The Greater Manchester Police Museum

This museum is only open on a Tuesday, but you can make an appointment if you want to visit during the rest of the week. A real gem, largely due to the people who work here. Struggling to survive as a museum, relying entirely on volunteers to run it and contributions from visitors, this is a rare example of an original Victorian building which has not been turned into a chain bar or café. The guides are friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and more than happy to engage in conversation with every visitor. Particularly worth seeing are the original prison cells which remain exactly as they were when in use. Other items include various confiscated home–made weapons, and more types of handcuffs than you could shake a truncheon at.

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