Everything you need to know about visiting People's History Museum.
Yes, entry to the museum remains free, most visitors donate £10.
We accept cash and card payments for donations.
PHM is an independent charity and all support is gratefully received. Support PHM to preserve and inspire ideas worth fighting for, past, present and future.
Yes, the museum is suitable for all ages to visit, and Family Friendly throughout. We offer an engaging programme of activity suitable for a range of ages; check out what’s on for individual event information.
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. You can visit by walking, cycling, bus, train or tram, or use nearby city centre parking. Visit the Getting to People’s History Museum page of our website for further information on how to get to PHM.
Check with travel providers for more information on their services. We recommend you visit Transport for Greater Manchester’s website to plan your journey.
We are committed to supporting all visitors during their time at PHM. We understand that everyone has different access needs. Visit the Access page of our website for further information on access at PHM.
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.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum. We also welcome dogs registered with the Emotional Support Animal Registry, dependent on behaviour.
If the behaviour of an Emotional Support dog appears over stimulated in the museum environment, visitors may be asked to leave.
Signs outside the museum and as you enter the building will inform you of what to expect during your visit, and Visitor Experience staff at the museum’s welcome desk will help with any queries you have.
When arriving at the museum, the welcome desk area may be busy with visitors and groups arriving. The wider foyer area around the welcome desk can also be a busy space. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please speak to a member of staff.
The museum is less busy between 3.00pm and 5.00pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and between 10.00am and 12.00pm on Sunday mornings. Our dedicated quiet time is between 2.00pm and 5.00pm on Fridays.
We have a Quiet Room available; if you need to use this during your visit ask any member of staff.
We recommend you set aside one hour and 30 minutes for your visit, but of course you are welcome to stay longer.
As well as exploring the main galleries and exhibitions, take time to browse the books, gifts and souvenirs in PHM’s shop, where every purchase supports the museum.
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.
Yes; book a self-guided group visit and receive a welcome upon arrival with details of the latest exhibitions and self-led activities to get the most out of your visit.
We also offer school workshops supporting the building of confidence, skills, and knowledge to communicate your learners’ ideas to help them change the world.
Check out the Learn pages of the website for information on self-guided group visits, school workshops, and resources to support your group visit. To book a group visit please fill in this enquiry form or email the Learning Team on learning@phm.org.uk, who will help you plan your visit to the museum.
The temperature is lower in all the galleries due to air conditioning systems.
Use PHM’s visitor map and Visual Story to familiarise yourself with the museum building ahead of your visit.
Visit PHM’s two permanent galleries Gallery One and Gallery Two, where you’ll meet the radicals and changemakers of the past and present, inspiring those of the future. Explore the ground-breaking stories of the Peterloo Massacre, the Match Girls’ Strike, votes for women, workers’ rights, and much more.
In Gallery One and Gallery Two you’ll find hands-on interactives and two immersive digital experiences, allowing greater access to PHM’s collections and stories, engaging adults and children alike.
On display across Gallery One and Gallery Two, visit the latest Banner Exhibition, and come face to face with the handiwork of the people who fought for the rights we have today.
Take a 3D tour of the main galleries
There are also exhibitions and activities in Gallery Three, which change a few times a year.
To discover a range of exhibitions, installations, events, workshops, and activities, check out what’s on at PHM, suitable for a range of ages – see individual event information.
See behind the scenes into The Conservation Studio through the viewing window in Gallery Two.
Browse PHM’s shop, where all purchases made support the museum.
Take a break from exploring and enjoy a hot or cold drink, snack, or light lunch from our sustainable and ethical cafe, to grab and go, or sit in and enjoy. Managed by Manchester based food and drink social enterprise Open Kitchen.
A picnic area is available for visitors bringing their own food and drink to the museum.
Delve into the collections at the Labour History Archive & Study Centre, by appointment only. See further details on this page below.
Yes, please do! We just ask that your camera flash is switched off to protect our objects. You can share your snaps with us on social media @phmmcr using #IdeasWorthFightingFor.
Yes! PHM is a previous winner of Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award, and we welcome visitors of all ages and abilities and families of all shapes and sizes. 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.
