Manchester Art Gallery

Why I love it

Three linked buildings on Mosley Street holding one of the best collections in the north — Pre-Raphaelites, Turners, LS Lowry's neighbours — and it's completely free to walk into. We wandered the galleries on a quiet weekday morning and had whole rooms to ourselves. Go for one painting, stay for two hours.

What to try

• The Pre-Raphaelite rooms — the big hitters
• The grand staircase under the dome
• The gallery café when your feet give in