REVIEW - WILD EXHIBITION | MANCHESTER MUSEUM | 17/05/2025

🦫 WILD at Manchester Museum: An Inspiring Exhibition for Curious Minds of All Ages

What does it mean to be wild? Is it something remote and untouched — or could it be growing between city paving stones, nesting in a tree above a Manchester street, or imagined in a child’s drawing?

Running until June 2025, Wild at Manchester Museum is a beautifully curated, thought-provoking exhibition that invites visitors to reconsider their relationship with the natural world. Set inside the museum’s stunning Exhibition Hall, it blends science, storytelling, and sensory experiences to explore the meaning of wildness — from the sweeping valleys of Yellowstone to the canals of Manchester and the spiritual landscapes of Western Australia.

As a family of four visiting on a sunny Saturday – with Alice (7) and Leo (6) in tow – we found Wild to be as accessible as it was inspiring. For children on the autistic pathway like Alice and Leo, the exhibition's calming layout, tactile stations, and ambient soundscapes provided the perfect balance of stimulation and serenity.

Interactive Fun for Curious Kids

The exhibition is packed with hands-on, sensory-rich experiences that children can truly immerse themselves in. Leo, a fan of all things hands-on, gravitated immediately towards the interactive stations. He particularly loved drawing what “wild” means to him (with a volcano and lots of trees,) and the cleverly designed Touching Nature wall – a sensory-rich feature with textured circles inviting little hands to explore and describe how nature feels. Another hit was the wooden building blocks, where children could create their own imagined “wild future world.” Leo’s included a treehouse with secret animal tunnels! Alice, meanwhile, was in her element discovering the museum’s animal exhibits. Her favourite creatures were the majestic wolf and the fiery red fox – and she was full of fascinating facts by the end. Both Alice and Leo also lit up when they spotted some familiar favourites nestled amongst the more traditional displays — the inclusion of toys like Sylvanian Families and Octonauts was a real highlight, sparking joy and plenty of excited pointing. The exhibition’s blending of natural history artefacts with modern touches (like cuddly toys and floral crockery) brought a welcome sense of whimsy and wonder.

A Global Journey Through Wild Places

At the heart of Wild is a global storytelling journey that spans five “wild” landscapes across the world. The stories shared — from the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone to the restoration of coral reefs in the Isle of Arran — offer a refreshingly hopeful message about working with nature, not against it.

We were particularly moved by the story of Nowanup in Western Australia, where the Noongar people are bringing ancient cultural practices back to life in a once-degraded landscape. Sitting in the Mayaya listening to Uncle Eugene Eades tell the story of cultural rehydration was a powerful, grounding moment — and one that reminded us all that people are part of the wild world too.

Rewilding Wonders: From Beavers to Butterflies

The exhibition’s rewilding section was a real highlight. We learned about the beavers returning to British waterways, and how their dams are quietly reshaping ecosystems, cleaning water, and welcoming back wildlife.

The story of the Knepp Estate in Sussex, where Exmoor ponies, Tamworth pigs and over 60 species of bees now thrive, is another stunning example of what happens when we give nature space. Even long-lost species like violet dor beetles and stag beetles have reappeared – wild magic in action!

Alice was particularly intrigued by the return of the white storks — massive birds that had been absent from the UK for centuries. Thanks to careful reintroduction, they now soar above Sussex once more. Meanwhile, Leo was charmed by the fact that hedgehogs returned to the area all by themselves. A quiet but powerful message: when we give nature the room, it finds its way back.

Wild in the City: A Manchester Case Study

Perhaps the most personally resonant part of Wild was its focus on Manchester itself.

We loved the section on urban wildness – it really got us talking as a family about the foxes we’ve seen in our own neighbourhood, the plants pushing through cracks in the pavement, and the birds we watch from our window. The exhibition helped Alice and Leo realise that nature isn’t only “out there” in forests and jungles – it’s here too, in parks, gardens, balconies, and back alleys.

It’s an invitation to look closer and live differently.

Immersive, Inclusive and Imaginative

The layout of Wild is both calming and clever. There's space to pause, places to touch, and plenty to see. From soft lighting and gentle soundscapes to cuddly animal toys tucked alongside natural history artefacts, it blends tradition with imagination in a way that’s accessible and enchanting for all ages.

Importantly, it feels truly inclusive – not just physically accessible but emotionally welcoming, particularly for neurodivergent children like ours. It’s the kind of place where curiosity is encouraged, exploration is easy, and questions are celebrated.

Conclusion

Wild is more than just an exhibition — it’s a breath of fresh air. Thoughtful, hopeful, and beautifully curated, it invites families to explore the natural world not as something separate from ourselves, but as something we’re deeply connected to. From sensory play and imaginative eco-building to powerful environmental messages, Wild strikes a perfect balance between learning and wonder.

For families seeking a free and enriching day out, this exhibition sparks conversation, curiosity, and a lasting connection to nature. We left feeling inspired — not just by the creatures and landscapes we encountered, but by the sense that we all have a part to play in protecting our planet.

"🦊 "A hands-on journey into wild worlds near and far – perfect for curious kids and nature-loving grown-ups alike."

🗓️ Visitor Info

📅 Dates: Now until June 2025

📍 Location: Manchester Museum, Oxford Road

🎟️ Entry: Free (donations welcome)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly: 100%! A great day out for kids and grown-ups alike

🦽 Accessibility: Fully accessible venue

Want to learn more about Manchester Museum and the Wild exhibition? Click the button below to visit the official website.

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