Imperial War Museum North

Over het museum

IWM North opened on 5 July 2002 in Trafford Park, an area that was a major industrial centre in the Second World War and was heavily bombed in the Manchester Blitz of 1940. It was the first branch of the Imperial War Museums in the north of England. The architect Daniel Libeskind won the design competition in 1997 with a building made of three interlocking shards, representing air, earth and water as fragments of a shattered globe. The entrance is in the air shard, the exhibitions are in the earth shard and a cafe is in the water shard.

The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, regional development agencies, Trafford Council and the Peel Group, among others, and it was completed for less than the original budget after expected lottery money did not arrive. Landscaping around the building was finished in 2009. Entry has been free since opening.

The main galleries show how war has shaped people's lives, using objects, art and personal stories from the First World War to present-day conflicts. Large objects in the main exhibition space include a Soviet T-34 tank, a Harrier jump jet and a Matilda tank. Every hour, the Big Picture Show projects images from the IWM archive onto the walls of the exhibition space, with sound.

Hoogtepunten

• Libeskind-designed building overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal
• Hourly Big Picture Show projected onto the gallery walls
• Large objects including a Harrier jump jet and a Matilda tank
• Timeline of conflicts from the First World War to the present
• Free entry and adventure trails for families

Vaste collectie

• Main Exhibition Space – A timeline of objects, art and personal stories from the First World War to present-day conflicts, with large exhibits such as a Harrier jump jet and a Matilda tank.
• The Big Picture Show – A 360-degree audiovisual show every hour that projects images from the IWM archive onto the gallery walls, with sound and subtitles.

Opgericht

2002

Beheerder

Imperial War Museums

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 2.011

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Entry is free and does not need to be booked. Paid parking is available on site, and some events or special exhibitions may be ticketed.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The entrance on the Quayside is step-free and lifts and ramps serve all galleries, although the floor of the main exhibition space has a gentle slope. Accessible toilets with baby changing are on the ground floor. Induction loops are at the admissions desk, shop and cafe, and portable headsets for the Big Picture Show audio are free from the shop. Three manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge on a first-come basis from the ground floor between the cafe and the toilets. Trained assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls are available. Free sensory backpacks with ear defenders, fidget toys and a simple map can be borrowed from the admissions desk, and a quiet room is on the ground floor. British Sign Language interpretation is shown on the Big Picture Show and the show has subtitles. Large print guides for the main exhibition are in wall slots by the display cases, and seating is available throughout. The Big Picture Show is dark and loud with flashing images; it is announced five minutes beforehand. Fourteen accessible parking bays and two parent and child bays are in the car park.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte

Lifts and ramps serve all floors, but visitors with buggies may want to take care on the sloping floor of the main exhibition space. Baby changing is in the accessible toilets on the ground floor. An IWM North guidebook with fun facts and activities is sold separately. Free adventure trails and family activities every weekend and daily during the school holidays, suitable for children aged 5 to 12.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

By car or coach, leave the M60 at junction 9 and follow the A5081, or leave the M602 at junction 3. Use the postcode M17 1TZ.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Kluisjes

The Cafe at IWM North on the ground floor serves drinks, cakes, sandwiches, salads and hot meals and caters for dietary needs. The shop sells gifts and books. Small lockers cost a refundable £1, and a trolley token costs £2 from the shop.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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