IWM North
IWM North things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Such a good day out. Decided to pay a visit to the IWM during February half term. The museum is situated on Salford Quays and next to MediaCityUK. . Firstly, let's talk about practical stuff. The museum is easy to access by both road and public transport and it has its own NCP carpark onsite next to the museum. The carpark is pretty reasonable for Manchester/Salford with parking starting at £5 for 4 hours. Please be aware. If you park for 1 hour or 4 the price is still £5. Secondly, the payment machine at this carpark is card only but you can pay retrospectively online if you prefer. Alternatively there are plenty of alternatives close by including the MediaCityUK multistorey and the Quayside (former Lowry Outlet) multistorey. If you are using public transport the metrolink is a good option with stations close by and onsite. . The museum itself is totally free of charge to enter and you can reserve timeslots online in advance. We did this, however I think you would be fine to just 'walk up' as the venue is very large with a big capacity. . The museum itself tells the history of war beginning just prior to WW1 through to present day. The exhibits work on a timeline that is mapped out in a circuit around the venue. In addition within the centre of the venue are a range of additional exhibits focusing on a specific topic. Every hour an immersive film is played that is incredibly well produced and projected throughout the walls of the main space. These films were really interesting and I really enjoyed the poems. The entire exhibition is located on one floor, and accessibility is really good. . The museum also has a gift shop onsite and a really good cafe. The coffees and cakes were very reasonably priced and super tasty. The coffee was real coffee. . In summary, it's a great place to visit and perfect for children. However, it is better suited to children who are a little older. My youngest is 8 and whilst she liked the museum the vast amounts of reading would be too much for children who are under 7. However, all said this is a moving museum that's a must visit in the North West.
Greg “Wigan Wanderers” KnightGreg “Wigan Wanderers” Knight
20
Like all museums here, this one was free. The volunteer at the entrance did try to pressure us into donating which was in poor taste. Though it is for a good cause. So, if you can afford to please do donate. War is a terrible thing, and this place does a good job of reminding you why that is (if only we could be as creative in solving world problems as we have been designing these weapons of war). Some notable exhibits, worth popping round to see: The Ukraine War social commentary, using iconic photography, is a sobering reminder that we have so much further to evolve as a species. The mangled steel framework from the Trade Centre tradegy on 9,11 was humbling to be in front of. The world war equipment and info panels are thoughtfully exhibited throughout. Though, as a person of colour, I did find it quite sad to note that the contributions of non-whites during the war were relegated to a side corridor. Perhaps a marked reflection of wartime sentiments. Other than that, the museum is a worthwhile stop on a Manchester tour. Use the parking (£5 for 4 hours), if you are driving, as a base from which to access the River Cruise, Television Centre, the Lowry Theatre, and the Lowry Mall (great bargain shopping). The river cruise is £10 pp and leaves every hour. The theatre is a tour de force in the Manchester Arts Scene and Pier 8 has some lovely pubs and restaurants (The Alchemist, is my favourite). Have a great time out and about.
Clay JohnsonClay Johnson
10
I had pretty high expectations, especially when you see the building from a distance. Externally it's visually impressive. The entrance was small, with very nice security staff. They were friendly and exemplary. Once inside, you find the café, fairly standard, and overpriced with friendly staff. Toilets were well maintained. They had a large gift area but I didn't look it over. This all took up most of the visible ground floor space. Now, the building looks great from the outside, but this doesn't lead to a useful interior space. Style over substance leaves some very high ceilings that don't really offer anything and the floor plan isn't the most straightforward. The exhibits are good but not amazing. It felt lacking. You could listen to audio (although some of the headphones were broken) and interact with a few things. Inside it's all very dark and sombre, but I did hear an elderly couple commenting that it made it harder for them to navigate and I'd definitely concur with that. All in all, I found it worth looking round, but not worth a specific journey to visit. If you're already in the area, great. If not, don't bother. Once again, very impressed with how nice the security staff were there.
Simon McCabeSimon McCabe
00
As a former HM Forces soldier I was very disappointed by this museum. A tribute to the Forces in Northern Ireland where I served 4 years and a huge tribute to the men and women who served in the 2 world wars. Both amazing however to my amazement there was very little time effort display area or information given to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that I was also involved in. This is part of our country and military history so why has it been left out The car park is a nightmare...pay on exit or rather than queue at the one and only pay station you can pay on line within 24 hours of leaving which is on the bottom line of the info board inside the pay station Free entry but donations are asked for and I believe expected I now have to visit the London one to compare
Paul CookePaul Cooke
00
This fantastic museum is situated on the Salford Quays a short walk across the bridge from the Lowry. Free entry makes it a winner if you're on a budget and the experience is worth your time. As you walk in you'll notice the metal lined curves of the wall reassembling wartime aircraft and the huge main hall itself offers a really immersive experience as projections of images and film play a main part in the exhibition. There are many artefacts of war from WW1 to more recent conflicts including those sparked by 9/11. I took my older kids amd saw many younger ones there enjoying the spaces created but it's not a place for kids younger that 8. Adults need to be prepared to read to and lead their kids. Good cafe downstairs and a gift shop...that's pricey though.
KELLY HENDERSONKELLY HENDERSON
10
Thoughtful museum about warfare, with a clear explanation of the two world wars and many other conflicts too. The floor space is large and the exhibits are spaced out carefully so you never feel confined. There is a smart café and a specialist shop as part of the package and entry to the museum is free. There is a reasonably priced NCP car park at the site and easy access from the Metrolink tram service which stops right outside. I’ve only awarded 4 stars because the immersive show which takes over the museum space at regular intervals was disappointingly weak compared to the impact of some of the shows I have seen at the museum (it was about animals in warfare), especially given that the vast majority of people in the museum were adults and teenagers.
Jeremy AtkinsonJeremy Atkinson
00
Nearby Attractions Of IWM North
The Quays
Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour
The Lowry
MediaCityUK
Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
O2 Victoria Warehouse
Cadbury
Blue Peter Garden
Media City Footbridge
East Stand
The Quays
4.5
(4.7K)Click for details
Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour
4.7
(3K)Click for details
The Lowry
4.6
(3K)Click for details
MediaCityUK
4.6
(1.3K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of IWM North
Manchester United
Reflexion Lounge Manchester Shisha
Turtle Bay Salford Quays
Matchstick Man
Harvester Quayside Mediacityuk
The Alchemist MediaCityUK
The Dockyard
Quay House Beefeater
Nando's Salford Quays
Bella Italia - Salford Quays
Manchester United
4.6
(2.7K)Click for details
Reflexion Lounge Manchester Shisha
4.6
(1.8K)Click for details
Turtle Bay Salford Quays
4.8
(1.7K)Click for details
Matchstick Man
4.1
(1.9K)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Trafford Wharf Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1TZ, United Kingdom
Map
Phone
+44 161 836 4000
Call
Website
iwm.org.uk
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Reviews
Overview
4.5
(3.3K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
accessibility
family friendly
Description
Imperial War Museum North is a museum in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, England. One of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, it explores the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. It is the first branch of the Imperial War Museum to be located in the north of England.
attractions: The Quays, Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Lowry, MediaCityUK, Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, O2 Victoria Warehouse, Cadbury, Blue Peter Garden, Media City Footbridge, East Stand, restaurants: Manchester United, Reflexion Lounge Manchester Shisha, Turtle Bay Salford Quays, Matchstick Man, Harvester Quayside Mediacityuk, The Alchemist MediaCityUK, The Dockyard, Quay House Beefeater, Nando's Salford Quays, Bella Italia - Salford Quays
