While we enjoy trying new independent restaurants and experiencing the city’s cultural offerings as much as the next person, budget does not always permit. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the city’s evergreen ‘cheap dates’; genuinely interesting ways to spend your time without spending any money.
From our almost inconceivably historic buildings, to globally significant museums and galleries, via weird little cultural curiosities and unexpected green spaces, when it comes to thrifty activities, we’re spoiled for choice.
Here are the best free things to do in Manchester…
Castlefield Viaduct High Line
The High Line gardens sat atop the historic Castlefield Viaduct is completely free – all you need to do is book yourself a slot to visit on the National Trust website. The £1.8m urban sky park is the culmination of months and months of work to transform the dilapidated and derelict Grace-II listed structure with an impressive array of trees, flowers and shrubs that have brought a new lease of life to the 125-year-old space. There’s big plans to extend it too.
Science & Industry Museum
Manchester has some of the best histories in terms of science and industry, what with the Industrial Revolution starting on our doorstep, John Dalton paving the way for Rutherford, the smashing of those pesky atoms, and, of course, Alan Turing. All this and more is celebrated within the multiple buildings that make up the Science & Industry Museum, a rainy day must for many a Mancunian. General admission is free, which includes admission to the recently renovated Power Hall, which documents the history of steam engines.
Try anything at Altogether Otherwise
Forget side hustles, the team at Altogether Otherwise are bringing back the humble, unmonetised hobby. In fact, they call themselves a ‘hobby house’ – a space to try entirely free activities just for the joy of it, without focussing too much on perfection or productivity. You can browse current clubs on their website and book to attend, with emphatically no experience necessary. We’re talking yoga, gardening, cooking, stitching, reading and writing, and knitting. Keep an eye on their programme, and see what takes your fancy.
Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archive
True crime fans, this one’s a no-brainer. Open only on Tuesdays – you have been warned – this tiny museum on Newton Street allows visitors a glimpse into the stories behind historical crimes and criminals. Once a working police station, the volunteers take pleasure in showing you the genuine Victorian prison cells (and pictures of a convict escaping out of the serving hatch), as well as the magnificent courtroom upstairs. You can even try on some of the riot gear.
Get out of the city
Here in Manchester, we are lucky enough to be a stone’s throw away from some wonderful spots for walking. We’ve got Heaton Park, the historic (and definitely haunted) Dunham Massey, and Arley Hall and gardens just to name a few. Then further afield there’s Macclesfield Forest, the Peak District, and loads of walks around day-trippable towns like Hebden Bridge and Todmorden – all accessible by public transport too. In fact, there’s enough walks here to keep you going for every weekend of the year.
Orsdall Hall
If you’re a native Manc you’ll have fond memories of school trips to this place. Well, as an adult, you can still try on some chainmail, pretend you’re having a feast in the Great Hall, and find out all about this nearly 800 year old house on the outskirts of Salford – all for free. There are always events going on throughout the year for all ages, and if the weather is nice the gardens offer up a stunning backdrop to explore their allotment, herb garden and sculptures. It’s is supposedly haunted too, which is always a bonus.
The Portico Library
One of the city’s most impressive cultural institutions, the Portico Library is located in the upstairs of the Portico building, above The Bank pub on Mosley Street. Go around the corner and pop through the little door at the side and you’re transported into a stunning library, one which also runs a packed calendar of regular events and exhibitions. Describing itself as ‘Manchester’s original 19th-century home of literature and learning’, it truly is a portal through time, and a must for all bookworms and history fans. Well worth a visit.
Imperial War Museum North
There’s not much you can say about the Imperial War Museum that will fully do it justice. As part of the wide network of museums around the country, IMWN has access to vast collections of war artefacts and stories, all of which will aid in the study and understanding of the history of modern war and the ‘wartime experience’. A really moving place to visit.
North West Film Archive
Based in Manchester Central Library – which is a free day out in its own right – is the North West Film Archive, a digital collection of historical footage and home movies to newsreels and adverts, over 60,000 items in fact. You can go and have a browse around and uncover otherwise forgotten slices of the region’s history.
Manchester Museum
Fresh off the back of a £15 million refurb, Manchester Museum was always a must-visit, but now it’s even more so. Funded by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The University of Manchester, and other private supporters, the refurb has seen the building gain a brand new two-storey extension, which means more capacity for their extensive collections spanning archeology, botany, zoology and Egyptology.
