What's On

Exhibitions

Events

Adult programmes and events

Group Tours

Booking Information

Community programmes

Permanent Galleries

To make the most of your visit, why not take one of our popular guided tours? Choose from the options below.

Book our tour and refreshments package and you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a delicious freshly baked scone at a special discounted rate. See below for details.

Please contact us or telephone Meg Parnell on 0161 235 8855.

Free Introduction and Orientation

A short 20 minute introduction to the building and the collection, providing all the practical information you will need.

Themed tours (all 1 hour)

Highlights tour
A one hour tour introducing the gallery and the gems of the art collection.

Manchester tour
Explore artists, art works and decorative objects related to the history of Manchester, from the 18th century to the present day. 

Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art
Get to know one of the best collections of Victorian art in the UK, including our celebrated Pre-Raphelites.

Modern wonders
From Mancunian Impressionism, Surrealism to Post-Modern and contemporary art – the gallery’s collection is a showpiece of modern art movements.

The great outdoors – inside
Take a tour through the gallery’s most beautiful landscapes, from Claude Lorraine, Turner and Constable to Pissarro and Nash.

People power tour
Meet the men and women of the past 400 years - in individual and group portraits in our collection.

Tall tales and classy myths
Every painting tells a story: from classical nymphs and Arthur’s knights to French highway robbers.

Decorative art treasures
From the very small to the very large, in ceramic, metal, wood, glass or new materials - this is a real treasure hunt through our famous collection.

Costs

Entry to the gallery is free

20 minute introduction  FREE, booking necessary

1 hour tour only  £3 per person, £40 minimum charge

1 hour tour with refreshments  £6 per person (minimum charge applies)

Booking

All group visits must be booked in advance.
Please contact us or telephone Meg Parnell on 0161 235 8855.

Confirmation of numbers and full payment need to be sent to the gallery two weeks prior to the visit. For security reasons and for your maximum enjoyment, we recommend that you limit your group to 20 people. Larger groups can be accommodated, but may need to be split into two.

"It was the best guided art tour I had been on! I enjoyed Nirvana's tour as she didn't take it too seriously, made us laugh, and explained the paintings in ways we could understand."

"The talk set the scene and context of the art works in an inclusive and user-friendly way. Our group’s pleasure was much enhanced! "