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PHM closed throughout January 2024

People’s History Museum will close on Sunday 31 December 2023 and re-open on Thursday 1 February 2024 so that it can carry out further work as part of the Welcome Project at PHM, which stems from the museum’s vision to be an exemplar for accessibility.

Find out more

Visit | Ideas worth exploring

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.

Image of People's History Museum opening times update 2023-2024.
Image of People's History Museum building exterior, from Bridge Street, Manchester. Image courtesy of People's History Museum.
Image of visitors playing Banner Bingo at People's History Museum, Manchester.
Image of Axel Void, Peterloo. mural, 2018 © People's History Museum
Image of Visitors enjoying the juke box in Main Gallery Two at People's History Museum
Image of Exploring the interactive digital experience Grunwick strike (1976 1978)

PHM closed throughout January 2024

People’s History Museum will close on Sunday 31 December 2023 and re-open on Thursday 1 February 2024 so that it can carry out further work as part of the Welcome Project at PHM, which stems from the museum’s vision to be an exemplar for accessibility.

Minor building works will be taking place during December 2023; we will take every measure to limit noise and disruption during this time.

Find out more

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Plan your visit

  • Open: 10.00am to 5.00pm, every day except Tuesdays
  • Closed: 24, 25, 26 December & 1 January
  • Free entry, most visitors donate £10

 

Follow the link below to plan your visit, and find out what to expect when you get to PHM.

Plan your visit
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Group visits

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.

Please note we are pausing all self-guided group bookings from 1 January 2024, back available from 18 March 2024.

Book your group visit
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Getting to PHM

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

Access

People's History Museum, Spinningfields, Manchester

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

What's on

Exploring the galleries at People's History Museum

Explore PHM’s galleries, exhibitions, and hands-on and digital interactives engaging adults and children alike.

Find out what's on

Families

We Love Kids in Museums logo

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

Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar

Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar.

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

Exit through the gift shop

People's History Museum shop

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

Free entry

Become a Radical Friend of People's History Museum

Join other visitors and make a donation today, helping to ensure the museum remains free for all.

Support PHM

Follow People’s History Museum on Instagram…

Why don’t museums want you eating and drinking in the galleries? Not only are there spill and stain risks to precious objects, but bugs LOVE the smell of food and leftover crumbs will tempt them in, 
where they may see the objects as delicacies to add to their plate! Textiles, such as banners, are particularly at risk. 

Luckily, PHM’s Conservators do an excellent job of keeping our objects safe and the museum pest free 🐛

#museums #textileconservation #museumconservation #banners

Why don’t museums want you eating and drinking in the galleries? Not only are there spill and stain risks to precious objects, but bugs LOVE the smell of food and leftover crumbs will tempt them in,

where they may see the objects as delicacies to add to their plate! Textiles, such as banners, are particularly at risk.


Luckily, PHM’s Conservators do an excellent job of keeping our objects safe and the museum pest free 🐛

#museums #textileconservation #museumconservation #banners
...

How did Manchester fight back against an inactive government during the AIDS crisis? #WorldAIDSDay 

A pink ACT UP Manchester banner will be on display in PHM’s 2024 Banner Exhibition from 1 February 2024! In this video, PHM’s Conservator Kloë stitches a white cotton sleeve to the top of the banner to hang it safely for display. 

#TextileConservation #Museums #ActUp #AIDSCrisis #LGBTHistory #LGBTQI #LGBTActivism #KeithHaring #Manchester #ManchesterHistory #VisitManchester

How did Manchester fight back against an inactive government during the AIDS crisis? #WorldAIDSDay

A pink ACT UP Manchester banner will be on display in PHM’s 2024 Banner Exhibition from 1 February 2024! In this video, PHM’s Conservator Kloë stitches a white cotton sleeve to the top of the banner to hang it safely for display.

#TextileConservation #Museums #ActUp #AIDSCrisis #LGBTHistory #LGBTQI #LGBTActivism #KeithHaring #Manchester #ManchesterHistory #VisitManchester
...

So sad to being saying goodbye to The Manchester Argonaut by @wilshermills on Monday 4 December 2023! This grinning figure is a positive and authentic figure of disability, which has greeted visitors including Mayor Andy Burnham to PHM since July 2023. 

The sculpture is tattooed with symbols representing disabled people’s activism and the history of Manchester, from red roses of Lancashire to an ‘Equality through access to the toilet’ tattoo. 

