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. Ring 01254 667130.

BLYTH GALLERY, Brazil Street, Manchester. In The Shade by Janice Sylvia Brock, to October 21. Open from 10am to 5pm Fri and 11am to 3pm Sat. Adm free.

BOLTON MUSEUM, ART GALLERY AND AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. An exhibition: Contemporary Ceramics, runs until November 25, examines the oriental and early English influences of contemporary ceramics. Also, to January 6, Thomas Moran's masterpiece restored, celebrates the return to Bolton of Thomas Moran's masterpiece "Nearing Camp, Evening on the Upper Colorado River, 1882". Open Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm, closed Suns and Bank Holidays. Ring Bolton 332190.

BOTANIC GARDEN MUSEUM, Southport. Ring 01704 227547.

BREWERY ARTS CENTRE, Highgate, Kendal. Stitch x three. An exhibition of textile work in the restaurant by artists Helen McKenna, Pat Crellin and Val Rich. Runs until October 29. Open Mon to Sat, 10am to 8.30pm and Sun 11am to 8.30pm. Ring 01539 725133.

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 ad £4.50, conc £3.30, children £1.40, family ticket £10. Ring 01535 642323.

BURY ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM, Moss Street, Bury. The Art of Looking on Tues, October 31, Tues, November 28 Paradise Revisited and Tues, December 19 Centenary Preview, and family friendly events, including Saturday morning arts club, art-dance-drama club for children aged five to seven. Art-just do it, Thurs, October 26, 10am to 4pm, drop in and make art. Decorate the Christmas Tree, Sat, December 2, 10.30am to 4pm. 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.

CASTLEFIELD GALLERY, Campfield Avenue Arcade, Liverpool Road/Deansgate, Manchester. Tues to Sun noon to 5pm. Ring 0161 832 8034.

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. Until October 28. Open Mon- Fri 11am to 5pm, closed some Mons, Sat 1pm to 5pm. Ring 0161 236 2716.

CORNERHOUSE, Oxford Street, Manchester. Oct 18 at 6.30pm, New Contemporaries, opening are a way of finding out more about the work on show and to voice your own opinions and thoughts on the exhibition. Free event. Booking essential, as places are limited. 26 Oct at 6pm, Film and Video Artists on Tour: Jane and Louise Wilson. Tickets £3.50, concession £2.50. Places are limited so please book early. 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.

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 Oct 14. 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 Oct 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. Special September feature is Lancashire Life around 1000 AD. Admission is free, open Sat 10am to noon and on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm. Special openings can be arranged. Ring Bolton 692930 or 693462. The programme of talks on Tuesdays at 7.30pm includes November 14, Post Horn Gallop. Subscriptions pensioners £4.50, others £5.50, members pay 30p per meeting and non-members pay 60p per meeting. Ring Bolton 692930.

IRLAM HERITAGE UNIT, Irlam Library, Liverpool Road, Irlam. The Irlam and Cadishead Local History Society present a special exhibition to mark the new millennium. Also, If music be the Food of Love. Photographs and displays and musical memorabilia from the Irlam and Cadishead Local History Society. 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 Nov 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.

LAKELAND MOTOR MUSEUM, Holker Hall and Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-Over-Sands, South Lakeland, Cumbria. Open until October 31, Sun to Fri (closed Sats) 10.30am-4.45pm. Ring 015395 58509.

LANCASTER UNIVERSITY. Open Mon to Fri 11am to 4pm.

THE LOWRY, Harbour City, Salford Quays. Open Mon to Wed 11am-5pm. Thurs, Sat and Sun 11am to 8pm and Fri 11am-10pm. Adm free. Ring 0161 876 2000.

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 Nov 5. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Ring 0151 478 4499.

THE MET ARTS CENTRE, Market Street, Bury. Until Tuesday November 21, Ron Thorpe Millennium Exhibition, painting inspired by jazz, runs cafe opening hours, Adm free.

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

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 SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester. Museum admission price of adults £6.50, adult concessions £3.50. The museum is open from 10am-5pm every day. For more details ring 0161 832 2244.

THE MUSEUM OF HATTING, Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport. Ring 0161 355 7770. 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 MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM AND TELEVISION, Bradford, West Yorkshire. The Art of Star Wars. Over 200 original objects including models such as Darth Vader's Imperial Star Destroyer and The Millennium Falcon, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and Queen Amidala costumes and concept designs from the archive of Lucasfilm showing the artistic process behind the making of the films.Other attractions include drawings of Jar Jar Binks, Yoda and a replica animatronic created head of the character Ree Yees, models of the droids C=-3PO and R2-D2 and a mysterious chamber of atmosphernic sound and light effects revealing the character of Darth Vader. Runs to April 29, 2001. Tickets £6 for adults, £4.50 conc. To book - 01274 202030. Open Tues to Sun (plus Bank Holidays and Monday during school holidays) 10am to 6pm.

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, Leeman Road, York. Ring 01904 621261.

NORTON PRIORY MUSEUM AND GARDENS, Runcorn. Open Mon to Fri noon to 5pm, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays, noon to 6pm. Ring 01928 569895.

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.

PUMPHOUSE PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM, Left Bank, Bridge Street, Manchester. Travel back in time and find out about the history of "Every Street" in Manchester by visiting the new exhibition. Also, to April 1 Hung, Drawn and Caricatured, cartoons from the collection 1750 to 2000. Open Tues to Sun, 11am-4.30pm, closed Mons, adm £1, concs free. 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. Also, Encaustic Art by James Hargreaves.Open Monday to Friday, 1pm-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm and Sun noon-5pm. Ring 01706 226509.

ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM, Armouries Drive, Leeds. Open from 10.30am-5.30pm daily. 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. 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 £2.50 children under 16 £1.

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

STOCKPORT ART GALLERY, Wellington Road South, Stockport. Mon to Fri 11am to 5pm, (closed Wed), Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun. Ring 0161 474 4453.

SWINTON LIBRARY ART GALLERY, Chorley Road, Swinton. Autumn Colours. The artists of Eccles Studio Club. Open Mon 9.30am to 7.30pm, Tues to Fri, 9.30am to 5.30pm and Sat 9am to 1pm.

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

TURNPIKE GALLERY, Civic Square, Leigh. The time for talking is over by Suky Best, runs from Oct 14 to Nov 25. This exhibition brings together for the first time two bodies of work by the artist Suky Best, Inadmissable Evidence and the time for talking is over. For more details ring 01942 404469.

RON THORPE MILLENNIUM EXHIBITION, Paintings inspired by jazz. To 21 Nov, visual arts. Ron's style ranges from lanscapes to still life to seascapes at cafe opening hours. Tickets free. Ring 0161 761 7107.