BOLTON MUSEUM ART GALLERY AND AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton

Our Commonwealth: Our Home

This major exhibition is part of the Spirit of Friend Festival which celebrates Bolton's Commonwealth links and marks the town's participation as a venue for the Games. It featurs loans, objects and photographs from many Commonwealth countries including India, New Zeland and Nigeria and looks at how British views of the Commonwealth countries have changed over time through themes such as trade, souvenirs and science. The natural history section includes a huge book of New Zeland pressed ferns and many rare and exotic birds from New Zealand, a Malabar Squirrel from India, a Gliding Possum from Australia and many more. The second section illustrates the lives of 20 people who came from Commonwealth Countries to settle in Bolton.

Until August 31, open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm.

moran, moran

Thomas Moran: The Recent Acquisitions exhibits Nearing Camp, Evening on the Upper Colorado River which returns to Bolton Bolton alongside the most recent acquisition The River Schuylkill.

June 1 to Autumn, open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm.

HALL I'TH'WOOD, Green Way, off Crompton Way, Bolton

Centenary Celebrations

Several rooms have been recreated where Samuel Crompton invented his spinning mule and there is also a display dedicated to Lord Leverhulme. Special events are organised for thorughout the summer, check with the venue for further details.

SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford

People's Choice

For all the people who have ever wondered what treasures were hiding away in the depths of SMAG's vaults - this exciting exhibition is a must. Members of the public have chosen objects from the collectoin and given the reasons behind their choices. There's a series of tours looking at the Museum's stores during the exhibiton.

Until June 9, open Mon to Fri 10am-4.45pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm, free

Over Looked At

Take a look at close up visions of where we live. Without using any filters or special lenses, Salford-born Neil Roland has captured the so-often overlooked intricacies of local architecture and environment that gives his home cities the patina which makes them unique. Be prepared to see how vivid colour can contrast dramatically with stone and brick and glass and wood.

Until June 30, open Mon to Fri 10am-4.45pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm, free

Life Times On Show

Salford's Community History Project opens its showcase gallery with a variety of projects which have been going on around the city over the last two years looking at memories, photographs and stories about the history of the city that come to light.

Until June 30, open Mon to Fri 10am-4.45pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm, free

The Lost Zoo

Manchester's lost zoo has turned up at SMAG. Belle Vue Zoo, which opened in 1836 and closed 25 years ago has a place in many people's memories and not just for seeing the animals, there was also wrestling, speedway and the circus. Relive the experience and be amazed. Events will be running throughout the summer.

June 1 to September 8, open Mon to Fri 10am-4.45pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm, free

ORDSALL HALL MUSEUM, Orshall Lane, Salford

The Salford Pals and The Great War

This summer sees the return of the popular Salford Pals exhibition which tells the full horror of the First World War as experienced by the Salford Pals, battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers who were involved in bitter trench warfare. There was hardly a local family untouched by the dreadful death toll as soldiers, often only 18, were perished.

June 2 to September 1, open Mon to Fri 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm, free

SADDLEWORTH MUSEUM ART GALLERY, High Street Uppermill, Nr Oldham

Summer Celebrations

To mark the joint celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Museum and the Queen's Jubilee a series of new paintings by Delph artist John McCombs of every village in Saddleworth. Also on view will be previous jubilee memorabilia and a series of works by Edna Lumb.

May 28 to June 23, open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12 noon-5pm.