In Gallery One and Gallery Two you’ll find hands-on interactives and two immersive digital experiences, allowing greater access to PHM’s collections and stories, engaging adults and children alike. In Gallery One discover the Match Girls’ Strike of 1888 and experience the harsh working conditions at the Bryant & May match factory through an arcade style game. In Gallery Two get up close to items from strikes that changed the face of protest using augmented reality (AR) through a specially created app revealing 3D digital scans of objects and archive material. Download the app ahead of your visit to your Apple or Android device.
PHM offers an engaging programme of Family Friendly exhibitions, installations, events, workshops, and activities, suitable for a range of ages; check out what’s on for families.
Browse PHM’s shop for pocket money friendly souvenirs, and books about inspiring people from history, to inspire little radicals for the future. Recurrent winner of the Toymark Good Practice Award, PHM shop is recognised for its inclusivity and for challenging gender stereotypes by the Let Toys be Toys campaign.
Take a break from exploring and enjoy a hot or cold drink, snack, or light lunch from our sustainable and ethical cafe, to grab and go, or sit in and enjoy. The cafe offers a range of affordable light lunch options for families, including a child friendly choice for youngsters. Managed by Manchester based food and drink social enterprise Open Kitchen.
A picnic area is available for visitors bringing their own food and drink to the museum.
To discover a range of exhibitions, installations, events, workshops, and activities, check out what’s on at PHM, suitable for a range of ages – see individual event information.
To be the first to hear about exhibitions, installations, and events at the museum, sign up to receive PHM’s e-newsletter.
Yes; the Labour History Archive & Study Centre is open Wednesday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm (lunchtime closure 12.00pm to 1.00pm), closed Mondays, Tuesdays, weekends, bank holidays, and additional days around Christmas and New Year.
Access to the archive is available by appointment, booking in advance is essential by email to archive@phm.org.uk.
Yes; see behind the scenes into a working conservation studio through the viewing window in Gallery Two.
Yes; the shop is open on the same days and times as the museum.
You can also visit PHM’s online shop to browse and purchase a selection of products available from PHM’s onsite shop.
All purchases made from PHM’s shop both onsite and online support the museum, helping us continue to preserve and inspire ideas worth fighting for, past, present and future.
We accept cash and card payments for shop purchases.
Yes; take a break from exploring and enjoy a hot or cold drink, snack, or light lunch from our sustainable and ethical cafe, to grab and go, or sit in and enjoy. Managed by Manchester based food and drink social enterprise Open Kitchen.
The cafe has different opening times to the museum; the cafe is open 10.00am to 4.00pm every day except Tuesdays – so remember you won’t be able to access the cafe for the final hour of the museum’s opening hours.
Please note the cafe does not accept cash payments.
National Art Pass holders (Art Fund members) are entitled to a 20% discount off food and drink (excluding alcohol) in Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar and 20% off all purchases in PHM shop. Show your Art Pass in the cafe and museum shop to receive your discount.
Yes; a picnic area is available for visitors bringing their own food and drink to the museum.
We ask that visitors using the picnic area clear their areas after use and take their rubbish with them to reduce waste.
No eating or drinking is permitted in the galleries.
Yes; there are gendered toilets, gender neutral and left and right transfer accessible toilets, a Changing Places toilet, baby changing facilities, and a water bottle filling station.
Hand washing and hand sanitiser stations are located throughout the museum.
No cloakroom facilities are available, and we ask that you don’t bring large bags or luggage to the museum.
There are 12 lockers located on the ground floor and 12 lockers located on the lower ground floor, of varying sizes. Lockers are key operated and do not require a coin.
Some of our lockers may not be accessible for all visitors, please ask a staff member for assistance.
Yes; PHM’s friendly Venue Hire Team will work with you to plan your event in one of the museum’s unique event spaces available for hire.
All income generated through venue hire supports the museum, helping us continue to preserve and inspire ideas worth fighting for, past, present and future.
Where possible, please keep a distance from other visitors who are not in your household to help ensure everyone can enjoy their visit safely.
You are welcome to wear a face mask. Please respect people’s choice to wear a face covering, including our staff.
Hand washing and hand sanitiser stations are located throughout the museum.
Regular cleaning regimes are implemented throughout the museum, especially in busy visitor areas, with special attention given to stair handrails, doors, lifts, toilet areas, and interactive experiences.
We welcome feedback on how to improve a visit to PHM. If you would like to share feedback, please speak to a member of staff when visiting, email the relevant department, or phone the museum on 0161 838 9190.
If you have any queries that have not been answered here, please email the relevant department or phone the museum on 0161 838 9190.
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