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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 building exterior, from Bridge Street, Manchester.
Image of visitors playing 2024 Banner Bingo at People's History Museum.
Image of Axel Void, Peterloo. mural, 2018, painted on the exterior wall of People's History Museum building, next to the River Irwell.
Image of visitors enjoying the juke box in the Time Off? section in Gallery Two at People's History Museum.
Image of visitor trying out the Grunwick strike (1976-1978) interactive digital experience in the Citizens section in Gallery Two at People's History Museum.
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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 all self-guided group visits are currently paused, 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…

Could there be a deliberate irony in the placement of I <3 NHS stickers on a Tobacco Workers’ Union banner? 

In the last few decades, smoking has been the subject of legislation and criticism, with the government often citing NHS capacity as a reason to stop smoking. The latest update is the increased vaping tax announced in Jeremy Hunt’s spring budget 2024. 

This banner was made in 1960, with the NHS stickers added later, potentially at protests in 1982. Tobacco workers often stood in solidarity with others fighting for their rights - the Glasgow Tobacco Workers’ Union stood in solidarity during the Miners’ Strike, distributing food to struggling miners. 

Image: Tobacco Workers’ Union banner, 1960. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum.

Could there be a deliberate irony in the placement of I <3 NHS stickers on a Tobacco Workers’ Union banner?

In the last few decades, smoking has been the subject of legislation and criticism, with the government often citing NHS capacity as a reason to stop smoking. The latest update is the increased vaping tax announced in Jeremy Hunt’s spring budget 2024.

This banner was made in 1960, with the NHS stickers added later, potentially at protests in 1982. Tobacco workers often stood in solidarity with others fighting for their rights - the Glasgow Tobacco Workers’ Union stood in solidarity during the Miners’ Strike, distributing food to struggling miners.

Image: Tobacco Workers’ Union banner, 1960. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum.
...

Despite the lack of coalfields in the East End of London, there was strong support for miners in parts of the capital. For example, Tower Hamlets Miners Support Group campaigned on behalf of miners nationally until October 1994. 

The design on this banner represents the River Thames by a yellow line, with a pithead wheel placed within the Isle of Dogs, a reference to where the banner was made. 

Mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike and uncover the stories of a defining event in Britain’s history at PHM on Saturday 23 March. Book tickets at the link in our bio. 

Image: Eastenders Against Pit Closures, Tower Hamlets Miners Support Group banner, 1992. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum. 

#MinersStrike #MinersStrike40 #Miners #TowerHamlets

Despite the lack of coalfields in the East End of London, there was strong support for miners in parts of the capital. For example, Tower Hamlets Miners Support Group campaigned on behalf of miners nationally until October 1994.

The design on this banner represents the River Thames by a yellow line, with a pithead wheel placed within the Isle of Dogs, a reference to where the banner was made.

Mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike and uncover the stories of a defining event in Britain’s history at PHM on Saturday 23 March. Book tickets at the link in our bio.

Image: Eastenders Against Pit Closures, Tower Hamlets Miners Support Group banner, 1992. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum.

#MinersStrike #MinersStrike40 #Miners #TowerHamlets
...

Women’s activism lasted for many years after the Miners’ Strike of 1984 to 1985 ended. Jaime shows us a commemorative plate from the early 1990s, when Women’s Pit Camps were set up in response to another round of pit closures by the Conservative government. 

Read more about Women Against Pit Closures in a blog by PhD student Amy Todd at the link in our bio. 

PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike.
 
#InternationalWomensDay #MinersStrike40 #MinersStrike #WomensActivism

Women’s activism lasted for many years after the Miners’ Strike of 1984 to 1985 ended. Jaime shows us a commemorative plate from the early 1990s, when Women’s Pit Camps were set up in response to another round of pit closures by the Conservative government.

Read more about Women Against Pit Closures in a blog by PhD student Amy Todd at the link in our bio.

PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike.

#InternationalWomensDay #MinersStrike40 #MinersStrike #WomensActivism
...

Discovered in PHM’s collection store: an elaborate and inspiring tableau depicting key scenes and people from the 1984 to 1985 #MinersStrike. 

