Imperial War Museum North, Manchester

Imperial War Museum North opened in 2002 as one of five branches of the UK’s Imperial War Museum, and is a product of the culture-led urban renewal project in the previously industrial Trafford Park area of Manchester, which also saw the opening of MediaCityUK and yet another cultural centre worth checking out, the Lowry. The striking building was designed by the internationally renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind, and was intended to reflect upon the ‘shards’ of the globe, shattered by war. The permanent collection considers conflicts that Britain and the Commonwealth have been involved since the First World War. Travelling to the top of the ‘air shard’ also provides an impressive view over the area.