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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Emma Gill & Liv Clarke

The free ‘hidden gem’ Greater Manchester museum you can visit this May half term

Greater Manchester is home to a wide range of museums, covering everything from football to science and industry. Yet there’s probably one you’ve walked past dozens of times without even realising, and it’s certainly worth a visit during the the school holidays.

Located on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter, the Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives explores the history of the city’s police force. It’s housed in a former police station dating back to the Victorian era.

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Founded in 1981, the museum has been recognised twice by Visit England as a ‘hidden gem’ and it’s received rave reviews from visitors. Step inside and you’ll discover Victorian-style prison cells and a courtroom.

It’s packed full of old artefacts which will intrigue any budding police officers or detectives. The exhibits take you on a journey through policing over the years until the modern day.

Although usually only open on Tuesdays, the museum extends its opening hours during the school holidays and will be open from 10.30am to 4pm on Tuesday, May 30 and Thursday, June 1.

Free family fun is promised, with last admission at 3pm. No booking necessary, so just turn up on the day.

Open days focus on different units within the police force from the North West Underwater Search and Recovery Unit to the Tactical Dog Unit and the North West Ambulance Service. For more information, visit the museum's website here.

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