Science and Industry Museum

Creative Tourist

Last Updated 30 January 2022

Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP – Visit Now

Dedicated to inspiring visitors through revolutionary, world-changing ideas, the Science and Industry Museum pairs historic sites with a dynamic, contemporary science programme. A multi-million-pound restoration programme is currently underway at this globally significant industrial heritage site to carry out crucial restoration work, bring the story of the historic site to life, and to create a more sustainable museum for visitors to play and learn in. This means that there is some scaffolding and that some buildings will remain closed until works are complete, but there is still plenty for you to come and explore. You can find out more about how the Museum is changing and which areas are open to visitors.

From big ideas to small inventions, discover the pioneering work that helped to shape life as we know it in the Revolution Manchester Gallery. Unravel science secrets with expert Explainers at Science Stops around the museum, find out how the city’s heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery and see science brought to life in Experiment, a family friendly interactive gallery. All housed within the Grade II listed New Warehouse, with the option of stepping out into the cobbled Upper Yard to enjoy a beautiful new garden and uncover stories of the historic site.

The Science and Industry Museum’s collection spans 250 years of discoveries and innovations that began in Manchester – and went on to change the world. The globally significant site comprises six listed buildings (two Grade I and four Grade II). The museum found its permanent home in the former Liverpool Road Station – the site of the original terminus of the world’s first inter-city railway – in 1983, having outgrown its temporary premises on Grosvenor Street in Chorlton-on-Medlock (the North Western Museum of Science and Industry first opened in 1969).

The Science and Industry Museum’s collection spans 250 years of discoveries and innovations that began in Manchester – and went on to change the world.

Visits to this must-see destination are limited to advance bookings only for the time being, and opening times are pared back to Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. These new times are expected to be in place until April 2022, although it will be open every day of the week during the school holidays. You can also expect a reassuring increase in safety measures to protect visitors, such as hand sanitiser available at regular locations through the venue, clear signage to aid people on their visit, recommended routes and greatly enhanced cleaning measures to ensure risks are kept to an absolute minimum.

The on-site shop and café are open, with the latter now using sustainable disposable materials rather than crockery. The café is open from 9.30 and serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, salads, pastries, cakes and snacks.

For more information about any of the above, visit the venue’s website at the link below.

The museum is currently open from Wednesday – Sunday, 10.00–17.00 during term time and Monday – Sunday, 10.00–17.00 during school holidays.