Are you an art teacher in the North West looking for an affordable, educational, and unforgettable day out for your GCSE or A-Level art students? Look no further than PicTours Manchester – a walking phone photography tour designed to inspire creativity, boost visual storytelling skills, and hit key curriculum points for both GCSE and A-Level art and design.
Pair your PicTour with a visit to one of Manchester’s world-class art museums, and you’ve got the perfect full-day trip – creative, low-cost, and easy to manage.
🎒 What’s Included in a PicTours Manchester Field Trip?
📍 Guided walking tour through Manchester city centre
Students explore iconic landmarks, hidden graffiti alleys, and urban textures perfect for photography.
📸 Phone photography skills for all levels
No fancy gear needed – students learn how to frame, light, and edit using only their phones.
🧠 Creative prompts and tasks
Students are given art-based challenges throughout the tour to spark observational drawing, composition ideas, and contextual thinking.
🖼️ Links to GCSE & A-Level Art objectives
Topics covered include:
- Urban landscape photography
- Composition & perspective
- Colour, texture & form in the built environment
- Developing ideas and recording processes
🎟️ Ideal for students preparing sketchbooks and portfolios
🖼️ Add a Free Museum Visit to Create a Full Day of Art Learning
After your walking tour, explore one of Manchester’s top free galleries or museums, all within walking distance of our tour end-point:
1. Manchester Art Gallery
Explore a rich collection of classical and contemporary art, design and fashion – a great way to build on ideas developed during the PicTour. Self guided with resources is free, guided tours are free for Manchester schools only.
2. Museum of Transport
Free guided tours on Wednesdays for any student group. This museum covers how transport has changed throughout the years.
3. The Whitworth
A short walk from the city centre, the Whitworth focuses on art, textiles, and nature – great for sketchbook work and critical studies.
🚌 Why Teachers Love PicTours Manchester
✅ Fully guided and risk-assessed – led by trained creatives experienced in working with students
✅ Cost-effective – group rates available and free entry to partner galleries
✅ Curriculum-linked – supports both GCSE and A-Level Art and Design objectives
✅ Engaging for all levels – ideal for students who love photography, street art, or cityscapes
✅ Student-centred – fosters independence, creativity, and observation skills
📅 How It Works
- Start Time: Usually 10:30am, with flexible options
- Meeting Point: Central Manchester
- Tour Duration: ~1.5 hours
- Lunch: Bring packed lunches or eat in gallery cafés
- Afternoon: Self-guided or staff-led visit to your chosen free gallery
- Wrap-up by 2:30–3:00pm, ready for the journey home
🎨 Book Your Manchester Art Trip with PicTours
Don’t miss this chance to give your students a fresh perspective on photography, art, and the creative potential of their own surroundings. Based in Manchester and serving schools across Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, and Greater Manchester.
📞 Group enquiries welcome
📧 Email [email protected]
PicTours – Capture Stories, Not Just Selfies.
✨ Inspire the next generation of creatives through your city’s lens.
