What's On at local galleries and exhibitions

ASTLEY CHEETHAM ART GALLERY, Trinity Street, Stalybridge. Open Mon to Fri (not Thurs) 1pm to 7.30pm, Sat 9am to 4pm. Tel 0161 338 2708.

ASTLEY HALL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Astley Park, Chorley. Open Tues to Sun, noon to 5pm. Adm free for Chorley residents with proof of address, adults £2.90, concs £1.90, family ticket £7 (up to two adults and two children under 16). Ring 01257 515555.

ATKINSON ART GALLERY, Southport. Ring 0151 934 2110.

BETTER WORLD SPACE, St James's Building, Oxford Street, Manchester. Ring 0161 247 1900.

BLACKBURN MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Blackburn. Until September 16, Made In India, handmade toys and domestic objects made from recycled materials. Free activities and events, half day workshops for children aged six to 12. Booking essential. Also, until September 30, The Never Ending Story - Astrid Greenberry. Large scale photographic works and recent sculptural work by Astrid Greenberry. Familiar stories, urban and ancient myths. A mummy takes centre stage in a new room showcasing many objects not seen by the public for more than 25 years. Ring 01254 667130.

BLYTH GALLERY, Brazil Street, Manchester. Open from 10am to 5pm Fri and 11am to 3pm Sat. Adm free.

BOLTON MUSEUM, ART GALLERY AND AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. To September 16, Jurassic, an exhibition inviting you to journey back 200 million years to a time when dinosaurs ruled the planet. Also, Roots of the Future, a photographic exhibition celebrating Britain's multi-cultural past, present and future. Also, Pompeii, a mini tableau combining history and art and featuring 6 life size models of the human figure. Runs until September 2. Also, an exhibition: Contemporary Ceramics, runs until November 25, examines the oriental and early English influences of contemporary ceramics. Open Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm, closed Suns and Bank Holidays. Ring Bolton 332190.

BOTANIC GARDEN MUSEUM, Southport. Ring 01704 227547.

BRONTE PARSONAGE MUSEUM, Haworth. New archive featuring personal responses to the Brontes lives and works by some of the famous people who have been inspired by them, now on display and includes Sir Cliff Richard, Mark Curry and Jane Horrocks. The exhibition also features the coat worn by Sir Cliff Richard as Heathcliff in his 1996 rock musical, a unique album of photographs and stills from the 1920 silent film of Wuthering Heights. Museum open seven days a week, 10am to 5.30pm, entry adults £4.50, concessions £3.30, children £1.40, family ticket £10. Ring 01535 642323.

BURY ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM, Moss Street, Bury. Mare's Tale, a new and family friendly art exhibition runs to September 2. Five women artists have let loose their creative imaginations in response to traditional nursery rhymes from around the world. Also, lunchtime talks, Also, to October 7, JMW Turner, The Origins of Genius. Turner's oil painting Calais Sands is one of the highlights of Bury's collection. This exhibition brings together a broad selection of Turner's watercolours from North-west galleries. Museum and art gallery open Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm. Ring 0161 253 5878.

BUXTON MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Open Tues to Fri, 9.30am to 5.30pm and Sat, 9.30am to 5pm. Ring 01298 24658.

CHAPMAN GALLERY, Chapman Building, University of Salford, University Road, Salford. Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm. Adm free. Ring 0161 295 5241.

CHARACTERS ART GALLERY, St George's Craft Shops, St George's Road, Bolton. Open Tues to Sat, 10am to 5pm. Adm free. Ring 521302.

CHINESE ART CENTRE, Edge Street, Manchester. Mon to Fri 10.30am to 4.30pm. Ring 0161 832 7280.

CLITHEROE CASTLE MUSEUM, Castle Hill, Clitheroe. Ring 01200 424568.

COLIN JELLICOE GALLERY, Portland Street, Manchester. 36th Winter Exhibition. 37th Summer Exhibition mixed work from Giovanni Simione and Flo Brady. Runs until October 28. Open Mon to Fri 11am to 5pm, check though because closed some Mons, Sat 1pm to 5pm. Ring 0161 236 2716.

