Get a friendly welcome at People's History Museum in Manchester, the national museum of democracy. Explore the museum and be empowered by the past to make a change for the future.
Follow the link below to plan your visit, and find out what to expect when you get to PHM.
Plan your visit
For group visits of over six people, follow the link below to fill in an enquiry form.
Booking is required to guarantee entry.
Group visits are not taken during our dedicated quiet time between 2.00pm and 5.00pm on Fridays.
Book your group visit
The museum is located on the corner of Left Bank and Bridge Street, opposite the Civil Justice Centre, alongside the River Irwell, in the Spinningfields area of Manchester city centre, postcode M3 3ER.
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Follow the link below for information on how to get to PHM.
Getting to PHM
The museum is Family Friendly throughout, from facilities to family favourites including hands-on interactives and activities connecting you and your family with PHM’s unique collections and stories.
Bring your buggies, refillable water bottles and expect a warm welcome, simple signage, accessible toilets, and plenty of picnic places.
The museum has a Quiet Room you can use during your visit and sensory tools can be borrowed from access stations throughout the museum.
Plan your family visit
We are committed to supporting all visitors during their time at PHM. We understand that everyone’s access needs are different.
Please talk to us if you have queries or require any assistance in advance of your visit on 0161 838 9190 or access@phm.org.uk.
For accessibility information check out our Detailed Access Guide on the AccessAble website.
Access at PHM
Explore PHM’s galleries, exhibitions, and hands-on and digital interactives engaging adults and children alike.
Use PHM’s visitor map to familiarise yourself with the museum building ahead of your visit.
Find out what's on
Take a break for brunch, lunch or an afternoon pick me up in PHM’s café Gather
Hot food served until 3.00pm.
For booking please call 01260 543977.
A picnic area is available for visitors bringing their own food and drink to the museum.
View menu
A unique gift shop in Manchester inspired by the museum’s collection, full of books, cards, homeware, souvenirs and great presents for kids and grown ups.
Shop the collection
Join other visitors and make a donation today, helping to ensure the museum remains free for all.
Support PHM
🖼️ In this piece from the Garners strike, 1978, curator Mark shares the story behind a powerful moment from On The Line: 100 Years of Strikes & Solidarity.
The image and poster reflect a time when migrant workers stood together against low pay and poor conditions in London’s catering industry
With the words `8 months on strike, no more waiting’ the rally call speaks to the urgency and determination of those involved ✊🏼
Though the strike ended without success, its impact helped shine a light on inequality at work and the importance of collective action.
📍 Explore the exhibition 6 days a week, *except Tuesdays! Free entry.
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #OnTheLine #WorkersRights #SocialHistory #ManchesterEvents
This simple object tells a powerful story of solidarity, resilience and collective action
A red plastic bucket marked ‘SUPPORT AMBULANCE STAFF’ sits beside a makeshift strike shelter, part of the Frontline display in On The Line at People’s History Museum
Used during the 1989 to 1990 ambulance workers’ dispute, it became a symbol of public support for the 19,000 workers standing together for fair pay, a fight that ended in a 16.9% increase
A small object, carrying a big story of people power
🎟 Visit On The Line exhibition in today. Free entry, no booking required
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #OnTheLine #ManchesterMuseum #WorkersRights #Solidarity
✊🏼 May marks 100 years since the 1926 General Strike, which began one minute to midnight on 3 May 1926.
Almost two million people walked out in one of the most powerful acts of collective action in British history.
To mark the centenary, People’s History Museum is hosting a series of events exploring its impact and legacy.
Join us for:
📖 Thursday 7 May (5.30pm-8.30pm)
An evening of author talks, book signing. And a private view of the On The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarity exhibition.
📚 Saturday 9 May (10.30am-4.15pm)
A unique open day with academics, activists and rare archive material from the time.
Part of the national #GS100 commemorations, this is a chance to step into history and reflect on its relevance today.
🎟 Visit link in bio to book your place!
A collaboration between @thejohnrylands @coopheritage Archive, People’s History Museum and @wcmlibrary
#PHMMcr #GeneralStrike100 #BritishHistory #VisitManchester
As curator of ‘On The Line’, Mark brings to life the powerful stories, defining moments and human experiences at the heart of the exhibition.
Through his insight, the exhibition goes beyond the past, connecting historic struggles with the issues we’re still facing today. It’s a reminder that the fight for rights, fairness and change didn’t end then … and why it feels more relevant now than ever.
📍 Discover On The Line: 100 Years of Strikes & Solidarity at People’s History Museum
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #OnTheLine #SocialHistory #WorkersRights #Activism
The Makers Market are back at People’s History Museum this May ✨
Join us on Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 May for a weekend of creativity, community and independent makers, all set inside the museum’s stunning Engine Hall.
Browse unique gifts, discover local talent and soak up the atmosphere with great food and plenty to explore.
✔️ Free entry
✔️ Suitable for all ages
✔️ No booking required – just drop in
Want to see who’s trading? Discover the full list of makers via the events link 🔗
Make a day of it, wander the galleries and support local makers doing what they do best.
🔖 Supported by @aceagrams, @greatermcr & @heritagefunduk
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #MakersMarket #VisitManchester #SupportIndependents #WhatsOnManchester ShopLocal
What happens when people draw a line _____________ and refuse to cross it?
Our brand new exhibition, `On The Line: 100 Years of Strikes & Solidarity` explores the strike stories that shaped modern Britain.
From the 1926 General Strike, when over two million people walked out across the country, to the 1968 Dagenham Ford sewing machinists strike, which helped transform the fight for equal pay, to the Grunwick Strike of 1976, where Jayaben Desai led workers on strike in support of a sacked colleague.
These moments, the photographs and objects connected to them can all be seen inside the exhibition.
Discover the stories of solidarity that changed history for FREE, from now until 2 November.
People`s History Museum📍 Left Bank Manchester, M3 3ER
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #OnTheLine #IdeasWorthFightingFor #StrikeHistory #ManchesterMuseums
This 1976 hand-printed poster calls people to gather outside Hammersmith Hospital in protest against private practice and cuts to the NHS, and forms part of On The Line: 100 Years of Strikes & Solidarity.
It captures a moment when people came together to protect a healthcare system they believed should remain accessible to all, with picket lines becoming spaces of shared purpose and support.
Created by @paddington_printshop, it features in the exhibition’s ‘Frontline’ section, exploring where collective action has taken shape
📍 Plan your visit to explore the exhibition in full, free to enter.
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #OnTheLine #NHSHistory #Solidarity #SocialHistory
Looking for something to do in Manchester this half term without spending a thing?
Head to People’s History Museum and explore our thought-provoking and welcoming exhibitions which are full of stories & objects that are still incredibly relevant today.
Explore On The Line: 100 Years of Strikes & Solidarity, take part in our kids workshops, head to the cafe for a coffee and have a browse in the shop.
Find us at 📍 People’s History Museum, Left Bank,Manchester
More details on our website.
#PeopleHistoryMuseum #ThingsToDoManchester #FreeThingsToDo #VisitManchester #OntheLine
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