Manchester Craft and Design Centre is a beloved Northern Quarter institution housing over 20 independent designer-maker studios, a free exhibitions programme and the much-loved Fred's Café — a haven for craft lovers, curious browsers and creative community alike.

Manchester Craft and Design Centre | Places to Visit in Manchester

• Opening Hours:
  • Monday to Saturday: 10am–5.30pm
  • Second Sunday of the month: 11am–5pm
• Location: 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JD
• Suitable for: All ages
• Booking: Free entry — no booking required. Craft workshops bookable in advance via the website
• Website: https://www.craftanddesign.com
• Contact: 0161 832 4274

Manchester Craft and Design Centre has been a home for some of the region's most talented independent designers and makers for over 40 years. Set across two floors of a characterful Northern Quarter building, the centre's 20 working studios offer a rich and varied shopping experience — with textiles, jewellery, accessories, ceramics, glass, prints and homeware all made and sold by the makers themselves. Browsing here feels far removed from the high street, with the chance to meet the people behind the work and discover the stories and skills behind each piece.

Alongside the studios, the centre runs a free exhibitions programme celebrating regional, national and international craft talent, open during regular centre hours. A regular series of hands-on craft workshops also takes place in Space2 on the ground floor, covering everything from silversmithing and glass work to botanical dyeing — suitable for a range of abilities and bookable via the website.

Fred's Café is the centre's much-loved on-site café, serving freshly made food inspired by classic British staples with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Open for coffee and breakfast snacks from 10am and lunch from 12pm, Fred's is open Tuesday to Saturday and on the second Sunday of the month. The centre is a registered charity and welcomes donations and volunteers to help support its ongoing work with makers and the creative community.

Photo credit: https://www.craftanddesign.com