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Art gallery
The Whitworth
University of Manchester art gallery in Whitworth Park, with over 60,000 items in its collection; extended and reopened in 2015.
A mini guide to
Oxford Road & Rusholme
Universities, galleries and the Curry Mile along one long road south of the centre
Photos
1 / 6Welcome to the area
Universities, galleries and the Curry Mile along one long road south of the centre
Oxford Road runs south from the city centre through the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University campuses. It passes the Manchester Museum, the Whitworth art gallery, the Contact theatre and the Royal Northern College of Music, and it continues as Wilmslow Road through Rusholme.
Rusholme's stretch of Wilmslow Road, known as the Curry Mile, has the biggest cluster of South Asian restaurants in the city, alongside Middle Eastern places and sweet shops. The area is a student district, so it is lively and relatively cheap to eat in, with a few quiet corners such as Whitworth Park and the Pankhurst Centre.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Park
Whitworth Park
Public park around the Whitworth gallery, on the east side of Oxford Road.
Museum
Manchester Museum
University of Manchester museum of archaeology, anthropology and natural history, the largest university museum in the UK.
Theatre
Contact
Arts organisation founded in 1972 as a centre for young artists, still in its original building on Oxford Road.
Music college
Royal Northern College of Music
Conservatoire that is also a busy public performance venue; its events are listed on the college site.
Directions Website Report a problem with Royal Northern College of Music
Church
Church of the Holy Name
Grade I listed Catholic church by Joseph Hansom and his son, built 1869 to 1871, with a tower added in 1928.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Oxford Road & Rusholme and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Walk Oxford Road
The Manchester Museum, the Whitworth and the Royal Northern College of Music are all along or just off Oxford Road, so you can see them in one walk.
2
Check opening times
University museums, the Pankhurst Centre, Elizabeth Gaskell's House and Victoria Baths set their own hours, which vary by day. Check each website before you go.
3
Eat on the Curry Mile
Wilmslow Road through Rusholme has dozens of restaurants and sweet shops. Check dietary and licensing details with the venue before you go.
4
Term time is busy
Oxford Road carries heavy traffic and many students in term time. Check opening times before you plan a route.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Oxford Road & Rusholme (area photo): DrPhoenix, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- The Whitworth: Charlesdrakew, Public domain, source
- Whitworth Park: Mosscat, CC BY 3.0, source
- Manchester Museum: DrPhoenix, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Contact: Pit-yacker, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Royal Northern College of Music: Stephen Richards, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Church of the Holy Name: Image-The_Holy_Name_of_Jesus,_Manchester.jpg: The original uploader was Ronaldccwong at English Wikipedia. derivative wo, Public domain, source
- Pankhurst Centre: Kurt Adkins (WebHamster), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Elizabeth Gaskell's House: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Victoria Baths: BesigedB, Public domain, source
- The Curry Mile: Lifeofgalileo, Public domain, source
- Platt Fields Park: Rusholmeruffian, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Alexandra Park: Pit-yacker, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chorlton & Didsbury: Wikidwitch, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Altrincham & Sale: Parrot of Doom, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Northern Quarter & Cathedral: Anthony Parkes, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Spinningfields & Deansgate: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Castlefield & the Canals: Ridiculopathy, CC0, source
- Piccadilly, Chinatown & the Village: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Ancoats & New Islington: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Salford Quays & MediaCity: Rosser1954, CC BY 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Manchester