Elizabeth Lees | Feb 25, 2018

Great day out especially for kids in the experiment room. The air and space exhibit is very interesting also. Would definitely go again. Only down side, the only indoor picnic area is in the air and space building which we didn't find till well after lunch. Far too cold to sit outdoors so we ended up perched on the benches near the experiment room. Apart from that, a definite treasure of Manchester.

David Hargraves | Feb 18, 2018

Very disappointing. Used to be a super museum. Much of the Victorian history gone. Many empty halls and rooms which are allegedly part of a 10yr master plan. A couple of small nice additions but this is Manchester and the Greater Manchester area has a huge Victorian heritage so why dispose of it? The gas and slum exhibits gone. The first passenger train station building is like an art gallery for occasional framed pictures than a train station from the era. I can only think the paid exhibits are the what the museum is looking at. But we did not visit the Robots exhibition simply because the rest of the museum is being raped of it's former glory

Tauseefha Bint-Taufiq | Mar 5, 2018

Amazing. Lots of things to do for free. Children from all backgrounds and interests will love coming here. And when they provide the children with a back pack they feel even more special. Thank you for being so caring and friendly.

Philip Hall | Feb 4, 2018

I've been coming here since I was a young boy, then I had a family and brought my own daughter for many years. This was a fabulous place full of sounds and moving machinery. Over the years because of rising costs, less and less machines now operate. I went this Saturday and the power Hall had fallen silent, no longer warm from the steam machines heat, no sounds of large machines moving forwards, backwards and round and round. It was once a 'living museum' now it is like a corpse.... Cold and dead. How very sad that the most interesting and captivating part of the museum has been not got the money to operate. I think the mistake was made years ago when the money was spent on modern 'gimmicks' in other parts of the museum which themselves now look old. The modern attractions don't leave a lasting impression like the moving giants once did in the power Hall. These giant machines with all there noises and moving parts are captivating to the young mind. I left the museum feeling cold and empty.....

Robert Poole | Jan 30, 2018

A fantastic day out with lots to do. The Power Hall where you can view different types of engines is great for steam enthusiasts like my son with a number of steam locomotives including a cut open engine for demonstrations. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and put on a demonstration just for my son. Unfortunately due to cuts in budgets the large steam mill engines are not running. Outside there is a train track and the oldest surviving train station in the world. I feel the museum could make a lot more of this. Due to a recently built flyover the length of the track is truncated and the trains barely seem to operate. Across the road is a collection of aircraft though I haven't been in for a number of years. In the main building is a great gift shop and café and a changing exhibition, at present robots. There is an interesting replica of the first computer which reminds us that Manchester has been at the forefront of scientific discovery for a long time. Interactive exhibitions upstairs are great fun for kids and adults though the whole place feels like it needs a refurbishment. Another victim of austerity...

Christopher Harper | Mar 30, 2018

Love this place as a young teen and still do now as a full grown man. The whole family can enjoy this place and should be on the to-do list for anyone visiting Manchester young or old. The warehouse (pictured) full of old planes is probably the highlight for any dads out there and the main building is gonna be gripping for the little ones, the paid displays are inactive. The cafe and the gift shop are reasonably priced. The bathrooms are good and easy to find. The fact some displays are paid for is a let down, I wanna learn for free!

Gemma Chantler | Mar 6, 2018

A good museum which is free entry (optional donation). Hands on exhibits for the children although many are not working. The engine and air and space exhibits are good for transport enthusiasts. The experiments zone is good for children, but is smaller than once was and a paid for exhibition now takes up much of the space. I wouldn't allocate a full day here. A couple of hours max would be sufficient. Children enjoy the hands on experiment activities.

Bethan Coombe | Apr 4, 2018

Have visited many times and still enjoy a trip. The power hall and textiles areas are still great. Disappointed to find very little in the 1830's warehouse as there is so much empty space. And sad to see the electric and gas section was closed hopefully after some work it will reopen as this was always my favourite bit. Even though we visited on a wet bank holiday Monday and it was busy as the site is so big it didn't matter.

A O'Malley | Mar 20, 2018

The best day out ever, and free too. Street parking can be costly but is a must add traffic wardens are always around. Visit mid week for a more enjoyable experience and regular talks by the experts. Recently went to see the rocket capsule used by Tim Peak. Fabulous exhibition and quite emotive to be so close to this special bit of Russian engineering. Mind blowing.

