IWM North
IWM North
The Quays
Trafford Wharf Road
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M17 1TZ
England
Website
www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north
General Enquiries
Telephone
General Enquiries
0161 836 4000
Fax
General Enquiries
0161 836 4090
This multi-award winning IWM North is a great free day out for all ages. Designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind to represent a globe shattered by conflict, it reveals how war shapes lives through powerful exhibitions, the Big Picture (a 360 degree light and sound show), tours, object handling sessions, and family activities all available daily. Visit the cafe, shop and viewing platform offering views over The Quays.
Venue Type:
Museum
Additional info
Lockers
Locker facilities are available free of charge.
Eating and Drinking
In addition to the WaterShard Café, the Green Room on the ground floor is available for packed lunches. There are vending machines selling cold drinks and snacks. This area is not serviced and groups are kindly requested to clean up before leaving.
Toilets
Toilets are situated on the Ground Floor next to the Shop and include accessible toilets.
Shopping at IWM North
IWM North's Shop provides a wide range of books, CDs, DVDs, clothing and accessories, posters and stationary, souvenirs and gift ideas.
For our younger visitors we have an exciting range of games, toys and souvenirs as well as a selection of children's books. There are also educational resource materials and children's activity books on sale.
The Museum charts world events from 1900 to the present day, examining war and its effect on people and places; from photographs to film, artefacts, weapons and souvenirs the entire experience of war is explored.
Collection details
Aviation, Maritime, Social History, Weapons and War
Remembering 9/11
A British Union flag recovered from Ground Zero in the wreckage of the World Trade Center, New York, is on public display for the first time. The flag is two metres in width and is displayed in the Museum’s In the Spotlight exhibit. The flag was officially presented to Great Britain, on the first anniversary of 9/11, by the people of the United States and it was laid on the altar of St Paul’s Cathedral in a memorial service for victims of the attacks.
A huge section of steel, 7 metres in height and weighing more than a tonne, recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, is also on display. This is amongst the first pieces of steel from Ground Zero to go on display in the UK. The column, thought to be from the North Tower, formed part of a window section from an external wall. The steel, distorted and twisted, is evidence of the massive force and impact of the collapse of the towers.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Main Exhibition Space
Website
http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/in-the-spotlight-remembering-911
Saving Lives: Frontline Medicine in a Century of Conflict
IWM North presents a major new exhibition exploring the difference between life and death on the front line. Told through the words and objects of people who have faced extraordinary situations, this free exhibition is IWM’s first to look at war and medicine. It reveals the life changing decisions made every day by the medics and soldiers currently in Afghanistan, as well as remarkable stories of people caught in harm’s way over the last 100 years of conflict.
Items on display for the first time reveal powerful stories from 1914 to the present day. Unique objects range from the X-ray print of a soldier who almost literally came back from the dead during the First World War, to the heroic story of a British soldier in Afghanistan in 2007, who continued to command his men in battle despite being shot.
Suitable for
- 16-17
- 18+
Where
Special Exhibition Gallery
Website
Big Picture Show
Using surround sound, projected digital moving images and photographs, the show brings to life people’s experiences of war. It immerses you in the heart of the action, creating a complete sensory experience which is totally involving, and often very moving.
The original three shows use IWM's world-renowned collections of photography, art and sound to highlight the themes of the home front, weapons and children’s experiences of war.
Our new Big Picture Show shorts focus on a street bombing in Baghdad in 2007, the experiences of a volunteer nurse in Afghanistan, the theme of Remembrance, and conflict resolution and the notion of truce.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Free.
Website
http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-north/big-picture-show
Iraq: Photographs by Sean Smith
The invasion of Iraq started on the evening of 19 March 2003. To mark the tenth anniversary IWM North launches a new photographic display, by award-winning Guardian photographer Sean Smith. As well as a powerful display in the WaterWay Gallery, six images will be shown in large 5m high frames outside IWM North.
Suitable for
- 16-17
- 18+
Website
http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-north/iraq-photographs-by-sean-smith
Action Stations: The Interactive Timeline
Visit the interactive family Action Stations around the gallery with activities such as exploring the smells and creatures of the First World War trench or revealing the power of the poster during wartime
Suitable for
- Any age
The Crusader by Gerry Judah
Gerry Judah’s striking sculpture on the impact of war and conflict is the first exhibit you will see on entering our Main Exhibition Space.
The Crusader, created by renowned contemporary artist Gerry Judah, is a seven-metre-high, three-dimensional structure covered with a web of war-torn buildings.
