Science and Industry Museum
Working steam engines, the story of Cottonopolis, and hands-on galleries in the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station. Free, and the live demonstrations are the bit kids actually remember.
John Rylands Research Institute and Library
Manchester, Greater Manchester
Opened in 1900, the John Rylands is a neo-Gothic library of the kind children assume only exists in films, and the historic reading room hushes even the loudest seven year old. It belongs to the University of Manchester, it is free and there is no booking. You come for the building first and the exhibitions second.
Treat it as a 45 minute stop on a city centre day, and go for older primary children who will enjoy the atmosphere; toddlers will find nothing to do in a room where everyone whispers. The entrance is in the modern extension, round the side of the historic building off Deansgate. People's History Museum is a few minutes' walk away.
What it costs: Free, no booking needed. At busy times there is a queue outside.
Know before you go
- Open Wednesday to Saturday only, 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4.40pm. A Monday or Tuesday visit ends at the door.
- No parking at the library. The nearest NCP car parks are Watson Street, New Quay Street and Blackfriars Street, or take the free city bus to Bridge Street.
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What visitors say
★★★★★ 4.8 across 2,109 Google reviews.
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