Prayer room

The transformation of Manchester Museum presented us with an unprecedented opportunity to expand our role, reach and relevance. We have created a two-storey extension and there has been extensive reconfiguration of existing spaces. The building now provides new galleries and facilities with a focus on inclusivity, including a prayer room. 

The prayer room is located on floor 1 next to the Living Worlds gallery. It is a calm and peaceful space that is available to anyone who wants to use it for prayer, contemplation, or meditation.

We welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors through our doors every year and Manchester is one of the UK’s most diverse cities.  

It has been co-designed with museum staff and faith partners. It includes chairs, room partitions, prayer mats, ablution facilities, shoe covers and a shoe rack.  

We are committed to building better understanding, compassion, and empathy, and foregrounding inclusive narratives and new perspectives, and our hope is that the new Manchester Museum is a place where everyone feels that they belong. 

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Using the prayer room

This room is for prayer, contemplation and meditation.  Please always be respectful to others who are using the room.

We kindly ask that you do not bring incense burners or candles into the room or leave any  posters, flyers or other materials here. 

We’d really appreciate it if you could return any furniture, books or mats to the original location and ensure the room remains clean and tidy. 

If you require assistance, please speak to a member of staff. 

Opening Times 

The prayer room is available during our opening hours, but it will close 30 minutes prior to museum closing times. 

Monday – Closed 

Tuesday – 10am-4:30pm 

Wednesday – 10am-4:30pm 

Thursday – 10am-8:30pm 

Friday – 10am-4:30pm 

Saturday – 10am-4:30pm 

Sunday – 10am-4:30pm 

Room Capacity 

This room has a limited capacity, we will do our best to accommodate all visitors during busy times but there may occasionally be a wait, or you may prefer to use other facilities nearby.

Maintenance 

• Museum staff, emergency services and university agents (e.g., contractors) may need to enter the prayer room and all visitor facilities at any time. 
• Museum cleaning staff will clean the space twice daily. 
• Staff regularly check the prayer room throughout the day to ensure it is kept tidy and safe for use, please report to a member of staff if the facilities are in need of attention. 

Facilities and storage 

• There is storage provided for shoes during the time that you are using the prayer room. Please collect your belongings when you are leaving. There are lockers near the Main Hall on the ground floor by the toilets for further belongings.
• The nearest toilets are next to the prayer room (through the wooden doors to your left).
• For people that don’t want to use the prayer room but do require a calm and peaceful space away from the gallery environment, please use the quiet room. 

Fire Alarm 

• The nearest fire exit is next to the prayer room entrance through the wooden doors. 
• In the event of a fire alarm, you must leave the building immediately. 
• Our staff check all spaces during an evacuation, including the prayer room, should you need assistance.