Manchester Museum, where everyone belongs…

Your visit to Manchester Museum begins here. Our friendly Visitor Team are ready to greet you, answer questions and help you make the most of your time with us, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. 

Here you’ll meet two of our most remarkable objects. The first is Maharajah, a magnificent Asian elephant whose story tells of a 10-day walk from Edinburgh to Manchester with his keeper Lorenzo Lawrence in 1872. His journey, preserved in bone, reminds us how deeply human and natural histories intertwine. 

Nearby stands our Japanese Incense Burner, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, rich with symbolism and myth. Every detail tells a story of belief, beauty and connection across cultures. 

Take a moment to enjoy this space and the stories it holds, before you explore the galleries beyond and begin your own journey of curiosity and wonder.