PHM is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. The museum provides opportunities for all people to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all.
PHM's programme for 2020 to 2021 explores migration, co-created by a Community Programme Team made up of people whose lives have been shaped by migration. This is PHM's most ambitious programme ever, starting during the year in which the museum marked its 10th birthday. The museum celebrated its 10th birthday as the home of ideas worth fighting for in 2020.
PHM's programme for 2020 to 2021 explores migration, co-created by a Community Programme Team made up of people whose lives have been shaped by migration. This is PHM's most ambitious programme ever, starting during the year in which the museum marked its 10th birthday. The museum celebrated its 10th birthday as the home of ideas worth fighting for in 2020.
Services
The museum is located on the corner of Left Bank and Bridge Street in the Spinningfields area of Manchester city centre. Starting at Peel Park (the first public park in Britain!), pop in to see our friends at Salford Museum and Art Gallery or look around the gardens by the River Irwell. From here it's an easy stroll down Chapel Street.
People's History Museum, the national museum of democracy, holds the largest collection of political material in Britain. People's History Museum (PHM) is the UK's only museum entirely dedicated to sharing the stories of the revolutionaries, reformers, workers, voters and citizens who championed, then and now, for change and rallied for rights and equality.
Learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all. These online learning sessions have been created for groups. The sessions can be adapted to suit different ages and needs, and learners can participate from home, school or other places of learning.
A unique venue of Manchester: try People's History Museum, a venue for a meeting of minds. The museum's conference and meeting facilities are within a magnificently restored historic Edwardian Pump House. By booking an event at the People's History Museum (PHM) you are truly benefitting from meeting in a genuinely inspirational museum that is situated in the heart of the Manchester's city centre Spinningfields.
Our vision is for a fairer society where people's voices and actions can make a difference. We aim to inspire you to take action on the issues important to you by sharing inspiring stories of activism through our galleries and ongoing programme of learning and events, . The museum and all of its exhibitions are free to visit, and we also share free digital resources on our website.
Reviews (29)
Charlotte Gunnell
Jan 30, 2022
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Sarah Kramer
Jan 28, 2022
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My favourite part of the Museum was finding out more about Jo Cox and her legacy. This was truly inspirational. This Museum was everything I'd read in the reviews so fascinating. Was particularly struck at how the Museum is so interactive, providing education to people with such a diverse range of backgrounds and ages.
Matt Fairclough
Jan 05, 2022
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Erin
Dec 29, 2021
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Sophia Bee
Dec 21, 2021
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This is all about people power, people! The museum houses a very comprehensive collection of artifacts and items relating to the people's struggle for social and political reform. This celebrates those named and unnamed brave men and women who fought against disparity and oppression.
If you have a rebellious heart or an interest on social/political history, it's worth a trip to Manchester just to visit here. The exhibition is well set out in relation to timeline, and very accessible across age groups. You will find some wonderful examples, too, of artwork through these times, in both posters and
If you have a rebellious heart or an interest on social/political history, it's worth a trip to Manchester just to visit here. The exhibition is well set out in relation to timeline, and very accessible across age groups. You will find some wonderful examples, too, of artwork through these times, in both posters and
Laura Grevel
Dec 14, 2021
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Local Guide Mcr Adam
Nov 26, 2021
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Shox Wake
Nov 08, 2021
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Wonderful museum of social history, a place everyone should visit, makes you aware of many things that should never be forgotten, has some great exhibits and some ongoing preservation projects, it's free to visit but donations keep the museum open I had a very pleasant and Informative visit, staff were very helpful.
Dominic G.
Oct 24, 2021
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Daire McCormack-George
Sep 14, 2021
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Maria Li Lok Yee
Sep 01, 2021
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Karen Thomson
Aug 19, 2021
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Zena Aris-Sutton
Jul 15, 2021
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Good museum to learn all about history and how people got different right, such as voting and worker rights. A few things about to interact with like the match game and women's rights board game, but seemed like lots has been removed due to Covid. There was also some lovely temporary display, one an homage to MP Jo Cox and one in LGBTQ+ parents. Also had a cafe onsite which I didn't use and gender neutral toilets.
Keith Thomas
Jun 05, 2021
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Helen Ardrey
Jun 02, 2021
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Jim Moffat
May 24, 2021
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Sinead Murphy
Apr 22, 2020
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Nayma G.
May 06, 2016
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It takes 2-3 hours to see the two main galleries. The time line starts from the early days of the Industrial Revolution and the rights the workers fought and died for. It summarises more than 200 years of rights acquired in this area of the UK. Especially important are the conquest of the female vote and more recently, rights for minorities.
