National Science and Media Museum
At the National Science and Media Museum, we explore the science and culture of light and sound technologies and their impact on our lives. We aim to inspire the scientists and engineers of the future to see more, hear more, think more and do more.
Our galleries and exhibition spaces help us illuminate world-famous collections in photography, film and television. Our team of Explainers create learning activities that fuel the imagination and get under the skin of our collections and exhibitions. And our three cinema screens—including an IMAX theatre—allow us to showcase the magic of moving images from around the world in Bradford, the first UNESCO City of Film.
We’re part of the Science Museum Group, along with the Science Museum in London, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York, and Locomotion in Shildon.
Venue Type:
Museum
The National Science and Media Museum is home to more than 3 million items of historical and cultural significance.
Our collection is devoted to the science and culture of image and sound. It includes three pivotal firsts: the world’s earliest known surviving negative, the earliest television footage, and the camera that made the earliest moving pictures in Britain.
Collection details
Archives, Film and Media, Photography, Science and Technology
Key artists and exhibits
- The world's first negative
- The earliest television footage
- The camera that made the earliest moving pictures in Britain
- Louis Le Prince's 1888 films Roundhay Garden Scene and Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge
- BBC Collection
- Kodak Collection
- Daily Herald Archive
- Tony Ray-Jones Archive
- Hammer Films collection
Wonderlab
- 23 March 2017 — 1 January 2023 *on now
Think like a scientist in Wonderlab, our newest and most interactive gallery exploring light and sound through mind-bending exhibits and spectacular live shows.
Touch, try and photograph your experience as you navigate your way through more than 20 exhibits. Hear your voice echo through a 15m-long tube, get lost in mirrors, make art using light, and travel through a laser tunnel.
Live experiments and extraordinary experiences will take you on a journey, changing how you see the world around you.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
Admission
Free ticket required
Website
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/wonderlab
The Forgotten Showman
- 22 November 2019 — 29 March 2020 *on now
Discover how Robert Paul, the forgotten pioneer of cinematography, invented British cinema.
The year is 1894—a time of competition and innovation. Young engineer Robert Paul is sitting in his workshop when two businessmen arrive with the proposition of a lifetime.
Discover the beginnings of a new industry, enter the magic of the music hall and witness the race for the next big thing in entertainment: cinema. In the heart of Bradford, the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, we are proud to reveal this forgotten hero of cinema, 150 years after his birth.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Free entry
Website
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/forgotten-showman
A CBBC Games Half Term
- 15 — 23 February 2020 *on now
This February half term, discover the world of videogames with CBBC. Try brand new games, have a go at coding and play along with the experts!
What does it take to digitise the wild antics of the Operation Ouch! doctors? How do you bring the exciting adventures of The Dumping Ground online? And just how does a cartoon about a secret agent mouse come to life as a game? Come along to our CBBC Games half term and find out!
There’ll be play zones previewing the latest CBBC game releases from Danger Mouse, The Worst Witch and The Next Step. Play along in a new coding gameshow in Wonderlab, get top tips from the experts, and learn how user testing helps improve CBBC’s amazing games. Or just chill out with one of the CBeebies apps, packed with games, stories and activities from your favourite CBeebies friends.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Free; booking required for some activities
Website
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/cbbc-games-half-term
From the Moon to your living room: the Apollo 11 broadcast
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/moon-to-living-room-apollo-11-broadcast
The Moon landing was one of the biggest television events in history, reaching an estimated 650 million viewers. Discover the story of the planning and technological development that led to this incredible milestone in broadcasting.
Creator
- National Science and Media Museum
Publisher
- National Science and Media Museum
Robert Paul and the race to invent cinema
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/robert-paul-race-to-invent-cinema
Robert Paul was one of the most important and prolific figures in Victorian cinema. This forgotten pioneer of cinematography created equipment, business practices and filmmaking techniques that helped to shape the film industry as we know it today.
Creator
- National Science and Media Museum
Publisher
- National Science and Media Museum
Science Museum Group learning resources
https://learning-resources.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
This website brings together resources from our museums, including activities, games and videos. Discover activities to support a range of curriculum topics for use in the classroom, in museum galleries and beyond.
Publisher
- Science Museum Group
The history of photography in pictures
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/history-photography
From 1835 to the early 21st century, our curators have picked some of the most important and memorable images in our care, providing a fascinating glimpse into the history of photography.
Creator
- National Science and Media Museum
Publisher
- National Science and Media Museum
National Science and Media Museum
Pictureville
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD1 1NQ
England
Website
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/
General Enquiries
talk.nsmm@scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk
Telephone
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