The Jodrell Bank Observatory, part of the University of Manchester, is an observatory in Cheshire that hosts a number of radio telescopes.
The main telescope is the 76m high Lovell Telescope. It came to prominence in 1957 when it spotted Russia’s Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite, and has played an important role in research into quasars, pulsars, and gravitational lenses.
Discovery Centre
The new visitor centre opened in April 2011 and features a new exhibition building, the Space Pavilion. The Planet Pavilion features a glass-walled café with views of the Lovell Telescope and a gift shop.
Opening Times
The Discovery Centre is open Monday to Saturday. Opening times are 10 am to 5 pm.
Arboretum and Gardens
Visitors can walk around the telescope and find out more about its history and Jodrell Bank from a series of information boards dotted along the path.
Jodrell Bank also boats a 35 acre arboretum with more than 1,000 types of trees, including the National Collections of crab apples and rowans.
Entrance Fee
Tickets in the peak season (May 1 to October 31 and Easter) cost £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for children (4 – 16), students, and seniors. A ticket for a family of 4 costs £20.
In the winter months the entrance fee is £5.50 for adults and £4 for children and concessions. Tickets for a family of 4 cost £17.
Location & Directions
Jodrell Bank is located just off the A535, just south of Alderley Edge.
Leave the M6 at Junction 18 and take the A54 to Holmes Chapel and then the A535 to Jodrell Bank.
The recommended postcode to use with sat navigation systems in SK11 9DW.