The Runway Visitor Park, adjacent to the busy runways of the airport, is one of the North West’s most popular outdoor attractions. It’s great for kids, nerdy plane spotters and just anyone who fancies a pint in the sun, as the raised viewing area means that you can stand literally just a few metres away from the planes as they go past. The park is also home to a variety of retired planes, including the spectacular supersonic airliner, Concorde G-BOAC; and the former RAF military spy plane, Nimrod. There’s also a DC-10, Avro RJX and a retro Trident airliner, offering a glimpse of what flying was like in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Irwell Sculpture Trail
The Irwell Sculpture Trail is the largest public art scheme in England, commissioning regional, national and international artists and including 28 art pieces across a well-established 30-mile footpath stretching from Salford Quays through Bury into Rossendale and up the Pennines above Bacup.
The National Football Museum
The National Football Museum in Urbis on Cathedral Gardens receives financial support from Manchester City Council, so if you pay your council tax to them, it’s free for you to visit. If you’re not a Manchester resident, it’s £15, or £9 for kids. Once in, you can expect some pretty impressive exhibitions all about the beautiful game and its impact on society, communities and people. There are four levels dedicated to the game, including a huge array of kits, trophies and even plenty of interactive games and experiences to keep you interested.
Heaton Park Animal Centre
Not only is the entrance to Heaton Park free, but there’s also their Animal Centre, located in the old stables, which is free also – and a great place to take the kids. There you can meet many common farmyard animals, such as chickens, goats, geese, pigs, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits as well as more exotic species such as alpacas and tortoises. There are also a few peacocks that strut around the area, and out in the park, there are a few Highland cattle to admire from afar, as well as horses and donkeys. Plus, it’s easy to get there from the city centre via the Metrolink.
The Pankhurst Centre
Exploring the story of the Pankhurst family and the suffragette campaign for votes for women you can sit in the parlour where their first meeting took place, have a stroll in the garden or just chill in the brilliant little cafe. The tickets for entry are free, but they also work on a pay-what-you-can donation when you book, to help them keep the Pankhurst Centre open to the public.
People’s History Museum
People’s History Museum, located on the Manchester-Salford border – describes itself as ‘the national museum of democracy’ and aims to engage, inspire and inform diverse audiences by showing ‘there have always been ideas worth fighting for’. After a massive £12.5m refurbishment, the museum re-opened its doors a couple of years ago and has had some brilliant exhibitions exploring these ideals. It’s also home to a great cafe run by the people behind the Open Kitchen MCR project.
Manchester Art Gallery
With an impressive permanent collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, Manchester Art Gallery is home to some almost impossibly famous pieces of art by the likes of L.S. Lowry, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Maddox Brown and John Everett Millais. They also keep things contemporary with constantly changing temporary exhibitions, alongside a wide range of events from tours and talks to creative activities for children and grown-ups. If you’re looking for inspiration, or just looking for a moment to reflect, you should dedicate an hour or two to this place.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
Open Tuesday to Sunday and completely free to visit, Salford Museum and Art Gallery also host a fantastic programme for kids and families throughout the summer holidays, so if you’re struggling to keep the little sods entertained this might just be what you’re looking for. First opened to the public all the way back in 1850, the museum and art gallery is devoted to the history of the city, Victorian art and architecture and has plenty of hands-on activities.
Mamcumium
The history of the city began when the Romans recognised Castlefield as a great place to settle and decided to erect the fort Mamucium here in 79AD, beginning the slow progress of what is now this great city. The Roman fort is still there today and the surrounding area of Castlefield is a great place to visit too. Later becoming the centre of canal and rail networks for vast quantities of goods during the Industrial Revolution and more recently the UK’s first Urban Heritage Park, there are plenty of waterways, warehouses and bridges to explore and learn about Manchester’s history.
The Whitworth Art Gallery is a stunning Victorian structure and one-time Museum of the Year. It’s home to an immense collection of up to 55,000 watercolours, sculptures, textiles and paintings. They’ve got no fewer than seven William Blakes here, and even a few Van Goghs and Picassos, as well as commissioned exhibitions by contemporary artists from around the world. The cafe is well worth a visit too, encased by floor-to-ceiling glass walls that overlook the sculpture park outside. The city is truly a better place for it being here.
With the BBC setting up shop at MediaCity was huge for Salford Quays was the city as a whole. One upside is that there are a ton of TV and radio shows get recorded here where you can get into the audience, entirely for free. Huge shows like A Question of Sport, University Challenge, Pointless and more are available at different points throughout the year. In addition, BBC Philharmonic perform live concerts here too – which you can watch for free.
The Lowry
The Lowry opened in 2000, as part of a massive project to renovate Salford Quays for the new century. Since then the BBC and ITV have set up shop near here and added even more glass and chrome to the waterways. It holds a large gallery dedicated to the work of Salfordian artist LS Lowry as well as other temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Also expect plenty of films, talks, theatre, comedy and workshops in their various auditoriums.
