Photo of Manchester Museum in North West1 / 3
Museums

Manchester Museum

πŸ“ Manchester, North West

β˜…4.7(10,259 Google reviews)πŸ’°FreeπŸ‘ΆAll ages

Award-winning university museum with free permanent galleries covering Stan the T. rex, Egyptian and Sudanese collections, South Asia Gallery, and The Vivarium with live animals. Special exhibitions are free and require advance booking.

βœ“ Free entryβœ“ Stan the T. rexβœ“ Egyptian mummiesβœ“ Live animalsβœ“ Educationalβœ“ Award-winning
β€œ
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Stephen

Had a great time visiting here today. Was free but booked the triceratops exhibition in advance. I recommended leaving a donation if you can afford it though. Egyptian room was excellent, lots of dinosaurs as well. Lot of exhibits on multiple topics. The South Asia gallery was interesting and thought provoking as well. I spent three hours there but I read everything πŸ˜€

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Best for families with children who engage with natural history and ancient civilisations β€” the dinosaur galleries and Egyptian mummies are the most reliably captivating sections for school-age children. The Vivarium adds a live animal element that younger visitors respond to strongly. Budget at least two hours for a thorough visit.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Book special exhibition tickets in advance even and they're free β€” timed entry fills up
⏰Plan at least two hours to cover the main permanent galleries properly
🎟️Leave a donation at exit if you can β€” the museum is free and donation-funded
πŸš—The museum shop is reasonably priced compared to most museum shops

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.7
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

10,259 Google reviews

Excellent dinosaur and fossil exhibits40%
Free admission with varied collections30%
Egyptian and cultural galleries20%
Some sections less well-resourced10%
S

Stephen

2 months ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œHad a great time visiting here today. Was free but booked the triceratops exhibition in advance. I recommended leaving a donation if you can afford it though. Egyptian room was excellent, lots of dinosaurs as well. Lot of exhibits on multiple topics. The South Asia gallery was interesting and thought provoking as well. I spent three hours there but I read everything πŸ˜€β€

M

Mumma And her 3 explorers

a month ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œWe visited Manchester for the weekend and managed to squeeze in a trip to the museum. It’s a great space, thoughtfully divided into three main sections, which made exploring really enjoyable. However, I did feel that the African section seemed to lack resources or materials compared to the others β€” though it’s possible I may have missed something. Overall, it was still a worthwhile visit.”

F

Fragrance White

a month ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œI had a fantastic visit to Manchester Museum! It’s an incredible place for anyone who loves history, culture, and science. The museum has such a wide variety of exhibits β€” from fascinating ancient Egyptian artifacts to natural history displays and beautifully curated cultural collections. The dinosaur skeletons and wildlife exhibits were especially impressive and well-presented. Everything is thoughtfully organized, making it easy to explore at your own pace. The atmosphere is welcoming, educational, and perfect for families, students, or even solo visitors. I also appreciated how informative and engaging the displays were β€” you can really learn something new in every section. The building itself is beautiful and adds to the overall experience. If you’re visiting Manchester, this museum is definitely worth your time. A truly enriching and enjoyable experience!”

P

Pete Sims

4 months ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œGreat place to visit for a couple of hours. Went mainly to see the triceratops skull which is on display until February and it was well worth seeing! Plenty of things to see including other dinosaurs and fossils. Egyptian mummies and other artefacts too. Free to enter but need to book tickets for triceratops- still free though. Donations are of course welcome.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

Manchester Museum houses Stan, one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found, alongside extensive Egyptian and Sudanese artifact collections, a South Asia Gallery, and The Vivarium featuring live reptiles and amphibians. Regular workshops including Clay Play run for families. The main Exhibition Hall rotates special displays β€” all free and advance booking required for timed entry. Museum shop is reasonably priced. Parking available nearby.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday10:00 – 17:00
Thursday10:00 – 21:00
Friday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday08:00 – 17:00

πŸ“ Other Museums in Manchester

View all β†’

πŸ“ Similar Activities Nearby

View more in North West β†’