Kirk Summerwill | Mar 5, 2018

Nice science. The best. Better than those other science. Our science are really the greatest. Better than... No, far better than. And there was the time a friend of mine, very wealthy guy, spend a lot of time there. A LOT. The best.

Chris Kenyon | Apr 22, 2018

Inspirational museum with outstanding exhibits and really well thoughtful presentation. Cannot recommend it highly enough... As well as being on the site of the world’s first train station, the aviation and computing sections were great. Finally do not miss the exhibit on textiles and the textiles industry - it is truly world-class and the kids were totally absorbed by it.

Michael Wilson | Apr 29, 2018

Giving it an extra star because the staff are helpful. But what is the point? Exhibits don't work or are missing vital components. There are pictures where a physical object would be better and inexpensive. Descriptions are small and superficial for what is on display. There's a large "interactive" exhibit as you walk in that takes your picture and puts it on monitors hanging from the ceiling. Worth a visit if you have a spare half hour to burn, but not worth a special trip.

Duncan Stevenson | Apr 21, 2018

Had a fantastic time here with my 18 month old. Lots of interesting and interactive exhibits that she really enjoyed and had fun playing with. Food options were good too, with a café and bistro on site. Only a couple of minor negatives: I found the doors around the museum really hard to open on my own with a pram, and the site itself is quite large so there is a decent amount of walking to do. Other than that, brilliant!

David Titmuss | Apr 28, 2018

Five star attraction. A testament to industrial northern England. A lot of the exhibits here were built locally, great insight into the history of Manchester. Its free as well, although donations are welcome. There are special exhibitions as well that rotate around the year that are also very popular although there is a charge for these. All the museum is wheelchair friendly and is very customer focussed.

Tim Bull | Apr 27, 2018

Well I took my 2 year old and we had great fun. Aeroplane area - best bit. But I'm told t Power house - great fun, but cold in winter. Working open train which is cool. Station house - closed Electrical area - closed Grass area - closed. 1830 Warehouse - one small exhibition (not the best) Great warehouse - lots of things to see and working cotton show is worth a watch for older kids. Cafe - good! Let's hope they keep growing this place. Making it better n Better.

David Patel | May 24, 2018

It is a great place to take children as it make science interactive and interesting for children from 6 years. It is also a great place for adults at the same time as they're able to give information to adults while entertaining kids and teaching them. The map really helps, splitting the sections into 8, allowing you to navigate your day. A true day out for the family. All access and great food. The food is a bit expensive so would suggest going out and coming back if you can. OVERALL I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU GO AS ITS A GENERALLY GREAT PLACE TO GO!!

Darren Axford | May 12, 2018

Not been to this place since the late 90's when it was outstanding. Truly disappointed having visited today. The air and space part is so run down. It really is a dump. Some nice aircraft to see but there's more dust than anything. The science part is really poor too. Years back there was loads of exciting things to do. Now there is not many activities and when it's busy you've got no chance of getting on them. Didn't go to any other part due to the disappointment. And to top if off there are signs every where when you walk in saying 'a £3 donation per person would be grateful. I didn't pay the 3 quid due to the sheer cheek of the signs all over the entrance.

Imran Mughal | May 23, 2018

Wow. An amazing place to take the family and best of all its free! Amazing activities for kids during the breaks and some fantastic exhibits in the engine rooms including some full on rolling stock. Across the road is the Air transport museum. A great insight into the history of aviation. Can be done in a few hours if you whizz round, if there's activities then it can take a little longer.

Gillian Buckley | May 30, 2018

Had a great day, took my grandson who is eight years old he loved it. Made the pinhole camera and joined in the stamp and printing workshop. Lots of hands on . All the staff were friendly and helpful, the cafe reasonably priced. All for free, but I was more than happy to give a donation.

Eef Janssens | Jun 1, 2018

Great museum! It's quite big, so there is a lot to see and to do. And the best thing of all: it's free! Not only for nerds and geeks, because there are a lot of interesting things to see and do. The museum consists of multiple buildings, and every one of them is a surprise

Ben Morris | Jun 28, 2018

Lots to do fro kids, not so much for adults. There are a couple of 'old fashioned' displays for adults, especially in the basement. It has some good railway engines too. The only downside is that the textile part of the museum is currently closed. The aircraft part of the museum is definitely worth visiting with several experimental aircraft. Staff were very helpful. Cafe looks good and does coffee and croissant deal before 11:00am.

