Science and Industry Museum

Over het museum

The museum opened in 1969 as the North Western Museum of Science and Industry in temporary premises on Grosvenor Street. After Liverpool Road station closed in 1975, Greater Manchester Council bought the site, and the museum moved there. The station was the terminus of the world's first inter-urban railway, and the site today consists of five listed buildings, two of them Grade I.

The museum reopened on the site in September 1983 with the Power Hall as its first major gallery, and over the following years it added a science centre, the National Electricity Gallery and a restored 1830 Warehouse. Admission became free in 2001. In 2010 and 2011 the Great Western Warehouse was redeveloped and the gallery Revolution Manchester opened, and a new welcome area and entrance followed in 2014. In 2018 the museum took its present name to match the other museums of the Science Museum Group, to which it belongs.

Today the museum shows how Manchester shaped the modern world, from cotton and steam power to early computing. A multi-million-pound restoration programme is under way, so parts of the site, including the 1830 Station and Warehouse, are closed, and the Air and Space Hall is permanently closed. The galleries in the New Warehouse remain open to visitors, and admission is free.

Hoogtepunten

• Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery with stationary engines and locomotives
• Revolution Manchester with Baby, a working replica of the Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine
• Textiles Gallery with demonstrations
• Experiment, an interactive science gallery for all ages
• Site of the world's first passenger railway station
• Special exhibitions gallery

Vaste collectie

• Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery – Stationary engines and locomotives that show how power changed factories, the electricity network and rail travel.
• Revolution Manchester – Manchester's innovations in transport, engineering, computing and music, including Baby, a working replica of the Manchester computer, and the link between the cotton trade and slavery.
• Experiment – A hands-on gallery on level 1 where visitors test their senses, build structures and make music.

Opgericht

1969

Beheerder

Science Museum Group

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 830.000

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Admission is free. Booking a free ticket online in advance is recommended. Some special exhibitions and events charge an admission fee.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie

There is step-free access to all floors of the multi-level buildings, and the glass lifts are wheelchair accessible with tactile labels and some audio announcements. Accessible toilets with baby changing are on levels 0 and 1 and near the main entrance, and a Changing Places toilet with a hoist is in the Bistro on level 1 (a RADAR key is needed; staff can help). A hearing loop is at the information desk. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. Manual wheelchairs and folding stools can be borrowed from the information desk, and ear defenders, sensory packs and a quiet room in the Textiles Gallery are available. The Power Hall has audio-described films and a highlights tour via QR code, a braille book, a large print guide and some tactile engine labels. Three Blue Badge spaces are on Lower Byrom Street. The quietest times are weekday afternoons in term time. For access needs the contact centre can be called on 0330 058 0058.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte

Experiment is a hands-on science gallery recommended for all ages. The museum is breastfeeding-friendly, has baby changing in the accessible toilets and a buggy park beside the main entrance (not secured), and high chairs are available in the cafe. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Early years activities, the Experiment gallery and Power UP gaming events at weekends and in school holidays.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Bike parking is on Lower Byrom Street just outside the main entrance.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel

The cafe at the entrance serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and cakes. A Bistro on level 1 opens from 11am at weekends and in busy periods and also serves as an indoor picnic area; visitors may bring their own food. The shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm and online. Lockers are currently unavailable.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen

The museum has a separate venue hire website, and a conference centre is mentioned on the accessibility page.

Je bezoek plannen