The oil painting ‘The Past Is Another Country’ was started by artist David Rumsey in 1984, almost immediately after the strike began, and was completed in 2012 (almost 30 years not almost 40!). The artist was an active member of the local Miners Support Group, along with his wife who donated the piece to People’s History Museum. 

PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike. Read our new blog answering FAQs about the strike, link in bio. 

#MinersStrike40 #OilPainting #BritishHistory 
#Museums #MuseumCollection

Discovered in PHM’s collection store: an elaborate and inspiring tableau depicting key scenes and people from the 1984 to 1985 #MinersStrike.


The oil painting ‘The Past Is Another Country’ was started by artist David Rumsey in 1984, almost immediately after the strike began, and was completed in 2012 (almost 30 years not almost 40!). The artist was an active member of the local Miners Support Group, along with his wife who donated the piece to People’s History Museum.


PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike. Read our new blog answering FAQs about the strike, link in bio.


#MinersStrike40 #OilPainting #BritishHistory
#Museums #MuseumCollection
...

How did miners and LGBT activists end up fighting for each other in the battle for their rights? 

PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike. Join the 40th anniversary archive exploration on Sat 23 March which includes materials from Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. Link in bio to book. 

#MinersStrike40 #MinersStrike #LGSM #LGBTHistory #LesbiansAndGaysSupportTheMiners 

NMLH_1992_128_3_2

How did miners and LGBT activists end up fighting for each other in the battle for their rights?

PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike. Join the 40th anniversary archive exploration on Sat 23 March which includes materials from Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. Link in bio to book.

#MinersStrike40 #MinersStrike #LGSM #LGBTHistory #LesbiansAndGaysSupportTheMiners

NMLH_1992_128_3_2
...

‘Was Judas a Notts Miner?’ This provocative slogan reflects the fact that only a quarter of miners in Nottinghamshire voted to go on strike in the 1984 to 1985 dispute, leaving the community divided. 

Image: Night time picket at Rossington Colliery, near Doncaster, May 1984. Photographer Howard Sooley. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum. 

PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike. Join the 40th anniversary archive exploration on Sat 23 March, link in bio.

#MinersStrike40 #MinersStrike

‘Was Judas a Notts Miner?’ This provocative slogan reflects the fact that only a quarter of miners in Nottinghamshire voted to go on strike in the 1984 to 1985 dispute, leaving the community divided.

Image: Night time picket at Rossington Colliery, near Doncaster, May 1984. Photographer Howard Sooley. Image courtesy of People’s History Museum.

PHM is sharing a week of Miners’ Strike objects to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike. Join the 40th anniversary archive exploration on Sat 23 March, link in bio.

#MinersStrike40 #MinersStrike
...

‘Dress suitably in short skirts and strong boots, leave your jewels in the bank and buy a revolver.’ 

A mosaic of the trailblazing Irish revolutionary, politician and social activist Constance Markievicz is now on display at PHM as part of The Irish Nation art trail! 🇮🇪

The Irish Nation is a trail of 17 previously unseen mosaic artworks around Manchester city centre celebrating Manchester’s long established Irish connection, created by world renowned mosaic artist Mark Kennedy. Link in bio to discover all the Irish icons and locations for the mosaic trail 💚
Explore the trail until 29 March 2024. The project is delivered by the Irish Mancunian and proudly supported by global public art producers @WildinArt. Part of Manchester Irish Festival. 

#TheIrishNation #IrishHistory #WhatsOnManchester #VisitManchester #Mosaic #ConstanceMarkievicz

‘Dress suitably in short skirts and strong boots, leave your jewels in the bank and buy a revolver.’


A mosaic of the trailblazing Irish revolutionary, politician and social activist Constance Markievicz is now on display at PHM as part of The Irish Nation art trail! 🇮🇪


The Irish Nation is a trail of 17 previously unseen mosaic artworks around Manchester city centre celebrating Manchester’s long established Irish connection, created by world renowned mosaic artist Mark Kennedy. Link in bio to discover all the Irish icons and locations for the mosaic trail 💚

Explore the trail until 29 March 2024. The project is delivered by the Irish Mancunian and proudly supported by global public art producers @WildinArt. Part of Manchester Irish Festival.


#TheIrishNation #IrishHistory #WhatsOnManchester #VisitManchester #Mosaic #ConstanceMarkievicz
...

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