Jodrell Bank, First Light Pavilion

We had a great day here! Went on a whim as live not too far away, seems they have upgraded and built a lot more on the site when speaking to people who went a while back ! The free talks were very good and the free films however we didn’t manage to make it into the paid films as didn’t have enough seating, but this didn’t ruin our visit. Plenty to do and read about and spent around 5 hours here, also got to see the telescope moving

Jodrell Bank – The world of space awaits you What is Jodrell Bank? Jodrell Bank is an UNESCO World Heritage site that is located in the heart of Macclesfield, Greater Manchester. It is a great place for die hard space fans. This brilliant museum holds a range of exhibitions, displays, talks and dome shows that take place throughout the year. The site of Jodrell Bank is unique in that the building is spread out into 4 separate buildings across lovely surroundings. Jodrell Bank consists of 3 Pavilions. They are: The First Light Pavilion The Planet Pavilion The Space Pavilion There are also outdoor exhibitions too. Exhibitions Visited The Story of Jodrell Bank This exhibition explores how Jodrell Bank became the place that it is today. It was an engaging, interactive and informative exhibition that explored RADAR technology and how the Lovell Telescope was developed. It was also interesting learning about the life of the person that created the telescope. There was a school report that showed that he was not good at school but that then changed when he got older. It was great that this exhibition used a variety of mediums such as text, photography, time- lines and videos. This ensured a fulfilling experience that stimulated all the senses. Interactive Sections In addition to the exhibition there were also some fun and entertaining interactive elements too. This consisted of a dressing up section where you could wear a number of coats and hats like a spy. It was cool. There were some cool games and jigsaws relating to space that gave a fun perspective on these issues. One thing that I really enjoyed here was the spinning thing that when turned it moved the telescope. That was an awe-inspiring moment. Entry and Admission In order to visit Jodrell Bank you are required to book a time slotted ticket and to pay for it online in advance of your visit. For price details then visit the Jodrell Bank website for further information. Facilities Jodrell Bank has a café that serves hot and cold food such as sandwiches, pasties and cakes. They also offer a variety of hot and cold drinks. It is reasonably priced. Toilets are on site. Lighting and Access Some of the exhibition spaces at Jodrell Bank have dim lighting however using my Smart glasses enabled me to read the information and to see the objects to the best of my ability. In relation to access then there is a step in order to enter the building and the other supporting parts of the building. There are ramps to access the various rooms in each of the 3 Pavilions. Parking Jodrell Bank has its own designated car park where you are required to pay for it online. However if you have a Blue Badge due to a disability then parking is free. If you want to learn about space in a fun, immersive, engaging, and interactive way then Jodrell Bank is the perfect place to do that and more.

A lovely, if not quirky, for us, day out. Interesting exhibits, content & well laid out across the site, all within easy walking distance. Highlights were definately the enormity of the construction of the dish & the mystery of the 'Whispering Dishes'....wow! The visit was made all the better thanks to the great customer service & contributions from three lovely, helpful ladies, Kerry, Louise & Samantha who interacted with us in different locations throughout our visit. Brilliant 👏 👏 thank you.