John Rylands Library
Quite possibly the most beautiful building in Manchester, the John Rylands is a neo-Gothic library slap bang in the middle of the steel and glass structures of Deansgate. Sometimes you have to remember how remarkable this city is. Once inside you will find a library containing a dazzling array of rare books and manuscripts dating from ancient times – most famous of which is the papyrus fragments containing some of the earliest depictions of bible stories. The public are welcome to take advantage of the lavish study space, as well as explore the whimsical cloisters, impressive stained glass windows, and twisting staircases.
Salford Lads Club
Perfect for fans of The Smiths, or just music in Manchester in general, Salford Lads Club is a venue and artspace with heaps of history. You might not know it’s completely free to visit. Inside they’ve got their club archive, which brings together membership records, photographs, annual reports and newsletters dating back to 1903, as well as a Smiths Room which is dedicated to the band and the famous period of the city’s history which shaped them.
Central Library
Central Library stands proudly in all of its Gladiator-esque splendour right in the heart of St Peter’s Square, easily one of the most iconic buildings in Manchester. Libraries are not just for books, and the Central Library takes this further by offering a load of things for you to see and do for free. Additionally, there is a jam-packed diary of author readings, talks, writer workshops, gigs, film nights, live performances, open-mic evenings and creative courses as part of the Library Live programme – pretty much all for free.
Manchester Cathedral
2021 marked the 600th anniversary of the Royal Charter that established Manchester Cathedral, and there’s been a place of worship on this spot ever since the 1400s. Any visit to the Cathedral uncovers plenty to marvel at, including some stunning stained glass windows. There are free guided tours generally available for individuals and families from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm, and entrance is free too. There is a suggested donation of £3 to help support the running costs of the Cathedral. If you can catch a concert or poetry reading here, you should absolutely do that too.
Rochdale Pioneers Museum
Located on Toad Lane in the centre of Rochdale, this Museum is housed in what is regarded as the home of the worldwide Co-operative movement. Back in 1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened their first little store selling food at fair prices and started a revolution in retailing which has played a significant part in our lives ever since. The ground floor faithfully recreates the original shop and in the display and exhibition area you can learn of the inspiration the Pioneers received from visionaries such as the great social reformer Robert Owen.
Affleck’s
Housing over 60 individual traders over four floors, a visit to Affleck’s is a rite of passage for any self-respecting Manc. Whether you gravitate more towards piercings, vintage clothing, crystals, plants, sneakers or sandwiches – there’s something for anyone with a penchant for things with a weird, wonderful or whimsical tilt. Truly a Northern Quarter institution since it was established in 1982, even if you’re not spending money, it’s well worth spending an hour mooching around these hallowed nooks and crannies.
Castlefield Gallery
40 years in, Castlefield Gallery has a proven track record of showcasing the city’s most interesting and innovative artists. Located on the corner of Deansgate and Hewitt Street, it’s always worth taking a look at whatever current exhibition is on, from group shows to emerging stars, spanning painting, sculpture, pottery and more.
Free Manchester Walking Tours
Every day at 11am, walking tours depart from the famous Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens. Pretty self-explanatory, the blue jacket-wearing tour guides tell the story of the city over the course of three hours, taking in iconic landmarks like the Town Hall, John Rylands Library and the Royal Exchange Theatre, as well as iconic locations from the city’s more recent cultural history. It’s fully accessible and suitable for people of all ages. They operate a ‘pay as you feel’ policy, so even if you’re a Manchester native, it’s well worth doing one day.
Cosgrove Hall Films Archive
Manchester institutions don’t come more revered than the legendary Cosgrove Hall. Home to some of the most memorable and beloved animation series of the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s – before it closed its doors in 2009 – the work of Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall, alongside countless supremely talented artists and puppetmakers, still resonates today. The likes of Danger Mouse, Postman Pat, Chorlton and the Wheelies, Noddy, Count Duckula and The BFG were all brought to life from their studio in – where else – Chorlton. Now a permanent archive of their work – from miniature sets to original armature figures – has taken residence in Sale Library, and it’s free to go.
Fletcher Moss
Out in Didsbury is one of Greater Manchester’s prettiest green spaces, Fletcher Moss. It’s part garden, part wildlife habitat, which means you can find both wide open spaces and dense abundance of flora and fauna, all withinn one sprawl of connected green spaces. There’s a cute cafe, tennis courts and even the historic former come of Emily Williamson – co-founder of the RSPB. What more you could want from a park, we cannot imagine.
Take a self-guided street art tour around the Northern Quarter. This ever-changing, open air gallery is always worth an hour or so of your time. In a fairly dense area, you can stumble across a number of impressive works from well-known and emerging muralists. Basically, head for Stevenson Square and head outward in any which way you chose. Port Street, Tib Street, Thomas Street and Oak Street all make for essential viewing.
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