Daniel Libeskind designed this building, basing it on a smashed hollow globe. It is set very impressively in the docks of the now retired Manchester Ship Canal, once one of the busiest ports in England. I love approaching from the Lowrie (where there's a large carpark) and crossing the footbridge to get to it. The building seems to be built slightly off true vertical which makes the climb up the first stair case a little virtiginous. Every time I go, I find another little gem of history, always very personal to the previous owner.

There are slide shows and film clips which are very cleverly edited and complimented with sound effects in the main gallery which are projected onto various walls around you.(Sounds odd, it's a little difficult to describe but well worth watching) Smaller children might find these a little loud and frightening but older ones seem to be fascinated. It has a very good website: http://north.iwm.org.uk/

This museum, or rather more technically it is a branch of the Imperial War Museum, opened in 2002.

The best way to reach it is over the footbridge from the Lowry centre, access to which is described on its own page. The architect responsible for the design is Daniel Libeskind who has been associated internationally with some of the most exciting of recent projects. The idea of the exterior is a shattered world and three shards being put together. Whatever it is , it is an exciting use of modern materials and you would learn more about it by going to http://www.iwm.org.uk/north/0101.html than I could hope to describe.

Entry is through the highest shard where there is a lift up to a viewing gallery. Un fortunately this was not functioning when I visited so this is still a treat in store. I have little doubt that it gives a magnificent view.

The main exhibitions could be said to be an anti-war museum, the only type which I could ever really commend. It is geared entirely to the 20th century and concentrates on the effects of war. Much is in darkness for about 15 minutes in each hour when the big picture is being shown. There are three which are shown in rotation so that it would take 2¼ hours to see all of them even if you arrived for the start of one! As we arrived a film on 'Why war?' was just finishing.

The whole is divided into a number of parts representing the different phases of the 20th century; 1st world war, inter-war years, 2nd world war, cold war and the end of the century.

Then there are a number of themes illustrated such as Women and war, Science and war and Legacy of war. There is nothing about the glory of war!

Entry is free.