Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Alex Saint
Salford museum and art gallery exterior
Tom Jeffs

The Salford City Council-run Salford Museum and Art Gallery is a friendly city museum with special appeal to families (its proximity to Peel Park, which the museum overlooks, helps with the latter). The permanent collection holds a few gems, but the real highlight is Lark Hill Place, a charming Victorian Street installation complete with costumes to wear as you explore.

The building first opened in 1850 as the Royal Museum and Public Library – said to be the first unconditionally free public library in England (the Manchester Free Library opened in 1852 but was the first to be set up under the Public Libraries Act of 1850; the then Royal Museum came under the auspices of the Museum Act).

Since then, the museum has constantly evolved, yet it somehow manages to seamlessly mix original Victorian and later 20th century architectural additions into a unified whole.

Peel Park, The CrescentSalfordM5 4WU View map
Telephone: 0161 778 0800 Visit Now

Accessibility

Wheelchair access to all public areas

Admission Charges

Free

Children and Families

Baby changing facilities

Services and Facilities

Collection, temporary exhibitions, family events and activities, cafe, shop

Opening Hours

  • Tuesday9:30am - 4:30pm
  • Wednesday9:30am - 4:30pm
  • Thursday9:30am - 4:30pm
  • Friday10:00am - 4:30pm
  • Saturday11:30am - 4:00pm
  • Sunday11:30am - 4:00pm

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

What's on near Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Museum displays about the Miners’ Strike
City Centre
Strike! A guided gallery tour

Join a strike themed guided tour highlighting key strikes represented in the museum’s galleries, with a particular focus on objects relating to the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike.

from £0.00

Where to go near Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Laura Daly: The Storm Cone at Peel Park, Salford
Salford
The Storm Cone, Peel Park

The Storm Cone is a digital artwork and soundscape by artist Laura Daly and composer Lucy Pankhurst, which simulates lost park bandstands and explores their forgotten histories.

Manchester
Music venue
Peel Hall

One of a few remaining Gothic concert halls in the United Kingdom. It has tiered seating for 370 and is housed in the Peel Building which stands at the front of the Peel Park Campus.

Manchester
Park
Peel Park

Peel Park in Salford is the oldest public park in Britain and the first of three to be opened in 1846.

Manchester
Gallery
Centenary Building

One of The University of Salford’s School of Arts and Media facilities. The Centenary Building won the RIBA Award and Stirling Prize in 1996 and the Civic Trust Award in 1997.

Salford
Restaurant
Old Pint Pot

This lively spot could be considered a jack of all trades – pub, restaurant, events space and live music venue.

Salford
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GK Gallery

This Chapel Street gallery and tea room hosts 8-12 week long exhibitions giving emerging artists a chance to showcase their work.

Chapel Street
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Islington Mill

A former cotton spinning mill, Islington Mill in Manchester now houses artists’ studios, galleries, a recording studio, a nightclub, cafe and B&B.

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7 Spot Pottery

Part of Salford Makers, 7 Spot is a 360 square foot ceramics studio offering classes and workshops as well as studio space for members.

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