Purpose-built to tell the powerful stories of over a century of war, IWM North makes full use of its extraordinary exhibition space to deliver an award-winning immersive experience.

Opening Times

Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm
Open daily from 9 to 27 February 2022 and from 1 April 2022.
The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1TZ (view map)

Tickets

Free Admission, advanced booking advised for timed entry. Walk up anytime on the day, at busy times you may need to wait.
Coronavirus information
Read our safety information and frequently asked questions.
Book your visit to IWM North

Before you book please consider supporting IWM by becoming a member.

 

As a thank you for your support, you will enjoy free admission to our charging branches including IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast (when reopened).

 

 

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Secrets of the Imperial War Museum

Discover more about the brand new six-part documentary series exploring behind-the-scenes at all five of IWM's branches.
Find out more
Permanent Display

Poppies

Permanent Display

Poppies

Permanent
IWM North
The iconic hand-crafted clay sculptures have returned to Manchester as the brand-new re-imagined artwork Poppies.
Find out more
A close-up of the Poppies sculpture at IWM North

VISIT IWM NORTH

©IWM

VISIT IWM NORTH

Explore the timeline from the First World War to the present day, immerse yourself in the Big Picture Show, discover the forgotten histories of service personnel and civilians and see conflict through the eyes of artists.

This is a place where every object on display, every contemporary work of art and every exhibition is designed to live long in the memory.

Pre-book your visit to IWM North now.

Discover IWM North

  • Exterior of IWM North
    © IWM

    IWM North is part of Imperial War Museums – a world-leading museum on conflict and its impact. Its unique purpose-built exhibition space gives powerful voice to extraordinary stories of ordinary people, forced to live their lives in a world torn apart by conflict.

  • Visitors in the Main Exhibition Space at IWM North
    © IWM

    Walk through a timeline of history from the First World War to the present day. Explore a vast collection of over 2,000 objects, each one with the power to move, surprise, inspire and change your perspective – from the First World War field gun that fired the opening British round on the Western Front, to the twisted rust-ridden steelwork retrieved from the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York. 

  • Big Picture Show at IWM North
    © IWM

    Immerse yourself in the 360-degree cinematic Big Picture Shows that bring a broad range of stories into powerful focus, reflecting not only on the immediate effects of war, but also what happens when the guns stop firing.

How you can help

As a charity, now more than ever IWM needs your support to ensure we can continue to tell personal stories and experiences of conflict for current and future generations to come.

Volunteer Nikki in action

Volunteer with IWM

At IWM we are extremely proud to be a volunteer involving organisation with over 1000 volunteers across our five sites. Our volunteers help bring to life the stories of our collections, care for our many significant objects and promote great customer experiences.
IWM Membership

Become an IWM Member

Help tell the stories that deserve to be heard by supporting us as a member. Uncover a host of benefits including free standard admission to Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast and IWM Duxford.
A Balloon Site, Coventry
© IWM (ART LD 2750)

Donate Now

Make a donation to IWM and help us to tell the stories of those affected by conflict, launch our ground-breaking exhibitions and deliver our world-class learning programmes. 

Home Learning Resources

From spies to submarines and life on the home front, Imperial War Museums is sharing unique and personal stories from our extraordinary collections. 

Adventures in History: Trench Tales - Part One
History

Trench Tales - Part One

Join IWM expert Ngaire this week as she helps us reveal fascinating personal stories from the First World War, from the trenches to the home front.   
Adventures in History: Painting Life graphic
Art, History

Painting Life

Join IWM experts Becky and Paris as they share real life stories of artists, and the invaluable role they played during the Second World War.  
Family Mission: Morse Code graphic
History

Family Mission: Morse Code

Morse code was widely used during the Second World War by Britain’s armed forces. Learn how to use it to send your own messages!

Stories from the museum

No other museum tells stories that matter more than these.

  • ATS girls using an identification telescope.
    ATS girls using an identification telescope. © IWM TR 476

    History

    From the First World War to the present day, explore our articles on war and conflict, and its impact on service personnel and civilians. 

    Browse articles
  • Visitors in the Main Exhibition Space at IWM North
    © IWM

    Museum Collection

    Explore around 800,000 items online that tell the story of modern warfare and conflict, collected by the museum since 1917.

    Objects at IWM North
  • Mike, a veteran participating in IWM's We Were There programme
    IWM

    We Were There

    We Were There is Imperial War Museums’ remarkable programme where visitors can meet real life veterans and eyewitnesses of war. Although it’s not currently possible to meet our We Were There volunteers, you can discover more about the people behind the stories.

    Learn more

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