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
Lines of Thought ✍️
Some of the most powerful moments in On The Line: 100 Years of Strikes & Solidarity, aren’t part of the exhibition itself, they’re written by the people moving through it.
From memories of the miners’ strike and standing on picket lines, to reflections on protests, peace and solidarity, our Lines of Thought wall is becoming a living archive of shared experiences.
“The right to strike is one of the last powers we have.”
“As a striking teacher, two of my pupils joined us on the picket line. It meant the world to me.”
.... Be part of the conversation 🖊️
#OnTheLine #PeoplesHistoryMuseum #Solidarity #Strike #MuseumExhibition
Keep an eye out for PHM tonight 👀
People’s History Museum will feature in tonight’s episode of @lucy_worsley Investigates on @bbctwo at 9pm, exploring the story of the American Revolution and the figures who helped shape political change.
The full series will also be available to stream on iPlayer from tonight.
Alongside the episode, history lovers can dive deeper into the story of John Wilkes and the American Revolution via our latest blog- available to read via link in bio 📲
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #LucyWorsley #AmericanRevolution #HistoryLovers #MuseumsMatter Manchester
Our May Makers Market is back again today ✨
Join us on Left Bank for a full day of independent traders, handmade finds, art, gifts, food and plenty of good vibes.
Whether you’re browsing, buying or just soaking up the atmosphere, there’s so much to explore from some incredibly talented local makers and creatives.
We’re here until 4.30pm today, so there’s still plenty of time to come down and discover something special.
📍 Find us on Left Bank at People’s History Museum
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #MakersMarket #SupportIndependents #ShopSmallUK #WeekendPlans
✨ This weekend at People’s History Museum ✨
The May Maker`s Market returns this weekend (Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 May) between 11am-4pm bringing a celebration of independent makers, craft and creativity in our iconic Engine Hall.
Browse an amazing mix of traders from across the North West, ranging from handmade jewellery and ceramics to textiles, prints, homeware and accessories.
Shop ....
💍 Vintage-inspired jewellery and bold beaded designs
🏺 Contemporary ceramics and raku-fired pieces
🧵 Handwoven textiles, bags and one-off fabrics
🖼️ Printed works, mini banners and statement pieces for the home
🌿 Independent makers championing craft, sustainability and local production
Alongside our market, guests can explore On The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarity exhibition, galleries and make a day of it with food and drinks from the @gatherphm café.
No booking needed. Free to enter.
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #MakersMarket #SupportIndependents #ShopSmallUK #ThingsToDoManchester
General Strike | Day 9
On 12 May, the Trades Union Congress called off the General Strike.
After nine days, workers returned, but the miners’ dispute continued for months beyond. The strike ended, but its impact on labour rights, protest, and collective action lasted far longer.
On The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarity exhibition is home to the objects, banners, and stories of the 1926 General Strike featuring items of national importance spanning 250 years of British social and political history.
🎟 Visit On The Line exhibition. Free entry, no booking required
#OnTheLine100 #GeneralStrike100 #HistoryThatMatters #PeoplesHistoryMuseum #OnTheLine
Day 8 | 10 May 1926
At the height of the General Strike, Britain’s most famous train, the Flying Scotsman, derailed in Cramlington, Northumberland. The shocking images of the overturned train quickly became one of the defining headlines of the strike, capturing a nation already gripped by unrest, uncertainty and protest.
Now, exactly 100 years later, Dr Dan Edmonds explores the dramatic derailment in the first of a new three-part blog series marking the centenary of the 1926 General Strike.
Dan’s work uncovers campaigns and activism through the collections of People`s History Museum and the Working Class Movement Library, helping bring marginalised voices back into the centre of political history.
But who derailed the train, and why?
Read the full story now via the link in bio✊🏼
#PeoplesHistoryMuseum #GeneralStrike100 #OnTheLine100 #FlyingScotsman #SocialHistory
General Strike | Day 7
One week into the strike, millions had come together in collective action.
This banner from the 1976 Grunwick Strike shows that the same fight continued decades later, with workers standing up for fair pay, dignity, and rights at work.
Across time, different movements have shared the same message. 100 years later, these stories still shape how we understand protest and collective power.
📍 Visit People’s History Museum to explore for yourself.
#OnTheLine100 #GeneralStrike100 #PeoplesHistoryMuseum #StrikeAndSolidarity #ManchesterEvents
✊🏼 General Strike | Day 6
One hundred years ago today, the General Strike entered its sixth day. Across Britain, communities stood shoulder to shoulder as workers, families and neighbours navigated uncertainty together.
This powerful mural by artist David Rumsey, created during the 1984–85 Miners’ Strike, reflects how those same themes of resistance, solidarity and community continued decades later.
Look closely and you’ll uncover layers of protest history woven throughout the artwork, from collective action to deeply personal acts of support. The ‘Mines Not Missiles’ flag, owned by the artist himself, stands as a reminder that these movements were not just political moments, but lived experiences that shaped generations.
📍 Visit People`s History Museum to explore On the Line: 100 Years of Strikes & Solidarity and discover the stories, objects and voices behind one of Britain’s most significant moments of collective action.
#OnTheLine100 #GeneralStrike100 #PeoplesHistoryMuseum #MinersStrike #Solidarity
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