Science, Media and Industry Museums in Bradford

In Brief.

Bradford hosts the National Science and Media Museum in a large modern building in the city centre, which features engaging hands-on science exhibits and comprehensive spaces on aspects of the media, such as the history of photography, and media technologies and their uses. The Industrial Museum occupies a former mill building, and is more conventional in basing exhibits on important collections of steam engines, textile machinery and motor vehicles.

Science and Media Museum

What's Here?

The National Science and Media Museum is a large, engaging and modern museum.  The focus seems to be more on media than science, with a substantial and varied Sound and Vision exhibition across two floors covering a variety of media related topics from hardware to special effects.  These include items such as cameras and props, and a wide range of focused areas, for example on sound recording and the Cottingley Fairies. There is also a floor on the history of photography and a hands-on science space called Wonderlab with lots of interesting devices for interacting with.  Along with the temporary exhibitions, it would be possible to spend a whole day at the museum.

Photographing water drops in the Wonderlab

The Science and Media Museum is across the road from the city hall, and I had a wander into the city centre with low expectations, on the assumption that Bradford would be some way behind Manchester and Leeds in terms of redevelopment.  However, the city centre is in excellent shape.  The city hall itself is a striking Victorian Gothic building, adjacent to landscaped public spaces, and the town centre is a blend of historic and generally sympathetic modern buildings connected by pedestrianised streets.  The centre also seems to be thriving, and the airy Broadway shopping centre was bustling on my weekday visit.

Two miles from the city centre, the Bradford Industrial Museum occupies an 1875 textile mill for making woolen cloth. Reflecting this, one floor of the museum contains the full spectrum of machines used to convert wool into cloth; none of these were in operation during my weekday visit in the winter, so there may be more action during weekends or the school holidays. The museum also has a variety of printing machines, steam engines and an extensive collection of Jewett cars that were made in Bradford.

Jowlett cars in the Industrial Museum

Other things to see in Bradford include the Art and Industrial Heritage at Saltaire and the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 48 miles.

Drive Time: 1 hour.

Price: Both museums are free but request donations.

Parking: There is a variety of paid parking in Bradford city centre, and there is a carpark at the Industrial Museum.

Food and Drink: The Science and Media Museum has a pleasant cafe.  There is not a cafe at the Industrial Museum.

Retail therapy: Both museums have gift shops, the Science and Media Museum with some more wacky things.

Child Friendly: The Science and Media Museum has plenty hands-on activities.

Toilets: In both places.

Do it justice in: The Science and Media Museum: 2 hours; Industrial Museum: 90 minutes

Inside-Outside: Both 100:0.

 

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