CORNERHOUSE, Oxford Street, Manchester. Open Tues to Sat 11am to 6pm and Sun 2pm to 6pm. Ring 0161 228 7621.

CUBE, Portland Street, Manchester. Tues to Fri, noon to 5.30pm, Sat and Sun noon to 4pm. Ring 0161 237 5525.

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS CHANNEL LTD, The Edgar Wood Building, Daisy Bank Road, Manchester. Tues/Thurs 12.30pm to 5.30pm.

FLEETWOOD MUSEUM, Queen's Terrace, Fleetwood. Open 11am to 5pm. Ring 01253 876621.

GALLERY OF COSTUME, Wilmslow Road, Platt Hall, Platt Fields, Rusholme, Manchester. A Suit of Her Own: A History of the Working Woman's Wardrobe. A fascinating look at the development of the working woman's wardrobe in a bid to achieve equality in the workplace. Open daily 10am to 5.30pm. Ring 0161 224 5217.

GENERATION X, New Wakefield Street, Manchester. Mon to Thurs 11am to 11pm, Fri and Sat 11am to 2am, Sun noon to 10.30pm. Ring 0161 236 4899.

GREEN ROOM, Cafe Bar and Foyer areas, Whitworth Street West, Manchester. Contact venue for full details. Ring 0161 950 5900.

Hall i'th' Wood, Green Way, off Crompton Way, Bolton. Part-timbered late medieval merchant's house dating from 1530 to 1648. Hall has 17th and 18th century furniture and other historical items. April to September, Tues to Sat 11am to 5pm, Sun 2pm to 5pm, closed Mon except Bank Holidays. Adm adults £3, concs £1.50. Joint visit to Hall i'th' Wood and Smithills Hall adults £5, concs £2.50. Ring Bolton 301159.

HARRIS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Market Square, Preston. The Harris Museum Project 7 featuring work by Simon Starling and signalling a return to the crafted and the hand made using manual and mechnical processes. Also, until January 2001, English Watercolours featuring work by John Sell Cotman, Paul Nash, John Piper, Thomas Rowlandson, John Ruskin, Paul Sandby, Graham Sutherland and JMW Turner. Also, Costume for Celebration featuring a selection of ball gowns, fancy dress, party frocks and weddings dresses from the 19th and 20th centuries. Runs until October 14. Also, Buildingcraft, a collaboration of work by architects and urban designers. Runs until September 16. Also, The Permanent Collection featuring paintings and sculptures such as Pauline in the Yellow Dress by Sir James Gunn, Dorette by Gerald Brockhurst and works by the Devis family, The White Piano by Arthur Melville and Hesperia by Frank Dicksee. Ring 01772 258248. Open Mon to Sat from 10am to 5pm. Adm free.

Heaton HALL, Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Manchester. The Gadget King: The Drawings of Heath Robinson. Heath Robinson became known as the gadget king and this exhibition features works from all stages of his career. Runs until October 29. Open Wed to Sun 10am to 5.30pm. Ring 0161 773 1231.

HENRY DONN GALLERY, Bury New Road, Whitefield, Manchester. Mon to Sat 9.30am to 5pm, closed 1pm to 2pm. Ring 0161 766 8819.

HOLDEN GALLERY, Cavendish Street, Manchester. Open Mon to Fri, 9.30am to 5pm.

Horwich HERITAGE CENTRE, Resource Centre, Longworth Road, Horwich. Specific aspects of Horwich life over the last 100 years through videos, displays, artefacts and exhibits. Adm is free, open Sat 10am to noon and the second Tues in every month from 7.30pm to 9pm, other times available by appointment only. Ring Bolton 847797 or 693462.

HUYTON GALLERY, Civic Way, Huyton, Merseyside. To September 24. Objects of Desire by Lois Blackburn. Ring 0151 443 5619.

