A Really Interesting and Fun War Museum! (The Imperial War Museum North (Manchester))

Member Name: ns1209

Product:	The Imperial War Museum North (Manchester)
Date:	09/04/09 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting, fun, free, good for children

Disadvantages: You might not get a chance to visit it!

I went to the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester just to pass a couple of hours while we happened to be in Manchester as we were going to watch Manchester United vs. Aston Villa at Old Trafford (what a great match that was!)

On the second floor there are all the various exhibitions are and there are two rooms one for the main exhibition and one for special exhibitions which are not always there.

Every hour in the Main Exhibition there is the award winning Big Picture show which shows different parts of the War and there are 3 different shows which last between about 12-20 minutes. These shows are projected onto the walls and there are various sounds and music going on and it really is brilliant!

I think that this Museum is really good and is well worth a visit. The museum is nicely laid out and there are some very interesting displays.
In the middle of the displays there are various large objects like a Russian tank which was my favourite as it was so impressive. You are not allowed to climb on these objects but can look around them and read the notices about them.

There are also lots of fun and interactive displays called action stations. One of these involved different coloured lights flashing on and off and you having to work with someone else to press the light that is flashing at the bottom which teaches children about the importance of teamwork.

Overall this museum is really good and great for children to visit too. The museum is also free to enter but at the start they offer you to buy a guide book for about £4 which to be honest were not very good but it does help the museum expand and improve.

There is also a gift shop with some good posters and some other souvenirs and war items but they are very expensive!

You can also go up a thing called the Air Shard for about a £1 which gives you a view of Manchester and is a massive viewing platform.

I would say this museum is well worth a visit if you are nearby or on holiday but I don`t think it will last a whole day but there are various other things nearby like the Lowry and of course Old Trafford and also a shopping centre with a cinema!

OTHER INFORMATION

Opening times (taken from the http://north.iwm.org.uk/ which is the official website.)

The Museum is open 7 days a week:
1 March - 2 November 10am - 6pm
3 November - 28 February 10am - 5 pm
Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing.

Address

The Quays
Trafford Wharf Road
Manchester M17 1TZ

Summary: If you are nearby visit this museum!