IWM North

About

One of the most celebrated museums in Britain today, IWM North (formally known as the Imperial War Museum North) is about people and their stories; how lives have been, and still are, shaped by war and conflict.

The award-winning building designed by international architect Daniel Libeskind is a symbol of our world torn apart by conflict and is situated at The Quays, a waterfront destination 2 miles from Manchester city centre.

IWM North uses thought-provoking and innovative display techniques such as the Big Picture, which puts you right in the centre of the experience using a dramatic display of projected images and sound. The Main Exhibition Space also houses thousands of objects from a T34 Russian tank and Harrier jump-jet to clothing, diaries and works of art, as well as a series of family interactive Action Stations.

IWM North offers a great day out for all the family all year round with FREE ENTRY to the Museum, all the exhibitions and a wide variety of family friendly activities.

With free floorplans, trails, and regular tours to help navigate the fascinating building, free self-operated lockers to store bags, lifts to all floors, accessible ground floor toilets and baby changing facilities. The WaterShard Café offers children's portions and lunch bags, and colouring sheets are always available.

An indoor picnic area is also available at weekends and in the school holidays for visitors to bring their own refreshments. The Museum Shop offers a range of exciting and unusual pocket money purchases. Visit the Viewing Platform too for spectacular views over The Quays.

In addition, the varied exhibition and event programme offers activities for adults and families, daily tours and object-handling sessions.

Explore a timeline of conflicts from the First World War to the current day. Get up close to the famous objects you’ve read about in the history books and hear how war has shaped lives through extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Housed in a striking, aluminium clad building – IWM North is the first museum in the UK to be designed by internationally acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind. Sit back and immerse yourself in personal memories of life on the home front, to life on the front line in a powerful 360° cinematic experience and uncover themes of modern conflict through art, photography and interactive displays in our permanent and temporary exhibitions. 

To arrange a group visit to IWM North please visit http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north/groups-schools