Imperial War Museum North

IWM North is the only Imperial War Museum branch outside the South East of England, housed in Daniel Libeskind's iconic award-winning building at Salford Quays, exploring how war shapes and affects people's lives across more than a century of conflict. 

Imperial War Museums North | Museums in Manchester

• Opening Hours: Daily | 10am–5pm (last entry 4.30pm)

• Location: IWM North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1TZ

• Suitable for: All ages

• Booking: Free admission — no booking required. Some special exhibitions may be ticketed

• Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north

• Contact: contact@iwm.org.uk

IWM North is one of five branches of the Imperial War Museums and the first to open in the north of England, launching in 2002. Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the building itself is a striking landmark at Salford Quays — its fragmented, angular form representing a globe torn apart by conflict. Inside, visitors can explore a vast collection of over 2,000 objects spanning from the First World War to the present day, including a First World War field gun, twisted steelwork recovered from the World Trade Center, personal letters, uniforms, weapons and artworks.

A highlight of any visit is the immersive 360-degree Big Picture Show, projected onto the walls of the Main Exhibition Space on the hour, every hour from 10am — a powerful cinematic experience using light, sound and archive footage to bring the stories of conflict to life. Alongside the permanent collection, IWM North hosts a programme of changing temporary exhibitions, and on weekends and school holidays families can take part in free missions, adventure trails and hands-on activities.

The on-site café on the ground floor is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm, serving drinks, sandwiches, hot meals and cakes with a seasonal, locally influenced menu. The museum is fully committed to accessibility throughout the building, with facilities including accessible toilets, a lift and assistance for visitors with a range of needs. A paid car park is available on site, open 9am to 7pm daily.

Photo credit: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north