Unfortunately, photographs aren't allowed and the souvenir store lacks interesting objects, such as replicas of the phenomenal posters and pins made by the people.
Unfortunately, photographs aren't allowed and the souvenir store lacks interesting objects, such as replicas of the phenomenal posters and pins made by the people.
Pip M.
Oct 17, 2015
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The People's History Museum is one of a kind. An unashamedly hard-left narrative the exhibits re-frame British history as a working class struggle. The Communist Party was misunderstood, the Labour Party and the Unions the only source of progress, the Tories the root of most evil (the rest is big business). At times this goes to quite amusing extremes, such as a flowchart of British history near the entrance with an arrow directly from 'The Conservative Party' to 'The Great War', but in fairness I found most of the exhibits walked the line between opinionated analysis and
Susan L.
Sep 19, 2015
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Alex B.
Aug 27, 2014
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Gavin L.
Apr 21, 2014
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What a terrible left wing piece of propaganda. Corridor after corridor of flags proclaiming the tin pot workers welfare collective or Chorley east, and lambasting the rich and powerful as though to have money is some kind of social disease that needs to be stamped out by dumping it down a well or giving it to some representative of the people (always a great idea...).
That said, the building is fantastic and if you are a lefty fighting the man then this is a wonderful tour through the people's republic of Mancland. I love Manchester and it has to be said so many good things came through
That said, the building is fantastic and if you are a lefty fighting the man then this is a wonderful tour through the people's republic of Mancland. I love Manchester and it has to be said so many good things came through
Clare N.
Apr 03, 2014
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In common with some other reviewers, I only visited the cafe so cannot review the museum.
There is a range of sandwiches, salads, cakes and hot drinks. Hot food is also available including daily specials. Be sure to get there before 1 for cold sandwiches and salads as they've been sold out every time I've been here (3 times).
Coffee is ok, as was the cray fish salad I had on my first visit.
For me the best thing is the relative quiet and also the big windows with views over the river/canal.
There is a range of sandwiches, salads, cakes and hot drinks. Hot food is also available including daily specials. Be sure to get there before 1 for cold sandwiches and salads as they've been sold out every time I've been here (3 times).
Coffee is ok, as was the cray fish salad I had on my first visit.
For me the best thing is the relative quiet and also the big windows with views over the river/canal.
Rebecca W.
Jul 25, 2013
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Emma Louise M.
Sep 29, 2011
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I'm going to do something really bad right now. I'm going to review a museum... café! Without reviewing the museum itself, you see. So last Saturday I sidled in here, sheltering from the Mancunian drizzle, to get me some lunchtime eats. I was greeted by a very pleasant man who seemed to be running the show by himself, and there were countless comfy sofas and chairs and vertigo-inducingly high tables and stools dotted around. It was quiet, and that's the way I like it.
The Left Bank café's incredibly sleek, as one would expect from a Couture Café enterprise (my, all Manc
The Left Bank café's incredibly sleek, as one would expect from a Couture Café enterprise (my, all Manc
Qype User Mr. Omn
Apr 22, 2011
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Qype User MissCa
Jul 26, 2010
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When I was a schoolgirl, the People's History Museum was the kind of place we were taken on trips, where we'd all be marched in a crocodile formation around a cold imposing building whilst someone lectured us about the chartists. I don't remember much about my first trip there back in 1995, but I can remember that I was bored, my feet hurt and I was more concerned with going home and eating crisps than learning about the history of the working class. Sorry the working class.
So, I didn't really know what to expect when I came back here with my boyfriend a few weeks back.
So, I didn't really know what to expect when I came back here with my boyfriend a few weeks back.
Qype User Franci
Apr 05, 2010
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The People's History Museum has just reopened following a major refit and I'm so glad we have it back! One of Manchester's only national museums, it charts the history of the working classes. With exhibits covering everything from the start of the Co-operative movement and political activism to industrialization and trade unionism, it's really is a fantastic place for tourists and Mancunians alike.
Despite the refit, the Museum has retained many of its best-loved installations, including the badge machine, which allows kids to make a free, lasting souvenir, a mock Co-op
Despite the refit, the Museum has retained many of its best-loved installations, including the badge machine, which allows kids to make a free, lasting souvenir, a mock Co-op
Qype User Montee
Apr 18, 2008
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Really like this place. When upstart students and the New Manc social classes really get me down I head for this little oasis of calm. Its an informal little place full of discintive artifacts of Manchester as a hotbed of radical thought and action. It traces a long history of Manc suffrage, industrial relations, political reform etc etc. There are a load a great photos really dipicting life and the struggle in the slums and the idealism and gallows humour of we northern folk. Take your kids and teach them a lesson in proper values.
