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 or phone the Learning Team on 0161 838 9190.
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.
Follow the link below for information on how to get to PHM.
Getting to PHM
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.
Access at PHM
Explore PHM’s galleries, exhibitions, and hands-on and digital interactives engaging adults and children alike.
Find out what's on
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.
Plan your family visit
Take a break from exploring with a sustainable, ethical, and delicious food experience at Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar; offering breakfast, lunch and drinks to grab and go, or sit in and enjoy.
A picnic area is available for visitors bringing their own food and drink to the museum.
Take a break
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
A dazzling evening of celebration, laughter, and sparkle at PHM ✨ Queens of the Desert: A Queer Cabaret promises a fusion of storytelling, music, drag, poetry, and spoken word by local, vibrant, and exceptionally talented LGBTQIA+ performers.
Crafted by the critically acclaimed @ToBeeProd, ‘Queens of the Desert’ promises an unforgettable experience that not only entertains but also supports the Trans Mutual Aid Fund. Proudly sponsored by @LGBTfdn and @Superbia_Mcr.
🎟️ Saturday 8 June, 7.00pm to 10.00pm. Tickets at the link in bio.
Image courtesy of Jas Nisic.
#TransHistoryWeek #WhatsOnManchester
A dazzling evening of celebration, laughter, and sparkle at PHM ✨ Queens of the Desert: A Queer Cabaret promises a fusion of storytelling, music, drag, poetry, and spoken word by local, vibrant, and exceptionally talented LGBTQIA+ performers.
Crafted by the critically acclaimed @ToBeeProd, ‘Queens of the Desert’ promises an unforgettable experience that not only entertains but also supports the Trans Mutual Aid Fund. Proudly sponsored by @LGBTfdn and @Superbia_Mcr.
🎟️ Saturday 8 June, 7.00pm to 10.00pm. Tickets at the link in bio.
Image courtesy of Jas Nisic.
#TransHistoryWeek #WhatsOnManchester
The Jewish transgender couple who fell in love and escaped the Nazis. An article by PHM`s Collection Assistant Jaime for @wearequeeraf_ this #TransHistoryWeek. Link in bio to read.
Illustration by Nikolas Wereszczyński. Image courtesy of QueerAF.
The Jewish transgender couple who fell in love and escaped the Nazis. An article by PHM`s Collection Assistant Jaime for @wearequeeraf_ this #TransHistoryWeek. Link in bio to read.
Illustration by Nikolas Wereszczyński. Image courtesy of QueerAF.
Remembering the 1981 People’s March for Jobs 🚶♂️✊ From Liverpool to London, this historic march protested the devastating impact of Thatcher’s policies which left an unprecedented 2.5 million unemployed. Organised by working class activists and supported by trade unions, the People’s March for Jobs was a 30 day procession in demand of work. It sparked solidarity and media attention.
To find out more about the People’s March for Jobs, read PHM’s latest guest blog by Dr Greig Campbell at the link in our bio and check out the So We Marched exhibition at @LiverpoolCentralLibrary.
Image: People`s March for Jobs t-shirt, 1981. Image courtesy of People`s History Museum. NMLH.1992.136.1
#PeoplesMarchForJobs #WorkersRights
Remembering the 1981 People’s March for Jobs 🚶♂️✊ From Liverpool to London, this historic march protested the devastating impact of Thatcher’s policies which left an unprecedented 2.5 million unemployed. Organised by working class activists and supported by trade unions, the People’s March for Jobs was a 30 day procession in demand of work. It sparked solidarity and media attention.
To find out more about the People’s March for Jobs, read PHM’s latest guest blog by Dr Greig Campbell at the link in our bio and check out the So We Marched exhibition at @LiverpoolCentralLibrary.
Image: People`s March for Jobs t-shirt, 1981. Image courtesy of People`s History Museum. NMLH.1992.136.1
#PeoplesMarchForJobs #WorkersRights
Happy #MayDay - an opportunity to celebrate workers and remember our collective power. This beautiful velvet banner was brought back from the Soviet Union in the 1920s by Maggie Jordan, who went to Russia to train textile workers.
Image: Raise Higher the Red Banners of the Classe Struggle! banner, 1920s.
Happy #MayDay - an opportunity to celebrate workers and remember our collective power. This beautiful velvet banner was brought back from the Soviet Union in the 1920s by Maggie Jordan, who went to Russia to train textile workers.
Image: Raise Higher the Red Banners of the Classe Struggle! banner, 1920s.
Climate justice protests often include banners held high. This one was made for @xrebellionuk’s April Uprising in 2019 when a crowd of thousands blockaded Westminster in demand of #climateaction. It has since marched in Manchester, Hebden Bridge and Halifax.
Fire & Flood in the Pennines, 2019, is on display in People’s History Museum’s 2024 Banner Exhibition, on loan from Calderdale Extinction Rebellion.
#ExtinctionRebellion #ClimateJustice #ClimateProtest
@xrmanchester @xrcalderdale @xrtrafford @xrdidsbury
Climate justice protests often include banners held high. This one was made for @xrebellionuk’s April Uprising in 2019 when a crowd of thousands blockaded Westminster in demand of #climateaction. It has since marched in Manchester, Hebden Bridge and Halifax.
