REVIEW - TITANIC EXHIBITION | MANCHESTER CENTRAL CONVENTION COMPLEX | 11/08/2025

The Titanic Exhibition at Manchester Central Is A

Fascinating Voyage Through History

On Monday 11th August, my husband Lawrence and I stepped back to 1912 for an afternoon to explore the Titanic Exhibition at Manchester Central’s Convention Complex. We hadn’t booked ahead — though pre-booking is strongly advised, as the exhibition is clearly in high demand. Online, tickets were showing as sold out until 4pm, but when we arrived at around 2.30pm, we were able to buy them without issue. We entered just before 3pm and spent around 90 minutes exploring — though if you were to watch every video and read every panel in detail, you could easily linger for two hours or more.

Billed as the UK’s largest travelling Titanic experience, the exhibition more than lives up to its reputation. Striking visuals, set recreations, genuine artefacts, and deeply personal stories combine to take visitors on a journey from the ship’s construction in Belfast to its ill-fated voyage, and finally to its rediscovery on the ocean floor.

Upon arrival, each visitor is given a replica boarding card containing the details of a real Titanic passenger. My identity was that of Mr Charles Henry Chapman, a second-class passenger born in Cape Town, South Africa on 19th June 1860. He married Ellen Virtue Lawrence, a Southampton local, in 1880, and the couple made their home there until Ellen’s death in 1910. Charles later moved to New York to start afresh, but after visiting family in South Africa, he boarded the Titanic in Southampton for the return journey. His second-class ticket cost £13, 10s — a considerable sum for the time.

Lawrence travelled first class as Mr Norman Campbell Chambers. At the end of the exhibition, a large display lists every passenger and crew member, showing who survived and who did not. In our case, my passenger sadly perished, while Lawrence’s survived. It’s a simple but powerful feature, grounding the exhibition in the human cost of the disaster.

The exhibition unfolds in four stages. It begins with the Titanic’s conception and construction, from the Harland & Wolff shipyards in Belfast to the engineering achievements and lavish interiors that made her world-famous. Visitors are then invited to “board” the ship, greeted by a crew member in period costume who checks your replica boarding pass at a mock entrance. Inside, nearly 100 illuminated panels, together with atmospheric sound effects, video content, and recreated spaces, bring to life what it was like for first, second, and third-class passengers. The mood then shifts as the story turns to the night of the sinking and the rescue efforts that followed, before concluding with the ship’s rediscovery on the ocean floor and the recovery of poignant artefacts.

One of the most memorable pieces for me was a sheet of music recovered from the body of Wallace Hartley, the Titanic’s band leader. Stored in a leather case beneath his life jacket, it had been shielded from seawater, and when Hartley’s body was recovered ten days later, the sheet music was found completely undamaged — a haunting link to one of the ship’s most enduring stories. I was also fascinated by the table settings from first, second and third class; even the most modest dining area would have felt luxurious to many passengers in 1912. There is also the chance to sit on a 100-year-old chair of the same style used in the second-class dining room, and to step into a recreation of a lifeboat — an experience that quietly underlines its stark size and limited capacity. Other highlights include a large section of the Grand Staircase, Father Browne’s on-board photographs, and one of the few intact deckchairs recovered from the Atlantic.

A section dedicated to local connections adds an extra layer of interest. Captain Arthur Rostron of the rescue ship Carpathia hailed from nearby Bolton, while radio operator Harold Cottam’s quick thinking helped save lives. These stories bring the disaster closer to home, transforming it from a distant tragedy into something that touched communities here in the UK.

Film fans will enjoy spotting props from the 1997 movie, including costumes, the Heart of the Ocean necklace, and set mouldings from the grand staircase. These touches don’t overshadow the history, but they do add a pop culture sparkle that broadens the exhibition’s appeal.

The layout of the exhibition works well — spacious, easy to navigate, and never feeling too crowded during our visit. Seating is available in various sections, including areas designed like ship benches and a lifeboat, there is also seating at the video screening sections though a few more would have been welcome. The immersive sound and visuals help create atmosphere without being overbearing, and there’s a steady balance between reading information and viewing exhibits.

That said, the exhibition is quite text-heavy with limited interactive elements. For younger children, especially those under 10, it may not hold attention for long. I’m glad we didn’t bring our own children (ages 7 and 6) as I suspect they would have found it less engaging. Older children and teens with an interest in history would likely get more from it.

The Titanic Exhibition at Manchester Central is a compelling and respectful exploration of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. It weaves authentic artefacts, personal narratives, and immersive experiences into a journey that is at once educational and deeply moving. While tickets are not cheap — with adult prices starting from £22.99, and extras such as audio guides or souvenir books adding to the total — it is a memorable experience for anyone with an interest in history or the Titanic story.

Whether you’re captivated by the ship’s engineering, drawn to the lives of her passengers, or intrigued by her enduring legacy, this exhibition delivers a voyage rich in detail and emotion. Just be prepared to read a lot — and perhaps leave the youngest sailors at home.

A respectful and fascinating voyage through history, perfect for Titanic enthusiasts and history lovers.

“From the grandeur of the Grand Staircase to the stark lifeboat realities, the Titanic Exhibition sails smoothly between awe and heartbreak.”

📍 At a Glance

The Titanic Exhibition

📍 Location: Manchester Central Convention Complex, Manchester

📅 Dates: Running until 24 August 2025

👧 Recommended age: 10+ (younger children may find it text-heavy)

⏱ Average visit time: Approx. 90 minutes – 2 hours

🎟 Ticket prices:

• Ages 0–5: Free

• Ages 6–14: £10.53 (£9.99 + £0.54 booking fee)

• Ages 15 and over: £23.18 (£21.99 + £1.19 booking fee) - £22.99 (paid on the door)

• Group ticket (4 × ages 15+): £83.26 (£78.99 + £4.27 booking fee)

• Expert Pass: £40.04 (£37.99 + £2.05 booking fee) – Includes full exhibition access, an exclusive lecture with Dik Barton (first British man to dive to the Titanic, 22 dives total), Q&A session, and a copy of the exhibition guide book. Lecture times: 11:15am, 1:15pm, or 3:15pm.

🌐 Website: titanicmanchester.com