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Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

Imperial War Museum North

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Imperial War Museum North

IWM North is one of the five branches of the Imperial War Museums - the only one outside the South East.
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Visit the award-winning IWM North, part of Imperial War Museums, and experience amazing personal stories in Daniel Libeskind’s iconic building on the Quays. The award-winning Big Picture Show is a 360-degree audio-visual experience unique to IWM North. Using surround sound, projected moving images and photographs, the show brings to life people’s experiences of war. It immerses you in the action,

creating a sensory experience which is totally involving, and often moving. See the moving artwork Poppies, now on permanent display. The installation is one of many artworks at IWM North created in response to war and conflict, including the architecture of the building itself. Our dedicated team of volunteers are on hand to help you with your visit. Look out for veterans on selected days who tell stories about their service. Enjoy handmade, locally produced food and cakes in our Café & Kitchen and browse retro gifts and souvenirs our onsite shop. Our social media house rules can be found here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/policies/social-media

19/05/2026

Join us for a relaxed late opening at IWM London or IWM North. These sensory-friendly events are suitable for individuals or families with members who may have sensory processing differences, autistic spectrum conditions or would otherwise benefit from a quieter environment.

25/04/2026

Scenes from the Merchant Seamen's Hostel, located at 14-16 Lovaine Place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1941.

The first photo here shows Mr Koi Obuadabang-Larbi, BA, Superintendent of West Indies House, posing for a portrait outside the hostel. Mr Larbi was originally from the Gold Coast. The next two show merchant seamen enjoying a meal of rice and peas in the dining room and playing a game of snooker.

Images: IWM (D 5768) / IWM (D 5757) / IWM (D 5758)

22/04/2026

IWM North is proud to partner with Salford City Council in honour of Salford 100: Salford’s city status centenary.

Join our eye-witness volunteers, Brian and Norma, in gallery where they will be exploring their childhood memories of Salford during the Blitz, Evacuations and VE Day.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vHhd4e

01/04/2026

Spend family time learning together at IWM North!

Discover the exciting 'Spies, Lies and Deception' family trail, join us for Spy School or explore the story of John Cancellor, who worked behind enemy lines as a wireless operator during the Second World War.

Also, experience our popular We Were There session and meet veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict, taking place on selected dates.

23/02/2026

Fifty years ago today, L. S. Lowry died aged 88.

Lowry painted 'Going to Work' at the height of the Second World War. Commissioned by the War Artists Advisory Committee (WAAC) in 1943, the painting celebrates the crucial role heavy industry was playing in the war effort.

Lowry's depiction of industrial working life is on display at IWM North. Plan your visit here: https://bit.ly/4kEFp21

Image: IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 3074)

22/02/2026

At IWM, we're keen to better understand our online audiences. Your answers to our survey will help guide our future content.

As a thank you, you’ll have the chance to enter a free prize draw to win one of ten £50 vouchers.

Take part here: https://bit.ly/4aI7Pnn

T&Cs apply. IWM (TR 1543)

11/02/2026

Lance Bombardier Jack Grundy of the Royal Artillery embraces his wife Dorothy and children Randall and Gilda at his home in Irby in Cheshire, at the start of seven days leave, 14 April 1944.

Image: IWM (TR 1643)

04/02/2026

Some of the objects currently on display at our exhibition 'Spies, Lies and Deception'.

The first is a pair of footprint overshoes, created for Special Operations Executive agents operating in South-East Asia during the Second World War. Strapped on top of the wearer’s shoes, they could disguise both someone’s footprints and the direction they were walking in.

The next is a pencil concealing a hidden blade, designed and made in one of Special Operations Executive’s secret workshops. The blade could be removed from inside the pencil using a spiral of twine circled around it.

The third image shows a hollow battery made during the 1960s for Secret Intelligence Service - also known as MI6 - agents to hide reels of miniature film.

The final object is a box of matches containing one match specially adapted for writing secret messages. Double agent Eddie Chapman, who was sent to spy on Britain in the Second World War, was equipped with matches like these.

These and many other fascinating objects are on display at IWM North until 31 August. Learn more about the (free) exhibition here: https://bit.ly/4rx96FB

Images: IWM EQU 12207 / IWM WEA 4147 / IWM EPH 10072 / IWM EPH 178

03/02/2026

Colour photographs take during a 42nd Armoured Division exercise near Malton in Yorkshire, 29 September 1942.

The first photo shows Commander-in-Chief Home Forces General Sir Bernard Paget watching the exercise from a Crusader tank, with the Division Commander, Major General M C Dempsey, DSO, MC.

The second shows Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Mr Anthony Eden in battle-dress overalls in the turret of a tank during the exercise, while the third shows Eden talking to a tank officer of the division during a halt in the exercise.

You can find more wartime colour photographs in our online collections here: https://bit.ly/3BseeWh

Images: IWM (TR 157) / IWM (TR 154) / IWM (TR 158)

23/01/2026

Please note that the Main Exhibition Space at IWM North will be closed today, Friday 23 January 2026.

The Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition, the cafe and the shop will remain open all day. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

14/01/2026

Join us for a relaxed late opening of IWM North, a sensory-friendly event for families and individuals.

The event is suitable for individuals or families with members who may have sensory processing differences, autistic spectrum conditions or would otherwise benefit from a quieter environment to explore the museum, as well as participating in family-friendly activities.

Address

The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road
Manchester
M171TZ

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+442074165000

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north

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