can be much harder. Here are a few ideas for free things to do in Manchester, England.

First of all, for anyone with a bicycle, Manchester has a good cycle lane network. There are a number of individual networks throughout the city as well as support networks for other routes including the Trans Pennine Trail.

For those interested in art and fashion, there is the Gallery of Costume which has recently opened up to the public after a £1 million facelift. It shows costumes from 17th century up to the present day. Manchester Art Gallery is famous for pre-Raphaelite paintings but also displays many other collections which include both permanent galleries of historic and modern art as well as other specialist exhibitions.

There are also a number of other sites in Manchester which are free to visit, many of them being of historical interest. These include libraries, museums, parks and  the Town Hall.

The Town Hall is a Victorian building designed in a Gothic style, perhaps one of Manchester’s finest creations. It houses murals by pre-Raphaelite artist Ford Madox Brown. Visitors can take their time to admire these as well as the Great Hall ceiling and other things to discover. While the Town Hall is free to enter, a tour may be booked at a small charge.

The Museum of Science and Industry is another free attraction in Manchester. This museum is ideal for people of any age, with children or not. It is a showcase of Manchester’s scientific and industrial development. The building itself is of scientific and historical interest as the museum is housed within five listed buildings on the site of the word’s oldest surviving passenger railway. Within the museum, there is a 4D theatre, a Victorian Sewer, Textiles Gallery, Air and Space Hall and much more. There really is something for everyone here. While the museum is free to enter, if travelling by car, bear in mind that there is a charge to use the car park.

Next to the Science Museum, there is Castleford Urban Heritage Park. This park displays a reconstructed Roman fort as well the first industrial canal. The area has been developed from a working industrial site into an attraction of beauty and variety.

For more history and architecture, there is Manchester Cathedral. This building is small but holds a much to be discovered including medieval woodwork and the Saxon “Angel Stone”. The cathedral also holds events and exhibitions.

For more information about these and other attractions in Manchester, please take a look here. For more information about Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, please take a look here to visit their own website.

Learn more about this author, Sapphire Magpie Ravenclaw.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.