Blyth Gallery

Amazon house, Brazil Street, Manchester (tel: 0161 236 1004)

Variations on the Seen: A mixed exhibition by seven artists who present their unique interpretations of the Englishness of English Art. Runs until Saturday, January 4 2003, open Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday 11am-3pm, admission free

Bury Art Gallery & Museum

Moss Street, Bury (tel: 0161 253 5878)

Ideas. An exhibition taking a fresh look at the usual seasonal craft show with some of the most innovative and contemporary designers and artists displaying a selection of goods including funky recycled rubber bags, lights made of household objects and a table with saws for legs.Runs until Saturday, January 11 2003, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, admission free

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery

Terrace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire (tel: 01298 24658)

Dance Plastics

Judith Higgins explores the issues of plastic through photography and sculture which was brought to her attention when walking through the Peakland landscape. Runs until Saturday, January 18 2003, open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm and Saturday 9.30am-5pm

Images of the East

Natasha Kumar presents her experiences of the intense culture and timeless realities of daily life from her travels in the East.

Runs until Saturday, January 4 2003, open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm and Saturday 9.30am-5pm

Gallery of Costume

Platt Hall, Rusholme, Manchester (0161 234 1456)

The Needle's Excellency: 17th Century Dress and Embroidery. An exhibition concentrating on needlework and embroidery skills and featuring some of the Gallery's earliest and rarest items including a jewel bright women's cap and matching forehead cloth dating back to 1600. Runs until 2003

The Art of Elegance: Women's Dress 1740-1860

An exhibition illustrating the extravagance and sophistication of 18th century fashion with large scale silk damasks, delicate women muslins and sumptuous coloured wedding dresses.

Runs until 2003

Cover Up

A lively and interactive display featuring galoshes, sou'westers, firefighters' helmets and boxing gloves. Runs until 2003

A Suit of Her Own: A History of the Working Women's Wardrobe

A look at the development of the women's tailored suit from the end of the 19th century when women began to strive for equality with men in the work place and covering the period 1895 to 1918,

Runs until 2003

Quant to Westwood: Fashion Since the Sixties. A display featuring designer outfits from 1960 to 1998 with pieces by Vivienne Westwood, Mary Quant, Biba, Ossie Clark and Zandra Rhodes.

Runs until 2003, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm, adm free

Gallery Oldham

Greaves Street, Oldham (tel: 0161 911 4653)

Adventurous Wild Flowers: Their Art and Science

A major new exhibition exploring the link between humans and wild flowers and featuring flowers that have broken the yoke of human control.

Open Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, admission free

Grosvenor Museum

27 Grosvenor Street, Chester

After the Ball: Fashions 1900-1914

A must for followers of the recent television series The Edwardian Country House, this exhibition displays fashions from above and below the stairs from the early 20th century.

Open Monday to Saturday, 10.30am-5pm, Sunday, 2pm-5pm, admission free

Harwood Library

Gate Fold, Bolton (tel: 332340)

Exhibition of Paintings

An exhibition of paintings by local artist Brian Barlow.

Runs throughout December and January

Harris Museum and Art Gallery

Market Square, Preston (tel: 01772 258248).

In Focus

An exhibition of historic photographs of Preston's Caribbean Community marking Black History Month 2002.

Runs until Saturday, January 4 2003

The Art of the Print. A wide range of material including 16th and 17th century European engravings, 18th century Brtish caricatures, 19th century colour-woodblock prints from Japan and 20th century material. Runs until April 12 2003

Rites of Passage. A collection of Christening, wedding and mourning dress in the Victorian era showing a large display of 19th century costumes.

Runs until October 18 2003, open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, adm free

Manchester Art Gallery

Mosley Street, Manchester (tel: 0161 235 8888)

Enjoy family fun in the interactive gallery with lively exhibits and multi-media facilities or join in the talks and tours about the exhibitions.

Imagine. An interactive exhibition especially for children and families exploring the relationship between art, stories and the imagination.

Runs until Sunday, January 12 2003, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm, free

Landscapes

A collection of atmospheric landscape portraits by Jeff Wall including Dutch landscapes.

Runs until February 2 2003, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm, admission free

Home

A collaboration of work by Dalziel and Scullion featuring a substantial body of video projections, large-scale sculptural pieces and photographs based around Scotland and the glacial landscape of Scandinavia.

Runs until February 2 2003, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm

Thoughts of Life and Death

A selection of photographs including travellers and squatters who have been viewed as outsiders in society, but whose lives are celebrated in this collection of work by Tom Hunter.

