The IWM North explores the impact of conflicts from the last 100 years on people and society. The striking building (designed by Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind) occupies a site overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal in Trafford Park, coincidentally an area which was heavily bombed during the Manchester Blitz in 1940.
There's a series of images on the reception area's wall which shows how the design of the building was created. The architect imagined a globe shattered by conflict into three interlocking shards: representing war fought in the air, on the earth and on the water.
Parked outside the museum building is a solitary ex-Iraqi Army T-55 tank which was captured by the British Army in 2003.
You enter the museum via the bottom of the air shard and there's a viewing balcony with views of the Manchester skyline (you have to pay for this, however).
You're first met by a seven metre tall three dimensional sculpture (The Crusader) which is covered with a web of war-torn buildings. I must have stared at this for about ten minutes.
On the first floor there's a permanent exhibition on display in the cavernous main space, as well as regular exhibitions in a separate gallery, supported by hourly audiovisual presentations which are projected on to the walls themselves (for which you just have to stop and watch/listen as they are thoroughly interesting).
The permanant exhibits are in chronological order around the main exhibition space, with six 'silos' showing displays scattered throughout the gallery. The floor itself gradually drops away like the curvature of the Earth, which was a great touch.
Alongside the number of large artefacts (which includes a Harrier jet and a car from East Germany) is one which is particularly sombre in nature: a huge twisted piece of steel from the North Tower of the fallen World Trade Center.
Even if you're not particularly a fan of history, this museum is an absolute must visit as what you see sticks with you long after you leave - exactly what is supposed to happen.
Tip: the water shard accommodates a cafe with views of the Manchester Ship Canal.