Science and Industry Museum Manchester

March 2019

The museum provided a temping opportunity for me to visit. While I was in Manchester for work. Arriving at the museum, I was warmly greeted upon walking up to reception. A member of staff explained key information about the museum and that part of it was closed for refurbishment. A leaflet, I was given gave me further information telling me about the great talks that were on that day. I set off to explore the museum. I was instantly struck by the rocket exhibit. A lovely staff member was discussing interesting details of this locomotive with other visitors. A show was starting shortly after I arrived, so I waited around the entrance area waiting for it to start., It was a really interesting show exploring the uses of electricity. The show was really interactive and would be appealing to a wide-ranging audience including children and adults.

The museum is well set out with a wide range of interesting exhibits. The museum offers visitors a leaflet telling visitors of the many daily events that the museum offers. A range of talks explored the history of the cotton industry. The cotton industry gallery was interesting space on the museum ground floor. It contains many large machines on display, I waited for the demonstration of one of these machines, the staff were really informative and interesting as they showed one of the working machines and how it would have been used and its role in a cotton factory. I missed a later demonstration when several machines are demonstrated to visitors which I would of liked to seen.

The Bistro

I explored the first floor of the museum’s main building. Which is great place for children. Its filled with engaging activates that children can easily have fun and be able to learn as they play. I enjoyed going on the cycling machine which shows how the skeleton works. It was lunch time and I was ready for some food.

I walked into the bistro entrance and waited to be seated. The staff member provided me with a very warm and friendly greeting. The bistro is a warm light and airy space, I was seated in a booth. I was handed a menu and informed that I needed to order at the counter. Looking through the menu I ordered a pizza, a nice refreshing bottle of a local breweries brown ale and a portion of chips. The pizza and chips were very nice a perfect lunch time snack. The brown ale was cold and refreshing.

After lunch I enjoyed the electricity temporary exhibition. It was fascinating learning the early history of it and how it has evolved from the power stations to the cables. Visiting the other museum buildings which included an old warehouse building which hosted an interesting exhibition focusing on different forms of media including TV and radio. Crossing the courtyard to the Victorian Station Waiting Room, provided a fascinating insight into how a railway station would have looked for wealthy travellers. The final building I explored covered a range of different trains and carriages and large machinery. It was interesting space to explore.

Café

I ended my visit with a piece of cake and a cool drink in the museum’s café. It is located at the visitor entrance. The cake was delicious. It is a lovely little venue for visitors to the museum or those simply passing by. It offered a good range of sandwiches and snacks, it was a great place to finish off my visit to the museum.

I really recommend this museum, it offers a great family experience and exhibits an interesting selection of exhibitions. On my next visit to Manchester I look forward to visiting this museum again.