Hotels near People's History Museum

The People's History Museum tells the story of British working life and political organising, and it holds the largest collection of trade union and political banners in the world - more than 400 of them, some dating to the 1820s. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of GBP 5. The two main galleries cover 1819 onwards, starting with the Peterloo Massacre, which happened about ten minutes' walk from the front door. The Conservation Studio has a viewing window where you can watch textile conservators working on banners in real time.

Ninety minutes covers both floors. The building is a converted Edwardian hydraulic pumping station on the Irwell, which is worth noticing from the outside before you go in. It closes on Mondays and Tuesdays outside school holidays, so check before you walk over.

Pro Tip: Combine this with the Peterloo Memorial outside Manchester Central on Windmill Street. Seeing the banners first and the memorial second makes far more sense of both than doing it the other way round.