Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, showcases diverse collections in natural history, archaeology, and anthropology.
Planning your visit
Manchester Museum belongs to the university and reopened in 2023 after a major redevelopment, and its collections cover natural history, archaeology and anthropology across around 4.5 million objects.
The Egyptology holdings are among the most significant in Britain outside London, built substantially from excavations funded by Manchester cotton money in the late nineteenth century, and the museum has led on scientific analysis of mummified remains. The vivarium keeps live frogs and reptiles as part of an amphibian conservation programme. Fossils, including the Stan cast, and the natural history galleries cover the rest.
The redevelopment added a South Asia Gallery, developed in partnership with the British Museum and with a collective of Manchester residents of South Asian heritage — a genuinely different curatorial model — and a Chinese Culture Gallery.
The museum has been active on repatriation, returning objects to Aboriginal Australian and other communities.
Admission is free. Allow two hours. Bookable options include private guided tours. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is Manchester Museum?
Manchester Museum is in Manchester, United Kingdom. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Manchester Museum?
Allow two hours. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Is Manchester Museum free to enter?
Yes, general admission to Manchester Museum is free. Guided tours and special exhibitions may still be charged separately.
What are the opening hours of Manchester Museum?
Monday Closed. Hours change on public holidays, so check the official site before travelling.
Do I need to book Manchester Museum in advance?
Private tours are arranged for a set date and time, so they need booking in advance.