Andrew Lickley | Jul 9, 2018

Wow what a museum and such a lot to see. Spread over 5 buildings it has something for everyone. Airplanes of all ages in the air and space hall, Engines of all type and most of them still running at set times of day in the power hall, a smaller exhibit on communications in the 1830 warehouse and the original station to explore in the station building. The last hall is the Great Western Warehouse displaying a wide range of technology as well as the bistro, a den for under 4's and the cafe. Found plenty of toilets throughout the site and lots of friendly staff ready to engage with and some with specific children's activities. Not much parking around but pretty well signed when visiting by foot or tram. Great to see its FREE to visit with a recommended donation (£3.00) if you can afford it. Do visit the Warehouse cafe after 2pm for your coffee and cream scone for just £2.75 ! . We visited on a hot sunny day and found plenty of places to picnic including some indoors.

Greg Bodnar | Jun 25, 2018

I was pleased with my visit and took a second trip with the kids, exploring the activity area above the entrance. There were some schoolchildren already up there, which highlighted the need to arrange activities for age groups. My boys were consistently pushed aside by the older children. The visit to the power hall was less crazy and left a better impression with the kids, especially the running of the steam engine. While it would be nice to see interactive activities that could be run in the power hall, the presentation style was a bit soothing for the children around us and made for a better overall visit. Our final stop was at the airplanes. The kids were again fascinated by the exhibits and didn't really notice that the building itself is getting a bit tired and dated. I noticed a display of bicycles upstairs, but was closed for some reason. I hope that some work and funding is planned for refreshing the building around the airplanes.

Stephen Wells | Jun 22, 2018

An excellent FREE day out. Took my grandson (6) who really enjoyed the child friendly hands on displays and live short lectures with audience participation. Fabulous static displays covering transport, engineering, aero and cotton spinning. Good rest rooms and dining facilities. Well informed guides on hand to give informed talks on the exhibits. Brilliant experience.

Bea Foster | Jul 29, 2018

Pram and wheelchair access is iffy to say the least. Not all entrances and exits have sloped or lift access, the doors are heavy and handle operated and I think you would struggle if alone. There isn't clear signage to tell you this before you move through the door and it gets frustrating, quickly. I understand these are very old buildings and whilst this is part of the charm the flow is an issue. Moving down one side of an exhibit only to find steps access at the end is another area of frustration. You have to walk all the back down the exhibit and around the other side, this might not be such an issue on a term time weekday but on a Saturday it's frustratingly difficult to navigate when narrow walkways combine with high numbers of people. I don't think the suggested donation of £3 per person is too much at all but to call it a donation is a bit of a stretch. The barriers are set up in such a way that you have to pass by the cashier who is standing next to a till and a big, clear box of money. I can imagine it being quite embarrassing if you were to arrive and didn't have those funds. Either allow people to pass by this area or just charge £3 entry. The cashier was very friendly, however, and made sure to thank me for my donation. £3 is excellent value and I have no problem paying it, maybe even a little more but please don't advertise it as free and then orchestrate entry to make it as awkward as possible not to donate- just charge the money and advertise the fee. Overall it is a great place and excellent value for money but I would advise opting for quieter times if you have restricted mobility.

Tim Bull | Aug 13, 2018

Well I took my 2 year old and we had great fun. And considering it free.. it's worth a good 3 stars. Aeroplane area - best bit. But I'm told it's closing. Power house - great fun, but cold in winter. Working open train which is cool in summer only. Station house - closed Electrical area - closed Grass area - closed. 1830 Warehouse - one small exhibition (not the best) Great warehouse - lots of things to see and working cotton show is worth a watch for older kids. Cafe - good! Let's hope they keep growing this place. Making it better n Better.

Stu | Aug 3, 2018

Great place to take kids of all ages. Lots of interactive things for them to get to grips with. Great for adults too. Very informative. And best of all its free. You can donate to the museum. If you wish. Well worth the visit.

Angelique de Berg | Aug 13, 2018

Great experience and adventure. The exhibitions are located in 4 different buildings easily accessible for everybody. The place offers vast knowledge from many fields and additional shows are provided by staff. Everyone can visit VR space tour or aircraft simulator. There are picnic and dining areas and shops as well. The exhibitions are well presented and the experiments floor is amazing adventure for any person of any age. Highly recommended.