Runs until Sunday, January 26 2003, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm

Prints and Drawings from Picasso's Paris

A collection of prints and drawings by the masters who flocked to Paris during the 20th century, including Modigliani from Italy, Ernst from Germany and Picasso from Spain. Runs until February 9 2003, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm, adm free

Mid Pennine Arts

Yorke Street, Burnley (tel: 01282 421986)

Ashes of Roses

Susan Cutts has created a new installation in handmade paper inspired by 18th century church records revealing happy and sad events and other people's memories. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and Tuesday, 10am-1pm

Museum of Science and Industry

Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester (tel: 0161 832 2244)

Spirit of the Games

Due to the immense popular the Museum has extended this exhibition celebrating the atmosphere and excitement of the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony including film footage, the volunteers in action and the baton relay.

Runs until Friday, January 31 2003, open 10am-5pm, £3 or £2 conc.

Science Tunnel

Enter the Science Tunnel for an incredible journey of scientific discovery and previously hidden worlds and inspect the smallest particles of matter to the largest structures in the universe.

Runs until Sunday, January 26, open 10am-5pm, £3 or £2 conc.

Museum of Transport

Boyle Street, Manchester (tel: 0161 205 2122)

Open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm

Norton Museum and Gardens

Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire (tel: 01928 569895)

Something for the Collections

An insight into the life throughout the ages at Norton Priory.

Runs until January 14 2003, open daily, 12 noon-4pm, £3.95 for adults, others £2.75 and children under 5 free

People's History Museum

The Pump House, Bridge Street, Manchester (tel: 0161 839 6061)

The only Museum dedicated to the working people of Britain and the story of how they organised to change society, improving life for future generations.

Open Tue-Sun, 11am-4.30pm, adm £1 waged, otherwise free, free admission on Friday.

Portico Library & Gallery

Mosley Street, Manchester (tel: 0161 236 6785)

Crafts Exhibition

The Portico Christmas Craft and Gift Fair displaying the talents of British designers and makers providing the opportunity for you to buy a unique gift.

Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am-4.30pm and Sunday, 1pm-4pm, admission free

Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery

High Street, Uppermill, Oldham (tel: 01457 874093)

Leach & Gray - An Exhibition of New Work

A collection of oil paintings featuring the powerful and dark images of the human form and portraits of still life and landscapes from this diverse duo.

Runs throughout December, open 1pm-4pm

The Peterloo Massacre and the Saddlworth Connection

A display based upon research uncovering the involvement of Saddleworth people and how they joined forces and marched under the Black Flag.

Runs until February, open 1pm-4pm

Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Peel Park Crescent, Salford (tel: 0161 736 2649)

Life Times

A variety of Life Times projects have been going on around the city over the last 2 years and many memories, photographs and stories about the history of the city have come to light.

Runs until Tuesday, May 6 2003, open Monday to Friday, 10am-4.45pm and Saturday and Sunday 1pm-5pm, adm free

Tate Liverpool

Albert Dock, Liverpool (tel: 0151 702 7400)

Pin-up

Glamour and celebrities since the Sixties are represented in key works drawn from the Tate Collection including images of film stars, pop stars and models.

Runs until Sunday, January 19 2003, open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm, admission free

The Beatles Story

Britannia Vaults, Albert Dock, Liverpool (tel: 0151 709 1963)

Experience the most sensational story the pop world has ever known in the City where it all began and relive the Fab Four's rise to fame walking through Abbey Road, imagining the White Room and seeing real costumes on display.

Open daily, 10am-6pm, adults £7.95, children £4.95, conc. £5.45 and £19 for a family ticket with upto 3 children

The National Football Museum

Deepdale Stadium, Preston (tel: 01772 908 442)

Take a trip to football heaven and begin the journey through football history learning the story of football using the latest technology with an interactive exhibition and viewing the finest display of football memorabilia in the world. In the second half you can play the game and test your skills on the interactive exhibits, then join Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen on Match of the Day and enjoy your 15 minutes of fame.

Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm, adults £6.95 and children, 5 to 15 years old, £4.95 and children free

The Portico Library & Gallery

Mosley Street, Manchester (tel: 0161 236 6785)

The Moving Hand Writes...

An exhibition exploring the development of handwriting from the 19th century to the present day with books, documents and artefacts on show.

Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am-4.30pm and every 3rd Sunday of the month, 1pm-4pm admission free

The World of Glass

Chalon Way East, St Helens, (tel: 08707 444 777)

Experience the miracle of sand and fire and witness the skills involved in a turning a ball of glass into a beautiful object and the art of glassblowing.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm, adults £5, children £3.60 conc. £3.60, Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children £15 or 1 adult and 2 children £10

Turnpike Gallery

Civic Square, Leigh (tel: 01942 404469)

Little Rituals

Suki Chan is exhibiting a series of works including A Midsummer's Daydream and a mixed media installation created as part of her residency at Plastique Kinetic Worms in Singapore.

Runs until Saturday, January 18 2003, open Mon, Thu and Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Tue 10am-5.30pm, Wed 9.30am-5pm and Sat 10am-3pm, admission free