IRLAM HERITAGE UNIT, Irlam Library, Hurst Fold, Liverpool Road, Irlam. The Irlam and Cadishead Local History Society present a special exhibition to mark the new millennium. Open Mon 9.30am to 7.30pm, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9.30am to 5.30pm (closed for lunch 12.30pm to 1.30pm), Wed 9.30am to 1pm and Sat 9am to 1pm. Ring 0161 775 3566.

JOHN RYLANDS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Deansgate, Manchester. A Scholars' Paradise. A comprehensive presentation of political reform, literature, warfare, natural history and science and medicine. Runs until November 3. Mon to Fri 10am to 5.30pm, Sat 10am to 1pm. Ring 0161 834 5343.

G-MEX CENTRE, Manchester. Ring 0161 834 2700.

THE GALLERY, MANCHESTER'S ART HOUSE, Portland Street, Manchester. Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm, except Thurs 10am to 7pm, Sat 10am to 4pm. Ring 0161 237 3551.

KIOSK PHOTOGRAPHERS GALLERY, Smithfield Buildings, Tib Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Tues to Sat 10am to 6pm. Ring 0161 833 3300.

KIRKBY GALLERY, Newtown Gardens, Kirkby, Merseyside. Ring 0151 443 5619.

LAKELAND MOTOR MUSEUM, Holker Hall and Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-Over-Sands, South Lakeland, Cumbria. A nostalgic reminder of transport with displays of vintage vehicles, classic and curious cars, authentic automobilia, bygone bicycles, scooters, tractors, Campbell collections, motorbikes, micro cars and horticultural heirlooms. Open until October 31, Sunday to Friday (closed Saturdays) 10.30am-4.45pm. Ring 015395 58509.

LANCASTER UNIVERSITY. Open Monday to Friday 11am to 4pm.

THE LOWRY, Harbour City, Salford Quays. ArtWorks, art goes interactive at The Lowry with this large scale permanent exhibition where modern and futuristic technologies combine. ArtWorks will enable visitors to tap into their own creativity to produce totally original art, music and literature. The gallery consists of many different creative experiences. Lowry's People. An exhibition showing Matchstick men and Lowry's obsession with the human figure. Runs until September 4. Open Mon to Wed 11am-5pm. Thurs, Sat and Sun 11am to 8pm and Fri 11am-10pm. Adm free. Ring 0161 876 2000.

LANCASHIRE MINING MUSEUM, Buile Hill Park, Eccles Old Road, Salford. The Buile Hill Years. A stiumlating exhibition of photographs and natural history exhibits about the park and museum from the last 100 years. Mon to Fri 10am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm and Sun 2pm-5pm. Ring 0161 736 1832.

LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS REGIMENTAL MUSEUM, Lancashire Headquarters, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Wellington Barracks, Bury. Open Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun. Adm 50p for adults and 25p for children and OAPs.

MANCHESTER CRAFT AND DESIGN CENTRE, Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Mon to Sat 10am to 5.30pm. Ring 0161 832 4274.

MANCHESTER JEWISH MUSEUM, Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester. The Century Saved, an exhibition of Manchester's Jewish History 1900-1999. Mon to Thurs to 4pm Sun 10.30am to 5pm. Tickets £3.25, concs £2.50, family ticket £8. "The Century Saved" is the latest temporary exhibition and tells the story of Manchester's Jewish community during the 20th century. Bookings and details 0161 834 9879.

MANCHESTER'S ART HOUSE, Portland Street, Manchester. Specialising in British Contemporary Art including ceramics, furniture, jewellery, paintings, sculpture and textiles. Open Mon to Fri (not Thurs) 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-6pm and Sat 10am-4pm. Ring 0161 237 3551.

MANTO, Canal Street, Manchester. Taking The Proverbial by John Adams.

MATHEW STREET GALLERY, Mathew Street, Liverpool. Open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 11am-4pm. Ring 0151 236 0009.

MERSEYSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM, Liverpool. Cube Teapots by Robert Johnson. An exhibition charting the rise and fall of this patented teapot. Runs until November 5. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Ring 0151 478 4499.

THE MET ARTS CENTRE, Market Street, Bury. Painting and sculpture by Scott Tetlow, Simon Tetlow and Ben Argyle. Also, In Performance, a one man photographic exhibition by Ian McAnulty. Exhibition in The Met foyer. Adm free.

MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL LIFE, Liverpool. Ring 0151 207 0001.

MID PENNINE GALLERY, Yorke Street, Burnley. Ring 01282 421986. Open Mon to Sat from 10am to 5pm, except Tues, closes 1pm.

MILLYARD GALLERY, Alexandra Craft Centre, Uppermill, Oldham. Tues to Sun 10am to 5pm. Ring 01457 870410.

MUSEUM OF THE LANCASHIRE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, Helmshore Textile Museums, Rossendale includes Higher Mill and Whitaker's Mill and Queen Street Mill, Burnley. For Helmshore ring 01706 226459 and for Queen Street Mill ring 01282 412555.

MUSEUM OF LANCASHIRE, Preston. Ring 01772 264061.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester. Mcanofolie, an exhibition of sculptures incorporating bones, muscles and nerves and the functions of the human body - until September 1. This summer special hands-on events until Sept 3. There are different themes to explore each week. Instant Illusions, Puppet Pals, To Friday September 1, noon to 4pm. Summer Sparkle weekends every Sat and Sun to Sept 3, Summer Fun Trail to Sun Sept 3, 10am to 5pm. FutureWorld an amazing exhibition from the BBC. Adm to FutureWorld is free for all. Adm to the Summer Fun events and the rest of the museum's galleries is adults £5, adult conc £3 and children free, prices valid until September 21. The museum is open from 10am-5pm every day. Summer Fun events take place on a drop-in basis, groups need to pre-book by ringing 0161 833 0027. For more details ring 0161 832 2244.

THE MUSEUM OF HATTING, Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport. Ring 0161 355 7770. David Shilling and Fred Dibnah have opened a stunning display of hats through the centuries featuring top hats, baseball caps and some of the hottest contemporary fashions. Open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm and Sun from 11am to 5pm. Adm charges are adults £3.95, children, £2.50 or family tickets £11.

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, Leeman Road, York. Until September 24. Scenic Paintings - Murals From A Great Canadian Train. To September 3. Holiday Fun for the school holidays. Enjoy a ride on vintage steam and diesel locomotives and play on the Play Train. Open from 10am to 6pm. Ring 01904 621261.

NORTON PRIORY MUSEUM AND GARDENS, Runcorn. Priory History Through The Ages. History of the Norton Priory in the mediaeval ages. The Travels of St Christopher, an exhibition of work by artist Alun Edwards. Runs until September 3. Open Mon to Fri noon to 5pm, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays, noon to 6pm. Ring 01928 569895.

THE OBSERVER GALLERY, Rawbottom Square, Off Wallgate, Wigan. Mon to Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Ring 01942 233022.

OLDHAM ART GALLERY, Union Street, Oldham. Tues 10am-1pm, Wed to Sat 10am-5pm.

OPIES MUSEUM OF MEMORIES, Wigan Pier. Ring 01942 323666.

ORDSALL HALL MUSEUM, Ordsall Lane, Ordsall. Open Doors. Look through the keyhole at Ordsall Hall and learn about the Tudors. Ring 0161 872 0251.

THE OX, Liverpool Road, Castlefield. Mon to Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri and Sat 11am to midnight. Ring 0161 839 7740.

PANKHURST CENTRE, Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm. Ring 0161 273 5673.

PHILIPS CONTEMPORARY ART, Little Lever Street, Manchester. A new gallery for local art enthusiasts. The gallery focuses on presenting the work of young, contemporary British artists. Also, Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Tues/Thurs noon to 4pm, Sat 1pm to 4pm, or by appointment. Ring 0161 282 0318.

PHILHARMONIC HALL, Liverpool. Open Mon to Sat, 10am-5.30pm. Ring 0151 709 3789.

PLATT HALL, Platt Fields, Rusholme, Manchester. Daily 10am-4pm. Ring 0161 224 5217.

PORTICO LIBRARY AND GALLERY, Mosley Street, Manchester. Craft, a collection and sale of crafts representing makers from the North-west. Also, display of books from the library's and private collections. Open Mon to Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm.

