Building IWM North

The building site
The building site

In 1997, after a selection process involving all local authorities and development agencies in the North, Trafford was announced as the preferred location for IWM North. The 5-acre piece of land chosen was part of Trafford Park Industrial Estate.
Building the first floor
Building the first floor

Daniel Libeskind was appointed as architect in 1997. Construction of IWM North began in January 2000 and took over two years.
Construction of the Air Shard
Construction of the Air Shard

Daniel Libeskind's vision for the IWM North building was based on the concept of a world shattered by conflict - a fragmented globe reassembled in three interlocking shards. These shards represent conflict on land, water and in the air.
Building the Main Exhibition Space
Building the Main Exhibition Space

IWM's North's Main Exhibition Space is housed in the Earth Shard, where the floor is shaped to reflect the curvature of the earth.
Redevelopment of the Quayside
Redevelopment of the Quayside

IWM North opened on 5 July 2002. Along with The Lowry Arts Centre, IWM North has played a central role in the redevelopment of the The Quays cultural area.
IWM North today
IWM North today

With new neighbours MediaCityUK and ITV opening on The Quays, 2012 marks the start of an exciting second decade for IWM North.

Main menu

IWM London
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM North
Manchester
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Last admission 4.30pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM Duxford
Cambridgeshire
Open daily

Summer 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm

Winter 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3pm

Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
Churchill War Rooms
London
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
HMS Belfast
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information

Highlights of a Visit

Highlights of a Visit

The field gun that fired the British Army’s first shell of the First World War, on 22 August 1914 near Binche in Belgium, is on permanent display at IWM North.
Highlights of a Visit

From 1914 to the present day every object on display at IWM North tells a remarkable personal story.
The Big Picture Show

The award-winning Big Picture Show is a unique 360° audio-visual experience, showcasing IWM's world-renowned collections of photography, art and sound.

Find out more about the Big Picture Show
Highlights of a Visit

A huge section of steel recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. Distorted and twisted, it is evidence of the massive force and impact of the collapse of the towers.
Highlights of a Visit

Designed by internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, IWM North's iconic structure was inspired by the idea of a world shattered by conflict.

Since opening on 5 July 2002, the IWM North has welcomed over 3 million visitors. Designed by internationally-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the building’s iconic structure was inspired by the idea of a world shattered by conflict. The building was the first in the UK to be designed by Libeskind and, with The Lowry and the arrival of MediaCityUK, has contributed to the regeneration of The Quays area, creating a world class visitor destination for the 21st century. Find out more about the construction of the building by clicking on the tab top left.

Since opening IWM North has:

Won more than 30 awards
Displayed over 1400 documents, objects and artworks in the Main Exhibition Space at any one time
Held more than 60 special exhibitions and displays
Run over 5,500 TimeStack object handling sessions for visitors and built up a collection of over 1,200 objects in the Handling Collection.
Sold over 150,000 guidebooks and 14,000 bouncy balls containing mini-aircraft. Current best–sellers include our Keep Calm And Carry On range and spying specs, which enable you to view what’s happening behind you!

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