Wonderlab at the Science and Media Museum

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

Book now

Wonderlab

17 May 2017-3 May 2019

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Book now

We are jumping for joy that Bradford’s former National Media Museum, now part of the national Science Museum Group, has developed this brand spanking new £1.8 million interactive happy hunting ground.

A dreamland for curiosity seekers, the Wonderlab gallery is made up of over 20 exhibits, challenges and installations aiming to stimulate understanding of the world and technology around us. It’s state of the art and features some of the only experiences of their kind such as a giant Time Twister screen (see your body in a whole new shape) and a 3-D printed zoetrope by Japanese artist Akinori Goto (challenging your thoughts on illusion and perception).

Our other top picks include capturing a selfie to show your image as reflected through a drop of water (timed to the precise moment the water splashes), careering round the 8ft tall mirror maze, feeling music and sound through your teeth and body, exploring a laser tunnel and hollering through the 15m long echo tube.

Live shows and experiments include the opportunities to take pictures of the universe, create indoor thunderstorms and shoot sound using humongous cannons.

We love that Wonderlab is both playful and challenging. If this is a sign of things to come, we can’t wait for what else is in store.

Where to go near Wonderlab at the Science and Media Museum

Manchester
Restaurant
Maki & Ramen

Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

Restaurant Orme
Manchester
Restaurant
Restaurant Örme

A hidden gem in the suburbs of Greater Manchester, serving high-level British small plates to a soundtrack of indie rock and roll.

The Abbey
Manchester
Restaurant
The Abbey

Historic Hulme pub with a very good live gig space, brought to you by the very capable team behind YES, Gorilla, Now Wave and Manchester Psych Fest.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Pigeon Beer Wanderer

Pigeon Beer Wanderer brings wine-level ceremony to Manchester’s new “Beermuda Triangle”, courtesy of Joshua Lightfoot and his crack team of booze experts.

Image courtesy of Unitom.
Castlefield
Gallery
UNITOM Projects

The exhibition arm of Manchester indie bookshop UNITOM is a dedicated space for contemporary visual culture in the St John’s neighbourhood.

City Centre
Restaurant
Portfolio

Portfolio is a Champagne boutique on Manchester’s Bridge Street, offering a set menu of fine-dining small bites.

Manchester
Gallery
Gwafu Vegan
at Bridge 5 Mill

Cameroonian chef Ngwafu Tansie brings allotment-grown, plant-based cooking to Bridge 5 Mill’s solar-powered Ancoats venue, pairing bobolo with cabbage parcels and live vinyl.

1853 gallery 1
Manchester
Gallery
1853 Studios

1853 Studios and Gallery is a Creative Studios and community of creative professionals occupying the 3rd floors of Osborne Mill, Oldham.

Deansgate
Restaurant
Podium

Podium delivers high-end, seasonal dishes, largely geared around produce and ideas from the British Isles, but with a few deft twists and turns.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Food and Drink in the North

It's summertime, and the dining choices are easy, thanks to our expert guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre

Discover the summer's most rewarding theatre in libraries, pubs, Fringe venues and unexpected spaces across the North.

“the ripple” artwork by Crowns & Owls courtesy of Good Machine.
Music

From post-industrial romance to experimental country, here's a hot new batch of weird gigs in small venues.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A large white room with a colourful lit ceiling above a wooden coffin shaped oversized sculpture.
Exhibitions

From local painting to Chinese folklore on film, sound art to otherworldly installation – this month's guide covers the full spectrum.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.