The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester tells the story of Manchester as the world’s first industrial city and the North West as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
A diverse range of exhibits are housed on the site and in the buildings of Manchester Liverpool Road Railway Station. It opened in 1830 and was the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world’s first intercity railway.
The Revolution Manchester Gallery explores the city’s rich legacy of innovations. Exhibits include a replica of Baby, the first computer able to store and run programs. It was invented at the University of Manchester in 1948.
The Textiles Gallery tells the story of how cotton transformed the economy and culture of Manchester and North West England. Exhibits include one of Richard Arkwright’s Water Frames. Patented in 1769, this spinning machine could be operated by unskilled workers and revolutionised the cotton manufacturing process.
The Air and Space Hall sits across the road from the main site. The former market building houses an impressive collection of aeroplanes, cars, and other vehicles. Highlights include an Avro Shackleton (RAF long-range maritime patrol plane), a Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (WWII Japanese kamikaze plane), and a Ford Model T (the world’s first affordable car).
Admission to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry is free. There’s a fee for some touring exhibitions and special shows.
Facilities at the museum include a cafe, restaurant, shop and toilets.
The Science and Industry Museum is located on Liverpool Road in the St John’s area of Manchester city centre (postcode M3 4FP). It’s just north of Castlefield and west of Deansgate.
Car parks nearby include the NCP Manchester Great Northern. It’s open 24 hours and is situated on Watson Street (postcode M3 4EE). It is just 250 yards from the museum.
The nearest train station is Deansgate. The closest Metrolink tram stop is Deansgate-Castlefield. Both are with walking distance.
Manchester Piccadilly Train Station is around 1 mile away. A free bus service leaves from outside the station entrance and stops near the museum.
Other attractions nearby include Mamucium, the Castlefield Bowl, Great Northern, and Manchester Opera House.
Nearby Attractions
Tourist attractions and things to do near Manchester Science and Industry Museum include:
- Castlefield Bowl (0.1 miles) - Outdoor events venue in the Castlefield area of Manchester.
- Mamucium – Roman Fort (0.1 miles) - Reconstruction of a Roman Fort in Castlefield, Manchester.
- Opera House Manchester (0.2 miles) - Theatre in Manchester hosting West End shows and musicals.
- Great Northern (0.2 miles) - Entertainment and retail complex with cinema, casino, restaurants, and shops.
- Comedy Store Manchester (0.2 miles) - Comedy club at Deansgate Locks.
- Deansgate Locks (0.3 miles) - Home to the Comedy Store and several bars and restaurants
- People’s History Museum (0.3 miles) - Tells the story of working people in the UK.
- Hacienda (0.3 miles) - Legendary nightclub owned by Factory Records (now apartments)
- Manchester Central (0.3 miles) - Manchester's major event and conference centre.
- Bridgewater Hall (0.4 miles) - Modern, international concert venue.
- HOME Manchester (0.4 miles) - Theatre, cinema and art gallery at First Street, Manchester.
Nearby Cinemas
Cinemas near Manchester Science and Industry Museum include:
- Odeon Manchester Great Northern (0.2 miles) - 16-screen cinema at the Great Northern complex.
Nearby Restaurants
Restaurants and places to eat and drink near Manchester Science and Industry Museum include:
- Rump N Ribs (0 miles)
- Sapporo Teppanyaki (0.1 miles)
- Don Marco (0.1 miles)
- Dimitri's (0.2 miles)
- Evuna Deansgate (0.2 miles)
- Dukes 92 (0.2 miles)
- Albert's Shed (0.2 miles)
- Platzki (0.2 miles) - Modern Polish restaurant in the Great Northern Building. Menu changes frequently. Close to Manchester Central and the Bridgewater Hall.
- 20 Stories (0.2 miles)
- Bill's (0.2 miles)
- Tattu (0.2 miles)
- The Ivy Spinningfields (0.2 miles)
- The Wharf (0.2 miles)
- James Martin (0.2 miles)
- Almost Famous (0.3 miles)
- Manahatta (0.3 miles) - New York inspired restaurant and bar on Deansgate. Great interior. Close to Manchester Opera House and Odeon Manchester.
- Revolucion de Cuba (0.3 miles)
- Thaikhun (0.3 miles)
- The Alchemist (0.3 miles)
- Fazenda (0.3 miles) - Brazilian steakhouse at Spinningfields. Skewers of meat are brought to your table. Close to the John Rylands Library, Manchester Opera House, Great Northern, and the People’s History Museum.
- Hawksmoor (0.3 miles)
- Iberica (0.3 miles)
- Albert's Schloss (0.3 miles)
- Gusto (0.3 miles)
- The Oast House (0.3 miles)
- Australasia (0.3 miles)
- Restaurant MCR (0.3 miles) - Fabulous high-end British restaurant at Spinningfields. Tasting menus.
- Asha's (0.4 miles)
- Indian Tiffin Room (0.4 miles)
- Red's True Barbeque (0.4 miles)
- Adam Reid at The French (0.4 miles)
- The Albert Square Shop House (0.4 miles)
- Tampopo (0.4 miles) - Pan-Asian restaurant offering dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, and more.
Nearby Hotels
Hotels near Manchester Science and Industry Museum include:
- The Oxnoble (0 miles)
- Castlefield Hotel (0.1 miles)
- Great John Street Hotel (0.1 miles)
- The Edwardian Manchester, A Radisson Collection Hotel (0.3 miles)
- Manchester Hall (0.3 miles)
- Campanile Manchester (0.4 miles)
Nearby Train Stations
Train stations near Manchester Science and Industry Museum include:
- Deansgate Train Station (0.2 miles) - Train station near Manchester Central.
Nearby Metrolink Stations
Metrolink stations near Manchester Science and Industry Museum include:
- Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink Tram Stop (0.2 miles) - Interchange stop in Manchester city centre.
Map
Map showing location of Manchester Science and Industry Museum.
Details
Manchester Science and Industry Museum
Address and postcode
Liverpool Road
Manchester
Greater Manchester
United Kingdom
M3 4FP
Stu Parker says
You could certainly spend the best part of a day here if you want to see everything. It is a very hands-on museum with lots of interactive exhibits. Some of the exhibits have been around for a while but they try their best to keep things as fresh as possible.
Jen says
This is a great place to visit. Our kids love it. The museum is very big with lots of different sections and things to see. You could easily spend a day here.