The Manchester Argonaut is leaving us as we start on the install of an accessible Changing Places toilet on PHM’s Ground Floor - we hope the Argonaut would be happy with this development! 

#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #Manchester #TheManchesterArgonaut #Sculpture

So sad to being saying goodbye to The Manchester Argonaut by @wilshermills on Monday 4 December 2023! This grinning figure is a positive and authentic figure of disability, which has greeted visitors including Mayor Andy Burnham to PHM since July 2023.

The sculpture is tattooed with symbols representing disabled people’s activism and the history of Manchester, from red roses of Lancashire to an ‘Equality through access to the toilet’ tattoo.

The Manchester Argonaut is leaving us as we start on the install of an accessible Changing Places toilet on PHM’s Ground Floor - we hope the Argonaut would be happy with this development!

#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #Manchester #TheManchesterArgonaut #Sculpture
...

A cost of living crisis, low pay, threatened redundancies and rapid inflation: this year workers have chosen to fight back for fair pay and better conditions. After a year marked by strike action, take a look back at forty years of picket lines through five objects in PHM’s collection. Read more about them at the link in our bio. 
. 
. 
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Left to right: Manchester Deliveroo strike leaflet, 2020; Fire Brigades Union Cap, 2002-2003; Royal College of Nursing Fair Pay for Nurses badge, 2023; National Union of Journalists (NUJ) picket armband, 1986; Miners’ Strike fact sheet leaflet, 1984. 

For the first time, these strike-related objects are now on display in PHM’s Collections Spotlight case in Main Gallery One. 

#AutumnBudget #AutumnStatement #Strikes #UKStrikes #CostOfLiving #NursingStrike #MinersStrike #PicketLine #StrikeAction #Museums

A cost of living crisis, low pay, threatened redundancies and rapid inflation: this year workers have chosen to fight back for fair pay and better conditions. After a year marked by strike action, take a look back at forty years of picket lines through five objects in PHM’s collection. Read more about them at the link in our bio.
.
.
.
Left to right: Manchester Deliveroo strike leaflet, 2020; Fire Brigades Union Cap, 2002-2003; Royal College of Nursing Fair Pay for Nurses badge, 2023; National Union of Journalists (NUJ) picket armband, 1986; Miners’ Strike fact sheet leaflet, 1984.

For the first time, these strike-related objects are now on display in PHM’s Collections Spotlight case in Main Gallery One.

#AutumnBudget #AutumnStatement #Strikes #UKStrikes #CostOfLiving #NursingStrike #MinersStrike #PicketLine #StrikeAction #Museums
...

Is it too early to get the Christmas tree up? Because these adorable Xmas Bee decorations from @themagpiesdaughter have us ready to start decorating now 🎄 🐝 

Available in PHM shop! 

#MuseumShop #ManchesterIndependents

Is it too early to get the Christmas tree up? Because these adorable Xmas Bee decorations from @themagpiesdaughter have us ready to start decorating now 🎄 🐝

Available in PHM shop!

#MuseumShop #ManchesterIndependents
...

A fairer world for everyone - at People’s History Museum we celebrate those who have fought to achieve this. We tell authentic stories of the protests, strikes, campaigns and policies that have shaped Britain. Thank you for following us and helping us share these stories! 

#IdeasWorthFightingFor

A fairer world for everyone - at People’s History Museum we celebrate those who have fought to achieve this. We tell authentic stories of the protests, strikes, campaigns and policies that have shaped Britain. Thank you for following us and helping us share these stories!

#IdeasWorthFightingFor
...

5 wines expertly paired with 5 festive snacks. Kick off your December with Festive Chips and Sips at PHM's resident ethical cafe and bar @openkitchenphm. 

A wine tasting evening with the expertise but without the snobbery, pairing sustainable wines with snacks like a yule log and a pineapple and cheese hedgehog. 

Friday 1 December, 6.30pm to 11.00pm. £29.50, link in bio to book.

#WhatsOnManchester #ManchesterChristmas

5 wines expertly paired with 5 festive snacks. Kick off your December with Festive Chips and Sips at PHM`s resident ethical cafe and bar @openkitchenphm.

A wine tasting evening with the expertise but without the snobbery, pairing sustainable wines with snacks like a yule log and a pineapple and cheese hedgehog.

Friday 1 December, 6.30pm to 11.00pm. £29.50, link in bio to book.

#WhatsOnManchester #ManchesterChristmas
...

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