Itinerary Planner

People, Politics & Military Itinerary

From the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 to votes for women thanks to the power of Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragettes, Manchester was a hotbed of political activity. Discover this fascinating and monumental history at an array of the city’s attractions paying homage to politics of all genres.

Day One

IWM North

Trafford Wharf Road, The Quays, Manchester M17 1TZ

FREE ENTRY

Begin at the award-winning, architecturally stunning IWM North.

Permanent collections dating back to WW1 can be found over three levels, while the museum is host to changing exhibitions paying tribute to wars that have shaped the current world.  Learn about real life survivor stories through the hourly multimedia Big Picture Show. Booking at least four weeks in advance entitles you to free coach parking and free passes to the Air Shard Viewing Platform.

Coffee and cake in the museum’s WaterShard Café, a light and relaxing environment offering panoramic views across the quayside, before boarding your coach to Manchester city centre.

People’s History Museum

Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER

FREE ENTRY

A national museum dedicated to the lives of British working class people throughout history; here you can see collections spanning some 200 years of the labour movement. Take a journey through social justice and explore the Revolution, Reformers, Workers and Voters galleries where political posters, banners and photography tell the story of democracy.

Radisson Edwardian Hotel

Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP

Relax over Afternoon Tea at Radisson Edwardian’s Opus One, one of city’s most historic hotels. On 19 August 1819, the Peterloo Massacre occurred on this site and led to the first reform of Parliament in 1832.  The hotel building was formerly the historic Free Trade Hall and today offers a great venue for Afternoon Tea.

Afternoon Tea Packages from £14.95 pp

Day Two

Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives

57 Newton Street, Northern Quarter, M1 1ET

FREE ADMISSION

Experience what life was like in a busy Victorian police station. Carefully restored to portray constabulary life at the turn of the 20^th Century, see where unsavoury criminals were fingerprinted, detained and charged.  Galleries dedicated to the more modern art of crime solving such as forensic science and the museums archives allow you to immerse yourself in audio-visual evidence which plots the evolvement of law enforcement.

Stockport Air Raid Shelters

61 Chestergate, Stockport, SK1 1NE

From £4 per person; Group discounts available.

A network of tunnels that let your group experience what home front life was like during the Blitz. Guided group tours are available through the maze of underground shelters that gave refuge to 6,000 people during the Second World War.

The Museum of the Manchester Regiment

Ashton Town Hall, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6DL

FREE ADMISSION

This small museum tells the story of generations of Manchester regiment servicemen from the last 250 years through thousands of objects including weaponry, uniforms and military medals from major actions in global wars.

The Fusiliers Museum, Bury

Moss Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0DF

Annual passes from £4.50pp, guided tours from £3.50pp

Recording over 300 years of Lancashire Fusilier heritage, explore the impressive commemoration to its most heroic soldiers.  Learn about their stories of bravery and courage and discover the regiments’ connection with many famous faces.