First Light Pavilion
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Macclesfield
What it’s like
A planetarium film about Jodrell Bank, a working orrery and a whispering dish outside to shout across the lawn at.
The film in the auditorium tells the story of Jodrell Bank, and it's the sort of thing that works on a six-year-old and a sixty-year-old at the same time, which is rarer than it sounds. From there you wander into the First Light exhibition for the audio-visual displays, then the Space Pavilion for the science bits, and the Clockwork Orrery in Planet Pavilion is worth saving for last since it's the working model of the solar system everyone's been waiting to see.
Outside there's a play area with a woodchip surface and the whispering dishes, which are exactly what they sound like and good for ten minutes of shouting across a lawn at each other. The arboretum has no proper paths though, so if it's been raining and you've got a buggy, that bit's more paddle than stroll.
Parking's free for around 320 cars, which is one less thing to think about, but getting here without a car is genuinely awkward. There's no bus route and the nearest train station, Goostrey, is two miles off with no walking route, so this is one for driving to. Once you're there, the two cafés cover you, Planet Café all day and First Light Café at weekends, and you can bring a packed lunch and eat it in the indoor picnic areas if you'd rather save your money for the gift shop.
Last entry is 15.30 and it's open Tuesday to Sunday. If you've got a child who finds busy exhibitions a lot, the first Sunday of the month has a relaxed opening from 10 to 11 with lower numbers and less stimulation, which is a thoughtful touch.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 15:30
- Parking
- Free on-site parking for around 320 cars and 4 coaches
- Food
- Two cafés: Planet Café (10:00-16:30 daily) and First Light Café (11:00-15:00 weekends only), offering homemade sausage rolls, pasties
- Picnics
- Packed lunches allowed in indoor picnic areas and outdoor picnic spots including near First Light Pavilion and in Comet Lodge
- Wheelchairs
- Available to hire on a first come first served basis
- Getting there by bus or train
- Nearest train station Goostrey (2 miles away, no walking route)
- No scooters, bikes, skateboards or ride-on toys allowed anywhere on site
- The arboretum has no paths, so it's rough going in a buggy after rain
- Two cafés: Planet Café daily, First Light Café weekends only
- Relaxed openings run 10-11am on the first Sunday of the month
- Wheelchairs are first come first served, book ahead if you need one
Plan your visit
How much does it cost and do we need to book?
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you can turn up on the day.
What time do you need to arrive by?
Last entry is 15.30, and it's open 10 to 5, Tuesday to Sunday.
Is parking free?
Yes, all 320-odd spaces on site, no extra charge, plus 20 accessible spaces on tarmac.
Can we get there by public transport?
It's tricky. No buses come here, and the closest train station, Goostrey, is two miles away with no walking route in.
Can we just come for a coffee, not the whole visit?
The Planet Café is open 10 to 4.30 and you don't need a ticket to sit in and enjoy the view.
Can we bring our own food?
Packed lunches are fine in the indoor picnic areas or outside near the Pavilion and Comet Lodge. Café tables are for café customers though.
Is it suitable for a child who finds busy places overwhelming?
The first Sunday of every month has a relaxed opening from 10 to 11 with limited numbers and reduced stimulus.
Are wheelchairs available on site?
First come first served, though it's worth booking ahead if you can.
Is the outdoor area buggy friendly?
The play area and dishes are fine, but the arboretum has no pathways and gets muddy and uneven depending on the season.
Can children go round on their own?
Under-18s need to stay with an adult throughout the visit.
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