The Whitworth

The Whitworth is an art gallery of the University of Manchester, set in Whitworth Park on Oxford Road in Manchester, England. Entry is free, and the building combines its original brick gallery with a modern extension of glazed walkways and a cafe that project into the surrounding trees, so that the park becomes part of the visit. The collections include fine art, with drawings, watercolours and prints by British and European artists, as well as important holdings of textiles and wallpapers that reflect Manchester's industrial history. A rotating programme of contemporary exhibitions fills the galleries throughout the year, and the displays change often enough to reward repeat visits. The gallery also runs talks, workshops and family activities, and it has a shop and a cafe overlooking the park. A typical visit takes one to two hours, and the park outside is a pleasant place to extend the visit with a walk or a picnic when the weather is good. The Whitworth is usually open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 and closed on Monday, with hours listed on the website. Weekday afternoons are generally calm, while weekends and school holidays draw more visitors. Buses 42, 43 and 142 run along Oxford Road from the city centre, and the walk from Piccadilly station takes about twenty-five minutes. Manchester Museum is on the same road and makes a natural companion visit. The architecture, with its glass walkways and views of the park, is a draw for photographers, and personal photography is generally permitted in the galleries unless a sign says otherwise.