PUMPHOUSE PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM, Left Bank, Bridge Street, Manchester. To Sun Oct 1, travel back in time and find out about the history of "Every Street" in Manchester by visiting the new exhibition. Manchester-based artist Bill Longshaw has collected the memories of more than 60 people who lived in Every Street in Ancoats. Open Tues to Sun, 11am-4.30pm, closed Mons, except Bank Holidays. Ring 0161 839 6061.

QUARRY BANK MILL TRUST LTD, Styal, Cheshire. Explore one of the largest historic working cotton mills. Contact venue for Adm prices. Open Tues to Sun 11am-5pm.

RICHARD GOODALL GALLERY, Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm. All works are for sale. Ring 0161 832 3435.

RIGHTON GALLERY, Cavendish Street, Manchester. Open Mon to Fri from 9.30am-5pm.

ROCHDALE ART GALLERY, The Esplanade, Rochdale.Tues to Sat 10am- 4.30pm. Ring 01706 342154.

ROSSENDALE Museum, Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall. Robert Ashley and All That Jazz. An exhibition featuring the Blues and portraits of musicians such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Eric Clapton. Also, Encaustic Art by James Hargreaves. Demonstrations and workshops of this unusual painting technique. Open Monday to Friday, 1pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12 noon-5pm. Ring 01706 226509.

ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM, Armouries Drive, Leeds. Open from 10.30am-5.30pm every day for the summer season. Ring 0990 106666.

SADDLEWORTH MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, High Street, Uppermill, Oldham. Mon to Sun 1pm-4pm. Ring 01457 874 093.

SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford. Rewind/Fast Forward. Explore family-friendly board games through textures, sounds and scents. Rewind to Orsall Hall to uncover the past and Fast Forward to Salford Museum to unlock the secrets of the future. Contact museum for details of times of events. Also, Recall Wall, add your own memories to the Recall Wall with a photo of the past to a thought of today. Also, The Borrowers. Discover 150 years of the weird and wonderful and a specially created activity zone for children. Also, For the Health and Happiness of the People. Music and dancing, archery and athletics, swings and see-saws, ice skating, tennis and football are celebrated in this exhibition of paintings, photographs and objects. Mon to Fri 10am to 4.45pm, Sat and Sun 1pm-5pm. Ring 0161 736 2649.

SALLY BROWN STUDIO AND GALLERY, Marple Bridge, Stockport. Open Thurs to Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon to 4pm. Ring 0161 427 2654.

SAMLESBURY HALL, Preston New Road, Preston. Open every day except Mon 11am- 4.30pm. Ring 01254 812010. Adm for adults is £2.50 and children under 16 £1.

SANDBAR, Grosvenor Street, Manchester. Paintings by Claire Carpenter, until Sunday October 15. Mon to Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 5pm- 10.30pm. Ring 0161 273 1552/3141.

SLUG AND LETTUCE, Canal Street, Manchester. Ring 0161 228 1360.

SMITHILLS HALL, off Smithills Dean Road, Bolton. A Lancashire manor house. Guided tours available. Hall open April to September, Tues to Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm, closed Mon except Bank Holidays. Adm adults £3, concs £1.50. Joint visit to Smithills Hall and Hall i'th' Wood adults £5 and concs £2.50. Ring Bolton 841265.

STOCKPORT ART GALLERY, Wellington Road South, Stockport. Paintings Of The Northern Landscape by Richard Clare. Runs until Sept 2. Mon to Fri 11am to 5pm, (closed Wed), Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun. Ring 0161 474 4453.

THE WORLD OF GLASS, Chalon Way East, St Helens. Runs until November 3. Millennium Bugs featuring art work of humorous responses and visualisations of the Millennium Bug. Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Ring 08707 444 777.

TURNPIKE GALLERY, Civic Square, Leigh. To September 30, exhibition, Mind Breaths, by Manchester-based artist Rebecca Sitar. Sitar has exhibited widely in the UK. For more details ring 01942 404469.