Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

People’s History Museum (PHM)

Creative Tourist
People's History Museum Manchester
Image © People’s History Museum

Spinningfields‘ People’s History Museum, home of ‘ideas worth fighting for’, is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the history of British democracy.

The galleries trace a path through 200 years of political campaigning, including the fight for the right to vote, an insight into how time off was won (and spent), and women’s liberation. The family-friendly museum houses approximately 1,500 objects, including the largest collection of trade union and other political banners in the world.

It’s also host to a programme of special exhibitions, and a lively series of events, while the museum’s Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar puts an emphasis on delicious, ethical and sustainable food at this wonderful riverside location, and is worth a visit in itself. The shop at the front of the museum, meanwhile, is a great spot for radical books, toys, gifts and homeware for kids and grown-ups alike.

Left Bank, SpinningfieldsManchesterM3 3ER View map
Telephone: 0161 838 9190 Visit Now

Accessibility

Ramps to the main entrance, Main entrance has automatic opening, Tactile maps, tactile drawings of scenes around the museum are also available, an induction loop is fitted at the museum reception. Infrared hearing loop facilities are available throughout the building (reception, Engine Hall, Coal Store, Meeting Room, Mini Theatre in Main Gallery One, Archive Reading Room and The Left Bank cafe bar). If you are attending a public event or Venue Hire event and need to use the induction loop, please inform a member of staff in advance. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible. All lifts in the museum are wheelchair accessible and the main lift near reception also has audio announcements The main galleries are designed to provide a range of sensory experiences, including several different audio, visual and touch elements. Some of the audio material in the galleries has subtitles or is displayed visually. Wheelchair accessible toilets are available on the lower ground, ground and second floor. Wheelchair accessible baby changing facilities are available in the Parent & Child Room behind reception on the ground floor, ground floor toilets and second floor toilets. Designated on-street accessible parking bays are available nearby. Guide dogs are welcome

Children and Families

Hands-on activities for all ages, in every gallery Regular Family Friendly events, Busy Bee explorer packs for 3-6 year olds, Family Friendly trails, Pocket-money friendly souvenirs, Baby-changing facilities – if you get caught short just ask for a free emergency nappy, Breastfeeding welcome, Children’s menu available at The Left Bank cafe bar, Children’s area in The Left Bank cafe bar, Highchairs available in The Left Bank cafe bar, Bottle warmer in The Left Bank cafe bar, Special discount parking

Commercial and Hire Services

Looking for a genuinely inspirational venue? Then why not hold your event in the company of some of the greatest ever team builders, motivational speakers and passionate problem solvers. The museum has conference and meeting facilities within a magnificently restored historic Edwardian Pump House. Licensed to hold wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions.

Services and Facilities

Cafe open from breakfast to afternoon tea, there's something to suit all tastes. Lockers are located on the lower ground floor of the museum.

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday10:00am - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on at People’s History Museum (PHM)

Featured in

Toddler standing on grass with a paintbrush in hand turning to the right to look at the camera. He is wearing a navy blue rainsuit with a burgundy and navy blue long sleeved tiop underneath. He is standing in front of large cream coloured sheets that have been strung up on a washing line. The sheets have mud marks making on.
Free family things to do in Manchester

The world’s at your fingertips with free history, art, science and creative capers for all ages in Manchester.
things to do with toddlers in Manchester
Things to do with toddlers in Manchester

Read our guide to navigating the city with toddlers and having loads of fun too!

The Little Prince
Things to do over February half-term

Looking for things to do with the family over the February half-term holiday? We’ve got you covered.

What's on near People’s History Museum (PHM)

Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, standing in front of a postbox in a black and white photo with a dripping red paint effect.
MusicCity Centre
Primal Scream at Aviva Studios

Following the release of their 12th album, Come Ahead, the iconic Glasgow band Primal Scream perform in the Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.

from £39.50
Cycles at Aviva Studios
–
DanceManchester
Cycles at Aviva Studios

Exploring the beauty of movement and its euphoric connection to music, the Olivier Award winning hip hop dance company, Boy Blue return with a brand-new show.

from £10.00
See all events

Where to go near People’s History Museum (PHM)

Open Kitchen Cafe and Bar
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Open Kitchen Cafe and Bar

Enjoy a sustainable, ethical, and delicious food experience at Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar, the in-house restaurant and bar at People’s History Museum.

Manchester
Restaurant
Scene Manchester

A stunning restaurant full of wood panelling and designer lamps, specialising in Indo-Chinese street food-inspired dishes.

Manchester
Restaurant
Albatross & Arnold

Albatross and Arnold is a smart and modern bar-restaurant in the Left Bank area of Spinningfields, with an impressive selection of high-quality cocktails.

Manchester
Restaurant
Menagerie

Based in Salford, Menagerie is a bar and restaurant with a focus on luxury and theatrical thrills.

Spinningfields
Restaurant
Australasia

Australasia serves up modern Pan-Asian cuisine, underneath the Spinningfields district in one of Manchester’s most stylish venues.

Manchester
Restaurant
BLVD Manchester

Taking over the space formerly occupied by Neighbourhood, BLVD promises ‘exceptional food and drink’.

City Centre
Bar or Pub
The Oast House

A rustic Kentish Oast House (that’s a traditional hop-drying shed, of course) plunked down amidst the glass and steel corridors of Spinningfields.

Tattu Chinese restaurant Manchester
City Centre
Restaurant
Tattu

Tattu is pulling out all the stops for Halloween, with five days of special cocktails and dishes, plus a Sunday sunset dinner and more.

Club Vino
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Club Vino

Wine-tasting company ran by Italian sommelier and ex-wine merchant Marco Castelanelli. Offering at-home tasting experiences, along with special events in various high-end locations around Manchester.

Manchester
Restaurant
Honest Burgers

This burger joint focuses on high-quality burgers and sides, homemade using local produce. After a series of pop-ups they’ve found a permanent home on Bridge Street in the centre of Manchester.

See all places

Manchester District Guides

Ancoats, Manchester
Ancoats & New Islington

Ancoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city’s most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.
Canal Street, Manchester

Manchester’s picturesque Canal Street and its surroundings constitute what is reputedly the oldest gay village in the country.
Chapel Street, Salford

Chapel Street has the different counter-cultural feel of another city: still industrial, more casual, temporal. Here’s what the area has to offer.
A coffee stand at Levenshulme Market
Levenshulme, Manchester

From cultural points of interest to unique watering holes, explore what Levenshulme has to offer in our guide.

Tib Street, Manchester

It’s not often that you find a street you could while away a whole day on: from beautifully made coffee in the morning, through to shopping, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner…
Cheetham Hill, Manchester

Cheetham Hill gets a bad rap as an area, however as you begin to look round you will find it has plenty to do. Let us be your guide.
Chorlton, Manchester

Chorlton is a left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only 10-odd minutes away by tram). A sprawling hive of artisan coffee shops, boutique clothing stores,…

Culture Guides

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

Section of Tapestry depicting a couple eating fish and chips
Tours and Activities in the North

While spring takes its sweet time to arrive, we've assembled a selection of indoor Tours and Activities that will have you feeling cosy and comforted.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.