REVIEW -SPIES, LIES AND DECEPTION EXHIBITION | IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH | 18/02/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
SPIES, LIES AND DECEPTION AT IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH - A FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPY ADVENTURE FULL OF SECRETS, STORIES AND MISSIONS
During February half term, we visited Spies, Lies and Deception Imperial War Museum North, a fascinating free exhibition exploring the secret world of espionage — and it turned into one of our favourite family days out this winter.
From the moment we stepped into the Mission Room, it felt like we were entering a secret world of codes, disguises and undercover stories.
Running until 31 August 2026, the exhibition combines real historical artefacts, powerful personal stories and interactive experiences to create something that is both educational and engaging for visitors of all ages.
We visited with Alice (8) and Leo (6), and while there is plenty here for adults and older children interested in history, the interactive elements made it particularly enjoyable for families too.
WHAT IS THE EXHIBITION ABOUT?
Spies, Lies and Deception opens a window into the hidden world of covert operations, secret intelligence and deception tactics used during wartime and beyond.
Across five themed sections — Mission Room, Using Deception, Uncovering Deception, Being Deceived and the Debriefing Room — visitors discover:
Hidden gadgets and disguised weapons
Forged documents and espionage tools
Stories of real spies and intelligence operations
The human cost of deception
The artefacts are genuinely fascinating, from hollow batteries used to conceal miniature film to everyday objects secretly transformed into tools of espionage. It really brings home just how creative and ingenious intelligence work could be.
One particularly powerful story is that of Noor Inayat Khan, the first female SOE wireless operator sent into occupied France during WWII, whose courage and sacrifice adds emotional depth to the exhibition.
As adults, we found the real stories especially compelling — learning about the ingenuity behind covert operations and the risks people took in the world of espionage adds a powerful layer to the experience.
THE SECRET MISSION FAMILY TRAIL — A HUGE HIT WITH THE KIDS
The standout highlight of our visit to Spies, Lies and Deception was definitely the Secret Mission family trail.
We picked up our mission booklet in the Mission Room, where they were laid out on a desk with pencils ready to use. The booklet explained that our mission was to find five people within the exhibition and uncover their secrets by answering questions along the way.
Once we had all the answers, we headed to the Debriefing Room, entered them into the digital screen, and cracked the final code word — which could then be taken to the gift shop to receive a badge as a reward.
This was such a clever way to encourage children to explore the exhibition, and Alice and Leo absolutely loved it. It turned the whole experience into an adventure rather than just walking around reading displays.
INTERACTIVE FUN — DRESSING UP, CAMOUFLAGE AND SPY PLAY
Another big highlight at Spies, Lies and Deception was the Mission Room dress-up area, where children could put on trench coats and hats to transform into spies.
Alice especially loved this — she spent ages sneaking around the exhibition pretending she was on secret missions she had invented herself.
The camouflage wall was also brilliant fun, allowing children to wear camouflage outfits and see themselves blend into the background. It’s simple but very effective and engaging.
These hands-on elements make the exhibition feel much more accessible for younger visitors, even though much of the written content is probably more suitable for ages 8+.
HOW LONG TO SPEND & PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Most families will spend around 45–60 minutes exploring Spies, Lies and Deception as part of a wider visit to the museum.
Key information:
📅 Dates: 29 November 2025 – 31 August 2026
📍 Location: Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
💰 Cost: Free entry
👨👩👧👦 Family friendly (reading age approx. 8+, but younger children can enjoy with adults)
The museum also has a café and gift shop, making it easy to turn your visit into a full family day out.
CONCLUSION
Spies, Lies and Deception Imperial War Museum North is a brilliant example of how history exhibitions can be made accessible and engaging for families without losing depth or meaning.
The combination of real artefacts, powerful human stories and interactive activities creates an experience that is both educational and genuinely fun.
For Alice and Leo, the Secret Mission trail and dressing up were definite highlights — and for us as adults, the fascinating stories and clever objects made it just as enjoyable.
If your family enjoys history, puzzles, or interactive experiences, this is absolutely worth a visit — especially since it’s free.
A fascinating, hands-on exhibition that turns visitors into spies for the day — and proves learning history can be a real adventure.
For more information about Spies, Lies and Deception, including opening times and visitor details, visit the Imperial War Museum North website.
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