imperial war museum north

stanksh4food

朋友来曼彻斯特，除著名的球场外，另有一个在附近的大型景点，我是必定会带朋友参观的。而这就是免费入场的《Imperial War Museum North》。首先说外型，其外观不像一般的博物馆，不是设于古建筑内，没有维多利亚的风格，整个设计是现代的，非常 Cyber，单是在河边影低这博物馆的外观，已经教人开心。入场，是免费的，不过若要拍照，你就要事先在入场之前登记，身上没有游客或记者贴纸，职员有权不让你拍照。在此，展览的大部份都是当年二战的各国军事物品，以及一些当年曼彻斯特、利物浦等地的战时照片展览，间中亦有真人表演，演唱当年的军队歌舞，是很值得去参观一下的。

2010Lesley

Very interesting exhibition giving social history of the contribution of the North West to the Great War. Could have spent considerably longer in this exhibition, which was well curated, and displayed. Covered a range of personal histories of heroic acts, both on the battlefield and more widely. Thoroughly recommended.

orlandouk

Amazing War Museum whats free to get in, But you can donate if you like, Its amazing architecture of steel is striking from the outside as well as the inside, the exhibits are amazing and everything about the place is pretty chilling which is based on World War 1 and 2 and more up to date things like a part of structure from the World Trade Centre from 9/11. Its a fantastic museum to see when youre in Manchester.

Unhb

I couldn't understand really why a major museum was so poor in many respects. Firstly, this is not a hands on museum but a hands-off museum. None of the free standing exhibits could be touched - I've always wanted to go inside a tank, through that hole in the front, but no touch it said. Part of the rest of the museum is glass cases with poorly displayed items, as though someone virtually through them in with no thought. Also, for some inappropriate reason the museum seems to be 'arty' - strangely shaped corridors and colours. Also, people falling over each other down narrow corridors yet there are large areas of nothing where people are lost in the void. And huge projections onto unsuitable walls meant much was missed of the image.I couldnt find anything on the Falklands War as well as 18th/19thC wars, the many African wars were contained in a space the size of half a living room, and very little on Hitler. Also, so little on all the British battalions over the years.Entry is free but it's old fashioned and I felt I could have gone on the internet and found out more. Perhaps the North museum is the poor relation of the London one?

Steane

Brilliant, another attraction I can't believe is free... This place is big and built in such a way that you feel slightly disoriented, the walls are at funny angles the floors in places are not level... This of course is done deliberately, several times a day the walls come to life with some amazing videos, plonk you butt on a seat and look at as many walls as possible... I learnt a lot of things here and would definitely visit again... The cafe is reasonably priced and has some nice views... I would recommend going up the tower it's about £1 - £2 ... Very weird experience ....

687DavidL687

Imperial War Museum North is superior in all respects to its illustrious cousin in London. The building is a superb piece of modern architecture. The layout is easy to follow and the exhibits are clearly labelled. This was true of IWM, London until the recent disastrous refurbishment.The First World War exhibition is superb. It focuses on the effects of the War on the people of the North of England, illustrated by poignant hand-written letters. Photographs, film and artifacts tell the story of this transformational time. It even includes a hand-written early draft of Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est.The main exhibit covers all the conflicts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including a Harrier jump jet and a T34 Russian tank. It includes the inter-war years, the Cold War and the conflicts in the Falkland Islands, the Gulf and former Yugoslavia.The British Government's information film, 'Protect and Survive' plays on a continuous loop; describing what to do in the event of a nuclear strike on Britain. Very creepy.The final big exhibit is a piece of shattered steel from the Twin Towers.This museum is definitely not to be missed!

Janet139

Free to enter thought provoking museum. Suitable for all ages. Interesting exhibition depicting life in war time. Friendly staff. Excellent shop and cafe. Well worth a visit.

9anneg

We enjoyed our visit to this museum. The exhibitions are very informative. The drawings/paintings of Afghanistan are really interesting and emotive. We had a lovely meal in the cafe and the views across the water from the cafe are brilliant.

188SoniaB

Visited War Museum 14 Feb 2015 with two children aged 11. Vast spaces of dark emptiness. Dissappointed, not as good as the Museum of Liverpol we saw two weeks before. IWM needs a revamp, too arty farty and not enough to see. Poor coffee/tea area. We should honour the lives lost. Come on Manchester.

A6459VMdavidf

This is a modern museum supposedly dedicated to the people involved in wars but its conception could hardly be less innovative - loads of objects in glass cases essentially. The exhibition takes you chronologically from WW1 through to modern warfare but coverage is patchy. Certainly there are interesting things on display and the Big Picture audio-video shows are quite good (I saw the ones at 11 and 12 on rationing and the home front) but apart from a tank and a plane and a few other objects it is a large empty space in a rather unattractive building. The £1.20 to ascend the viewing tower is probably worth it but you end up in a horrible cage with VERY limited viewing across the new developments on the Salford Quays. It is a free museum however so a visit is recommended - just don't expect too much. The cafe and shop seemed attractive with a decent choice of items.

EllieExplore

Took the boyfriend here to complete his birthday weekend (he is very into history). The war museum was a great addition to the trip. I Went when I was much younger and remember it being very interactive. Now I am older I find it an extremely interesting and a reflective experience, yet once again an enjoyable experience. Would recommend to all ages!!

Northern_Baggie

Visited with my Dad, nearly 80, as part of a day into Manchester. Overall, he came out very impressed and this is a guy who has seen his share of war growing up as a boy in the Black Country.The place is big and contains a variety of exhibits that broadly depict war and conflict through the ages. On our visit, part of the IWM had a special exhibition about WWI which was excellent. The main gallery is much broader and allows you to follow a conflict timeline around exhibits while also having break out areas that focus on particular themes. They have a tactical nuke, presumably deactivated, which is worth seeing while the small number of exhibits from the Nazi concentration camps were also, in my opinion, an important area to show.My father came away saying he'd have to visit again which would also be my own view.If I had a critcism it is that it is a very north west feel. Nothing wrong with that, but it would have been nice to a broader non-London centric from IWM at this regional venue. By the way, this place is free to visit so cough up and give some cash on entry or when leaving.

pinkchicken88

This is a very modern and unique building both inside and outside. Entrance is free. Inside all the exhibits were well presented and I learnt a lot that day. Definitely worth coming to see if you are in Manchester.

Ian348

Excellent , you could spend the day there ,lots to read and the exhibits were very good.great history lesson for myself ,while at school all we got was roman history nothing to do with the last wars.I loved it.

jake1642

This is well worth a visit for the building alone. The fragmentation of the building is reflected in the fragmentation of the exhibits - which all reflects the narrative fracturing of war. while many of the permanent exhibits are found in many museums the special exhibitions are well curated and, in my limited experience, well worth a visit.