Visit us
Normal hours of operation
Open every day 10.00am till 5.00pm (last admission 4pm)
Peak season - 1 May – 4 Nov + 2 weeks Easter + February half term
Off-peak season - 5 Nov – 30 Apr apart from 2 weeks Easter + February half term
Closure Periods
December 17th-26th, 31st and 1-2nd January 2013
THE CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC JUNE 23RD AND 24TH FOR THE MUSIC FESTIVAL. TICKETS HOLDER ONLY.
Directions (pdf)
Site map (pdf)
Things to see and do
The Lovell Telescope
The giant Lovell Telescope is an internationally renowned and awe inspiring landmark. Visitors can walk along a pathway close to the base to gain a deeper understanding into how it works and the history of Jodrell Bank.
Explore the Planets!
Our Planet Path backpacks are proving to be popular!
Borrow one of our new backpacks and learn about the Solar System as you make your journey along the Planet Path. Backpacks contain a map, instruction sheet and activities to try as you stop at each planet along the way. Particularly suitable for children aged 4-10 years. Younger children may need adult assistance. Backpacks may be borrowed for 1 hour sessions from the Shop in the Planet Pavilion. Please note: This activity requires a returnable deposit of £20 or submission of credit card details.
This project has been funded by the IOP
Space Pavilion
How did the Universe begin? What is a black hole?
Our main exhibition building - the Space Pavilion allows visitors to find answers to the wonders the Universe, listen to the sounds of the Big Bang and explore the invisible Universe using a range of hands on activities.
Next to the exhibition room is our events space which provides a range of events for all the family. Ask an Expert is one of our most popular features – click here to see the events programme
Planet Pavilion
Within the Planet Pavilion you will find our Café with outside terrace which offers fantastic views of the Lovell Telescope. We also have a giftshop and a small exhibition room where you can explore our Universe and learn more about the planets using our model of the Solar System.
Gardens
Jodrell Bank Gardens (arboretum) has a new fully accessible pathway and a new playground/picnic area.
We also have an exciting new feature - The Galaxy Garden created by TV Gardener Chris Beardshaw which is built around themes of Space and Astronomy. The garden is still in the early stages of growth so we hope it will have fully matured by next summer.
'Early scientists like Galileo were inspired and captivated not just by science and their studies of the Universe but by the beauty of the garden and nature
Plants are governed by the many conditions of our planet but also by other elements, most notably the Sun and the Moon. Designing and building a garden based on the galaxy is a great opportunity to explain some of the lessons and themes of astronomy and to demonstrate the interconnectedness of our solar system, the galaxy and the wider universe.'
Planetarium - Visitor Notice
As many returning visitors are aware, the Jodrell Bank Planetarium was demolished in 2003, alongside the original visitor centre and all the exhibits that it contained. Since that time, there have been only interim visitor facilities at the site.
Our new Centre is the first phase of a re-development of our visitor facilities and includes a Planet Pavilion which is the main welcome centre. It has a fantastic glass-walled cafe with outside terrace, exhibition room and gift shop.
The Centre also has a new Space Pavilion, which provides visitors with hands on interactive activities, based around the workings of Jodrell Bank, Live data from the Lovell Telescope, information from people who work at Jodrell Bank and explores the wonders of our Universe.
As we have received a lot of enquiries about this over the last 6 months, we would like to let visitors know that, although we currently don’t have a Planetarium, we are already looking to secure funding for this as we know it was a much loved feature.
Supported by
The University of Manchester
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 9DL
United Kingdom