Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum, located next to the University of Manchester, is an easily accessible cultural extravanganza - with live animals to boot! Their vivarium re-opened at the end of 2013, boasting a large collection of wild amphibians, supporting the museum's mission to save some of the world's most endangered reptiles. Their exhibitions don't just focus on the living: the museum is also home to a predictable yet fascinating number of stuffed animals, ancient relics and even an herbarium. Much more than 'just' a multitude of galleries, Manchester Museum hosts a range of events, for both families and adults. Big Saturdays bring history to life, encouraging children to get a hands-on taste of all the museum has to offer. For adults, there's monthly Urban Naturalists meetings (advice: don't get this confused with naturist. Best to wear clothes for these sessions): an opportunity to educate oneself on all manner of biodiversity topics, from on-trend foraging to learning more about, er, moss and lichen. There's also regular talks and after-hours events. If visiting during the day, there's a space within the museum for chowing down on your own packed lunch - or there's a number of cafes nearby. [Anna Tully]