This specially commissioned piece is Judah’s own reaction to our themes and architecture. It reflects on modern-day wars, but also resonates with the history of world conflict, making a powerful and thought-provoking statement about the devastating effect of war on our lives.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Free.
Website
http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-north/the-crusader-by-gerry-judah
Introducing the Museum
A guide to the themes, history and design of the Museum suggesting ways of navigating this fascinating building and its varied displays.
Suitable for
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16-17
- 18+
Where
Meet at the Tour Point in the Foyer
Website
Open Studio: Spades not Ships (Ideal for all ages)
Timed to coincide with the launch of the new Big Picture Show Rotten Rationing this is a special family friendly session for all ages. Why were some things rationed during the Second World War? What have spades got to do with ships? Time to think about the heroes of the harvest. How did people on the home front help the war effort by growing their own food? What was the Women’s Land Army? Why was it important for Britain’s farmers to have healthy harvests? Find out more in this creative session for all ages.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
free
Walkabout Performances
A silent masked character is on the loose in the museum. Will you spot this ration-weary 1940s housewife as you drop in on them at one of our Open Studio sessions or in the Main Exhibition Space after the new Rotten Rationing Big Picture Show? Monday 27 and Friday 31 May
11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
11:30am-4pm
Admission
free
Bumpty Bear (ideal for all ages)
Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet
Take part in this family friendly storytelling session about Bumpty Bear and his adventures around The Quays. Learn how friendship and first aid keep this clumsy character smiling.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
free
Open Studio: War and Wardrobes
Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 May
11am – 12.30pm and 3pm – 4.30pm, Learning Studio
Timed to coincide with the launch of the new Big Picture Show Rotten Rationing this is a special family friendly session for all ages. Discover the link between war and clothing during the Second World War. Be inspired by the craft and ingenuity of those wanting to look good on a ration and learning to ‘make do and mend’. Make your own souvenir to take home and keep.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
free
Storytelling Sessions
Meet a host of charming characters and discover tales of adventure in these interactive story sessions. These sessions use a range of family friendly resources ranging from puppets, sounds and smells to archive pictures and replica objects.
Every Saturday at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm
Every Sunday at 11.30am
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Where
Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet
Admission
Free
Website
Horrible Histories®: Rotten Rationing Big Picture Show
Daily from 18 May at 11am with extra showings at 2pm during weekends and school holidays. Running time: 7 minutes.
Step into the horrible world of Rotten Rationing with a brand new, immersive 360-degree Big Picture Show for all the family based on the world’s bestselling children’s history book series, Horrible Histories®, written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown.
Meet Rattus Rattus as he takes you on a journey back to the woeful Second World War, where you can discover foul food, dig for victory, and make do and mend.
Walk into a Northern wartime food market, join in with a sing-a-long and imagine what it would be like to be served squirrel tail soup and sheep's head broth.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
FREE
Website
http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-north/horrible-histories
TimeStack Handling Sessions
Join a member of staff for an opportunity to discover the stories behind the artefacts.
Sundays to Friday at 12.30pm and 3.30pm (not at 3.30pm during school holidays)
Saturdays at 12.30pm ONLY
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Main Exhibition Space
Website
TimeStack Handling Sessions
Join a member of staff for an opportunity to discover the stories behind the artefacts.
Sundays to Friday at 12.30pm and 3.30pm (not at 3.30pm during school holidays)
Saturdays at 12.30pm ONLY
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Main Exhibition Space
Website
TimeStack Handling Sessions
We open up our collections in these themed 20-minute object-handling sessions. Join staff for an opportunity to handle items from the TimeStack and discover the stories behind the artefacts. Daily at 12.30pm, also at 3.30pm Sunday - Friday (not in school holidays)
Getting there
By tram - The nearest Metrolink stations to IWM North are MediaCityUK or Harbour City. Trams run direct from Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield and St Peter's Square. If you're coming from Oxford Road railway station, you will need to travel on foot to St Peter's Square. Take the Eccles service and alight at MediaCityUK or Harbour City. IWM North is a short walk across the canal by footbridge.
By bus - X50 Manchester Piccadilly to Trafford Centre. This service stops at IWM North. This service runs approximately every 15 minutes.
By car/ coach - Leave the M60 at Junction 9 and join Parkway (A5081) towards Trafford Park. At the first island take the third exit onto Village Way; at the next island take the second exit onto Warren Bruce Road. Turn right at the T-junction onto Trafford Wharf Road. Alternatively, leave the M602 at Junction 3 and follow the signs. Secure parking, including designated parking spaces for people with disabilities, is available for 160 cars. Please note a £4.00 charge applies to all parking.
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