Imperial War Museum North

Imperial War Museum North stands on The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, on the Manchester Ship Canal in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, England. Designed by Daniel Libeskind and opened in 2002, the building is made of three interlocking aluminium-clad shards, representing a globe shattered by conflict, which are called the Earth, Air and Water shards. Inside, the main exhibition space explores how war shapes lives, from the First World War to current conflicts, through objects, personal stories, photographs and film rather than a purely military focus. The central feature is the Big Picture show, in which images and sound are projected onto the walls of the main hall at set times through the day; during these shows the lights dim and visitors stand or sit in the space. The Air Shard also holds a viewing platform that gives views across the Salford Quays waterfront, the Lowry and the Manchester skyline, though the platform is occasionally closed. Entry to the permanent galleries is free, with donations welcome, while special exhibitions are ticketed. A visit usually takes about two hours. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, and weekday afternoons are generally quieter than weekends and school holidays. The best exterior photographs are taken from the canal-side promenade and from the footbridge towards the Lowry, where the angular shards reflect the water. The museum is a three-minute walk from the Imperial War Museum Metrolink stop, about 25 minutes from Piccadilly, and makes a natural pairing with the Lowry across the water. The museum's cafe and shop are on the ground floor, and learning activities for families run during school holidays. Visitors with a particular interest in the Second World War, the Cold War or recent conflicts can use the exhibition themes to focus their time, while those with limited time can concentrate on the main hall and one of the shows.