Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum is The University of Manchester's free museum on Oxford Road, covering natural history, archaeology and world cultures. Highlights include Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex, the Egypt and Sudan galleries, a Vivarium of live amphibians and reptiles, and the South Asia Gallery created with the British Museum.
Photos
Weigang Wei
What to see
Families head first for Fossils and Dinosaurs and Stan the T. rex, then the Vivarium, where many of the frogs and reptiles are critically endangered species. The Egypt and Sudan galleries are a long-standing draw, while the South Asia Gallery and the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery tell stories of migration, friendship and Manchester's communities. The museum's tagline is 'Where everyone belongs', and community voices run through the newer galleries.
Planning your visit
Entry is free. The museum is closed on Mondays and opens late on Wednesdays, which is a quieter time for adults. There are separate pages for accessibility, groups and food and drink on the website, and exhibitions and festival events change through the year. Saturday opens earlier than other days, useful for families wanting a quiet start.
Around the university
The museum sits on the university campus south of the centre, an easy bus ride or walk down Oxford Road. Fiori Cafe is nearby for a coffee, and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and The Refuge on Oxford Street make a good stop on the way back into town. Whitworth Art Gallery is further along Oxford Road if you want to add another free museum.
Highlights
- Free entry
- Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex
- Egypt and Sudan galleries
- Vivarium with live amphibians and reptiles
- South Asia Gallery with the British Museum
Good to know
- Closed Mondays; late opening on Wednesdays.
- Accessibility, group and school visit information is on the museum website.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: museum.manchester.ac.uk