History

Museum of Science
and Industry

As the world's fist industrial city, Manchester has an interesting story to tell at its outstanding Museum of Science and Industry.

Housed in a number of historic buildings, including the oldest passenger railway station in the world, the museum is a popular destination in an inspiring setting. Highlights include:

1. The Fibres Fabrics & Fashion gallery (main building) includes working machinery, hands-on exhibits, artworks and human stories, bringing to life Manchester's textile industry. Come and find out how many hundreds of dried insects it took to make 1kg or red dye 300 years ago!

2. The Special Exhibition Gallery (main building) exhibits an ever-changing programme of blockbuster special exhibitions from around the world, from the Titanic to space adventure.

3. Xperiment, the museum's hands-on interactive science gallery (main building), will stimulate your brain and test your senses. Great fun for the kids.

4. The 1830 Warehouse, were goods like butter, shellfish, grain and bleach were stored in the 19th century, is the world's first railway warehouse. Now a Grade I listed building, it is an exhibit in its own right, as well as gallery space.

5. 'The Baby', which was developed at Manchester University in 1948, is the ancestor of today's computer. A working replica of 'The Baby' is on display in the 1830 Warehouse.

6. At the Electricity Gallery (1830 Warehouse) you can visit historic room sets from the 30s, 40s and 50s, where early electric machines are on display.

7. The reconstructed Victorian Sewer in the Station Building, complete with sounds and smells, takes you on a tour of underground Manchester.

8. The Beyer Garratt, the colossal steam locomotive that worked on South African railways, is exhibited in the Power Hall. Here you will also find the oldest Manchester-built Rolls-Royce on public display.

9. The mighty Avro Shackleton plane, the RAF's longest serving front line aeroplane, is exhibited in the Air and Space Hall.

In addition to its galleries, the museum offers a full programme of events, including lectures and demonstrations, while on some weekends you can catch a ride on a reconstructed Planet train.

Opening Hours:

Mon - Sun 10 am - 5 pm

Admission:

Free

Facilities:

Restaurant, cafe, shop, mobility services

Address:

Liverpool Road
Castlefield
Manchester
M3 4FP

Telephone:

0161 832 2244