Manchester Art Gallery
Pre-Raphaelites, Lowry and a strong programme of contemporary shows, free, in the centre.
The gallery's Victorian collection is one of the best outside London, with Ford Madox Brown's Work and Waterhouse's Hylas and the Nymphs. It is free, central and rarely crowded, which makes it the easiest rainy-hour in the city. The café is good for a pause between galleries.
When it works
Indoors, so the weather does not matter. Best morning, afternoon.
Good for a date, going solo and step-free visits.
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Opening hours and prices change; the official site has the current ones. See everything in Manchester ranked for right now.