UK Museums: Greater Manchester Police Museum, Manchester
Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives
The Greater Manchester Police Museum in Manchester is a fun museum mostly aimed at school groups but of interest to visitors of any age. It is located in the Northern Quarter of the city close to Piccadilly Gardens.
Visitors can learn much about the history of the local police and criminality in the city.
History
The Police Museum is housed in a former Victorian, brick police station. It was set up in 1981 and is funded by the Greater Manchester Police as well as by private donations from individuals.
Police Museum Exhibits
The building is on two floors. The ground floor includes the former police cells. There are exhibits of police uniforms, police helmets, trucheons, handcuffs as well as some of the fearsome weapons used against the police.
There are also collections of police vehicles including motorbikes and police cars. On the days when the museum is open, police cars can also be seen parked in the courtyard at the back. On the day we visited there was a police car marked for policing the gay quarter of Manchester near Piccadilly Station.
The history of the police force in Britain is covered along with women in the police.
The second floor includes a court room and more exhibition galleries.
The museum includes wall panels detailing famous crimes in Manchester such as the gruesome Kingsway Murder in 1970. There are also details on famous police detectives and the first facial reconstruction done in Greater Manchester in 1981.
Also an archive, the museum has a huge collection of various written documents. These include personnel records for police officers, including personal memorabilia, manuals and administrative records. Access to the archive is by appointment only through the official website (see below).
The museum has a small shop on the ground floor.
Access - Getting to the Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives
Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives (www.gmpmuseum.co.uk)
57A Newton Street
Manchester M1 1ET
Tel: 0161 856 4500
Hours
Open every Tuesday 10.30 am - 3.30 pm. Private tours can be booked on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. During school holidays in Manchester the museum is also open on Thursdays.
Public Transport
Piccadilly is the nearest train station. The New Islington Metrolink stop is a 15-20 minute walk away but Market Street Metrolink stop (6 minutes) and Piccadilly (10 minutes) are both nearer.
The Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives is not far from both the Arndale Center and the National Football Museum.
Related
Map
Hotels
Manchester's hotels are congregated around Piccadilly Station, Deansgate and Oxford Road. Accommodation options in Manchester are many and varied, from budget backpackers to lap-of-luxury boutique hospitality establishments - and everything in between. The following is a list of recommended accommodation options for a stay in Manchester that you'll remember for its good value, hospitality and convenience.
Standout names for luxury accommodation in Manchester include the Edwardian Midland Hotel and Kimpton Clocktower (formerly The Palace until 2016). The Manchester Hilton is housed in the city's tallest skyscraper the Beetham Tower.
Other recommended places to stay in Manchester include the five star Lowry Hotel, the four star, city center Holiday Inn Manchester, the Holiday Inn Hotel Media City and the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
The Dakota Manchester, with its restrained, stiff-upper-lip exterior, is the ultimate in understated loungy comfort. The sophisticated decor is of subtle wooden and metallic tints and shades, and the rooms and premises are as spacious as an English country home. The artistic good taste of this establishment is matched by the warm professional service. The dining is superb, room service is prompt and attentive, and the hotel is accessible for guests with all needs. Centrally located, next to the Rochdale Canal, a 3-minute walk from Piccadilly train station, and a 10-minute walk to Cotton Field Park. Gets consistently top marks for cleanliness, comfort, and great staff - plus free, reliable Wi-Fi.
The Cow Hollow Hotel in Manchester's Northern Quarter is a fascinatingly decorated boutique hotel that offers superb value for money. The staff here get consistently rave reviews for their impeccable hospitality, and the rooms are some of the best equipped you'll find anywhere, with king-size Hypnos beds, the finest cotton bedding, and smart TVs with complimentary Netflix access. The continental breakfast is as generous and delicious as it is healthy, and morning tea and coffee is delivered to your room. Enjoy the rich, artful decor with its rough-edged suaveness and an altogether luxuriously idiosyncratic vibe that will substantially contribute to your best holiday memories. Cocktail lovers will be delighted with the bar. Just 500 meters from Piccadilly Station.
The Staycity Aparthotels Manchester Piccadilly is clean, comfortable, stylish minimalism in as good a location as you could hope for. And very affordable! This centrally positioned, spic-and-span accommodation offers a clean and quiet apartment stay with kitchen facilities (oven, plates and glasses, etc.), bathroom/toilet, bedroom and kitchen/dining room. Bright and hygienic, with comfortable beds, and good staff service. Located in an area of numerous restaurants, and a short walk from Piccadilly Station. Secure carpark. One of Manchester's best on a budget.
See here for a listing of accommodation in Manchester to suit all budgets.
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