Fire & Flood in the Pennines, 2019, is on display in People’s History Museum’s 2024 Banner Exhibition, on loan from Calderdale Extinction Rebellion.
#ExtinctionRebellion #ClimateJustice #ClimateProtest
@xrmanchester @xrcalderdale @xrtrafford @xrdidsbury
Tomorrow is South Africa’s Freedom Day. 2024 marks 30 years since the first post-apartheid democratic elections, in which anyone could vote regardless of race after centuries of colonialism and racial injustice.
Boycotts and demonstrating for sanctions were essential actions taken by Britain`s Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM), which worked as part of an international movement opposing apartheid. Similar methods are still used by international solidarity activist groups today, including the movement for Palestinian liberation.
Free Namibia, Free South Africa poster by the Anti-Apartheid Movement, around 1990. NMLH_1991_81_22.
Stop Apartheid War badge, around 1990. AntiApartheid_00004.
Smash Apartheid badge, date unknown. AntiApartheid_00008.
All images courtesy of People’s History Museum.
#FreedomDay #AntiApartheid #Boycott
Tomorrow is South Africa’s Freedom Day. 2024 marks 30 years since the first post-apartheid democratic elections, in which anyone could vote regardless of race after centuries of colonialism and racial injustice.
Boycotts and demonstrating for sanctions were essential actions taken by Britain`s Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM), which worked as part of an international movement opposing apartheid. Similar methods are still used by international solidarity activist groups today, including the movement for Palestinian liberation.
Free Namibia, Free South Africa poster by the Anti-Apartheid Movement, around 1990. NMLH_1991_81_22.
Stop Apartheid War badge, around 1990. AntiApartheid_00004.
Smash Apartheid badge, date unknown. AntiApartheid_00008.
All images courtesy of People’s History Museum.
#FreedomDay #AntiApartheid #Boycott
Today, we commemorate the historic Easter Rising which began 24 April 1916, a pivotal moment in Ireland’s journey towards independence. Irish Republican groups fiercely advocated for liberty and justice, challenging British colonial rule.
Constance Markievicz was a leading member of the Irish Citizen Army, a socialist militia that fought alongside the Irish Volunteers. She commanded a garrison at St Stephen’s Green and was sentenced to death for her role in the rebellion, though the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Explore a stunning mosaic of Markievicz at PHM until 6 May 2024, crafted by Mark Kennedy as part of the Irish Nation Art Trail.
#EasterRising #IrishIndependence #ConstanceMarkievicz
Today, we commemorate the historic Easter Rising which began 24 April 1916, a pivotal moment in Ireland’s journey towards independence. Irish Republican groups fiercely advocated for liberty and justice, challenging British colonial rule.
Constance Markievicz was a leading member of the Irish Citizen Army, a socialist militia that fought alongside the Irish Volunteers. She commanded a garrison at St Stephen’s Green and was sentenced to death for her role in the rebellion, though the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Explore a stunning mosaic of Markievicz at PHM until 6 May 2024, crafted by Mark Kennedy as part of the Irish Nation Art Trail.
#EasterRising #IrishIndependence #ConstanceMarkievicz
From local sewing circles to international spotlight, Extinction Rebellion Calderdale (XRC) have created defiant ‘netty’ protest banners which amplify the urgent call for climate justice.
For #EarthDay2024, PHM has been in conversation with XRC to explore how, stitch by stitch, they have resisted climate chaos through protest. Read the blog at the link in our bio 🌱🧵
Fire and Floods in the Pennines, 2019, is on display in PHM’s 2024 Banner Exhibition, thanks to a loan from Extinction Rebellion Calderdale.
#EarthDay #ExtinctionRebellion #ClimateJustice #ClimateActivism #ProtestBanners #Craftivism
Fire and Flood in the Pennines Calderdale XR Banner image at April Uprising, 2019. Image courtesy of Lucy Cartwright.
Fire and Flood in the Pennines banner carried on a march, date unknown. Image courtesy of Lucy Cartwright.
Fire and Flood in the Pennines banner on display at People’s History Museum. 2024. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum.
From local sewing circles to international spotlight, Extinction Rebellion Calderdale (XRC) have created defiant ‘netty’ protest banners which amplify the urgent call for climate justice.
For #EarthDay2024, PHM has been in conversation with XRC to explore how, stitch by stitch, they have resisted climate chaos through protest. Read the blog at the link in our bio 🌱🧵
Fire and Floods in the Pennines, 2019, is on display in PHM’s 2024 Banner Exhibition, thanks to a loan from Extinction Rebellion Calderdale.
#EarthDay #ExtinctionRebellion #ClimateJustice #ClimateActivism #ProtestBanners #Craftivism
Fire and Flood in the Pennines Calderdale XR Banner image at April Uprising, 2019. Image courtesy of Lucy Cartwright.
Fire and Flood in the Pennines banner carried on a march, date unknown. Image courtesy of Lucy Cartwright.
Fire and Flood in the Pennines banner on display at People’s History Museum. 2024. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum.
Are you more independent or community-focused? Experimental or measured? Prefer work or play?
Take our quick quiz to find out which radical you are! At the end we’ll offer you access to our free e-newsletter which matches your interests to what’s on at PHM.
