Everyone knows that this industrial city in northern England was the textile hub once. Not many know that it is also known for pioneering work in science and research. The computer, for instance, was invented here the first stored-programme computer (a giant contraption nicknamed 'Baby'). Scientists at the University of Manchester are involved in research at CERN. The Manchester Museum of Science & Industry showcases all this. Housed in the enormous grounds of the old Liverpool Road Station buildings, the city's legacy is out on display. You can test an early electric-shock machine ot try out a printing press. Or check out the history of powered flight from triplanes and fighter jets to space age tech in the air & space hall, including an astronaut virtual-reality experience called Space Descent VR. You can also design your own jet engine. Get up close with the city's textile industry with cotton spinning and weaving machinery demos at the textiles gallery. A café on the ground floor serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, breakfast bites, hot pastries, cakes and snacks.
The collection here charts the story of public road transport from 1824, and is spread over 100 years. The location is in itself quite interesting, inside one of Greater Manchester&rsquos earliest bus garages in a Grade II listed building adjoining Manchester&rsquos first electric tram depot. The exhibits here include a 1890s horse bus, as well as a full-size prototype Metrolink tram. Many of their restored buses are maintained in roadworthy condition and can be driven on public roads. Watch out for their special events some of which let you travel on these historic vehicles.
Interested in archaeology, anthropology and natural history Head out to see the eclectic collection at this museum housed in a high Victorian red-brick university building. From Ancient World galleries that tell the stories of Egypt, Greece and Rome to a vivarium with live reptiles and amphibians. It has about 4.5 million items from every continent and is the UK's largest university museum. The museum is one of the University of Manchester's 'cultural assets', along with the Whitworth Art Gallery, John Rylands Library, Jodrell Bank visitor centre and others.
It is fitting that the city of Manchester, with its roots in workers' rights and suffragette movement should house a collection that celebrates this. This is where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels discussed that &lsquoworking class&rsquo had become a permanent rather than a transitional stage for workers. Manchester is where Emmeline Pankhurst was born and shaped the suffragette movement. The museum celebrates its 10th birthday as the home of ideas worth fighting for in 2020. And its collections have never been as relevant or resonant as they are today. It is a very special and unique place which showcases more than two hundred years of the shaping of British democracy. It is located inside a grade II listed restored Pump House building, on the left bank of the river Irwell which marks the border between Manchester and Salford.
The collection has a lot of information and materials on display, including an extensive political banner collection. The conservation studio includes a viewing gallery where you can see the process of restoring items. The space showcases extensive histories and ongoing struggles, including LGBTQ community activism. Their remarkable events celebrate milestones such as the bicentenary of the Peterloo massacre, a democratic march that resulted in terrible violence against the marchers.
They also have a gift shop and café.
After you are done here, you must also visit The Pankhurst Centre which is housed in the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and is the founding site of the Women&rsquos Social and Political Union.
