Museum of Science & Industry
Liverpool Road
Castlefield
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M3 4FP
England
Website
Marketing
The Learning Centre
Telephone
24 Hour Information Line
0161 832 2244
Group Bookings
0161 606 0177
School Bookings
0161 833 0027
Fax
Marketing
0161 833 1471
Schools Bookings
0161 832 1511
Uncover Manchester's industrial past and learn about the fascinating stories of the people who contributed to the history and science of a city that helped shape the modern world. Located on the site of the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station and only minutes from Manchester's City Centre, the Museum's action-packed galleries, working exhibits and costumed characters tell the amazing story of revolutionary discoveries and remarkable inventions both past and present - a memorable day out for everyone!
The entire collection of this museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
Venue Type:
Museum
Additional info
Wheelchair access to 98% of the Museum. A loan service is available for Wheelchairs, Mobility Seats, Magnifiers and Water Bowls. (£20 returnable deposit). Handling sessions can be organised for partially sighted and blind visitors. 10 minute pre-sessions are available for most events. For further details, please call 0161 606 0156.
Our collections are Designated by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council as being 'pre-eminent collections of national and international importance'. We also provide access to about a third of our reserve collections through our on-site Collections Centre.
This museum's Designated collections are highly focused on the science and industry of the North West and, as a result of the region's pre-eminent role in industrial history, are often of national and international significance. The wealth of archival material is particularly significant. For example, the electricity industry collections illustrating the context, development and impact of electricity on people's lives, are underpinned by the records for the industry donated by the Electricity Council in 1986. The museum has been recognised with numerous awards for the restoration and interpretation of its historic site, Liverpool Road Station, which is the oldest railway station in the world.
The Museum uses its collections to tell the story of Manchester as the world’s first industrial city. We mainly collect objects that were made or used in the Manchester area. We also hold archives relating to people and companies from the region. We collect items from the present, as well as the past, in order to portray Manchester’s continuing story.
Our object collections range from familiar domestic appliances to unfamiliar manufacturing machinery and scientific instruments. We also collect vehicles, office equipment, models, memorabilia, awards, architectural materials, archaeological finds and, occasionally, works of art. Our collections of business and personal archives include minute books, letters, trade literature (such as catalogues and manuals), engineering drawings and photographs. We also collect textile samples and pattern books, prints, paintings and audiovisual and sound recordings, including oral and video histories.
Collection details
Trade and Commerce, Social History, Science and Technology, Photography, Personalities, Land Transport, Industry, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Aviation, Archives
Key artists and exhibits
- Designated Collection
Experitots
These popular activity sessions for under 5s take place in our hands-on science gallery, Experiment, with a different topic each month. Fun, creative activities, puppets and storytelling help toddlers get the most out of this gallery.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
May Half term programme
A packed programme of free activities, workshops and storytelling sessions for our family audience.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
12-4:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
10am-2:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Experitots
These popular activity sessions for under 5s take place in our hands-on science gallery, Experiment, with a different topic each month. Fun, creative activities, puppets and storytelling help toddlers get the most out of this gallery.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
12-4:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
10am-2:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Experitots
These popular activity sessions for under 5s take place in our hands-on science gallery, Experiment, with a different topic each month. Fun, creative activities, puppets and storytelling help toddlers get the most out of this gallery.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
Experitots
These popular activity sessions for under 5s take place in our hands-on science gallery, Experiment, with a different topic each month.
Fri 25 Jan - 1, 2, 3 - Let's Count!
Fri 1 Mar - Our World
Fri 22 Mar - Things That Move
Fri 26 Apr - Music/Make a Noise
Fri 24 May - Things That Fly
Fri 28 Jun - Materials
Fri 19 July - Big Machines
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3 for one adult and one child
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
10am-2:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
12-4:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
12-4:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
10am-2:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
12-4:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
10am-2:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
10am-2:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Steam School
The Steam School is a half-day course which teaches participants how to drive the battery loco as well as how to drive the Agecroft No. 1 loco and shunt wagons around MOSI's historic site.
Liverpool Road Station was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first purpose-built inter-city passenger railway. The original coach offices (passenger station), warehouse and intervening viaduct survive, making this the world's oldest railway station.
The experience
Your day consists of:
• Introduction and safety talk
• Guided tour of MOSI's Power Hall
• Two hours on the railway, starting with the battery locomotive, and then working on the steam locomotive Agecroft No. 1, where you can drive the locomotive and shunt trucks and carriages
• Two course lunch in MOSI's restaurant
• Certificate.
Other friends are also welcome to visit the railway and watch proceedings during the day at no extra charge and can join in the lunch on payment of a modest charge should they so wish. Obviously the Museum is also open for them to explore.
Suitable for
When
12-4:30pm
Admission
Packages vary. To book, or for more details, please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk
Website
Engines at Work
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of real operational steam engines that powered mills all over the North West and helped to shape our world.
The Power Hall houses one of the world's largest collections of working steam mill engines as well as gas, oil, hot-air and diesel engines, operated daily by our experienced Presenters. Find out how they work and learn about the amazing history of power, from the early water wheel and the horse gin, through to vast horizontal steam engines. Look out for the impressive 1907 McNaught engine, which powered Firgrove Mill.
Most days at 11am and 2.30pm there is a also fascinating, in-depth demonstration of one of the many engines on display by one of our experienced Presenters.
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Website
Hartree Differential Analyser Demos
Watch demonstrations of this mechanical computer, designed by Douglas Hartree of the University of Manchester in 1935.
As with the 'Baby' demos, as this event is run by volunteers, occasionally it is not able to take
place – please call 0161 832 2244 in advance if making a special visit.
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Website
Manchester Mills
Follow the thread of Manchester's cotton industry as our Presenters take you on a whistle-stop tour of how cotton is processed from its raw state to the finished product - a piece of calico cloth. Go back in time to the working mills of 150 years ago and experience the deafening sounds of the mill machines. Find out how the machines changed peoples' lives and listen to the stories of what life was like for thousands of mill workers.
Some of our Presenters have first-hand experience of working in a textile mill. Learn about the working conditions, when respiratory diseases were rife and children as young as five were employed to sweep under these dangerous machines.
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Website
Meet Baby
See the replica of the world's first stored-program computer, the 'Baby', which first ran in 1948 at the University of Manchester, and find out more about this fascinating exhibit from our experienced volunteers.
Although our volunteers try to run the 'Baby' at the times advertised, occasionally these demonstrations cannot be run. Please call 0161 832 2244 before setting off if making a special visit.
For more pictures of 'Baby' visit the MOSI Facebook page.
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Website
xperiment
Please note that the gallery will be closed until 12noon on one Friday each month for our Experitots sessions. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Gallery Summary
Stare into the mirror of infinity, spin the turbulence zone, or watch your own skeleton ride a bike. Some of the most amazing facts about science in everyday life are explained in this fascinating interactive science gallery, where you are encouraged to see, hear, feel and smell science in action.
The new Experiment! includes old favourites such as the Mini, which can be lifted by a small child thanks to the simple power of gears, and the tornado machine, as well as up to 20 innovative new interactives.
Be mesmerised by bubbles passing through giant columns of coloured liquids to demonstrate viscosity, see how many of the city's homes can be lit by using rubbish as power, and measure your reactions against the speed of light or the flapping of a fly's wings.
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Website
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