National Science and Media Museum
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Bradford
What it’s like
Free galleries on photography, film and gaming, plus an interactive light and sound lab and the UK's largest cinema screen.
This is a proper day of pressing buttons and poking at exhibits rather than reading labels behind glass. The galleries cover photography, film, television, animation, gaming and sound, and Wonderlab is the bit built for hands-on messing about with light and sound rather than looking at it from a rope barrier. There's an IMAX cinema too, with the UK's largest screen, though that's worth checking as a separate thing to plan around rather than assuming it's included in wandering round.
Entry is free, which is the sort of detail that makes a rainy Tuesday in Bradford an easy decision. It's open daily, 10 to 5, and you can just turn up. They do say book online at busy times if you want to skip a longer wait, but walk-up entry is there for anyone who didn't plan that far ahead.
Under-12s need an adult with them throughout, and if you've got young teenagers in tow, take their parents' contact details along in case anything happens while they're off exploring on their own. The café runs until 4pm, so don't leave lunch too late if you're after a sit-down inside the building rather than a snack on the go.
It's well set up if wheelchairs, buggies or a quieter moment are part of your day. There's a quiet room in the main foyer with sofas and sensory toys, a hearing loop, and lifts to the upper galleries. Parking right outside is limited to three blue badge spaces with a four-hour limit, so most people will end up in one of the nearby council car parks or walking the five minutes from Bradford Interchange station.
Facilities
Need to know
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended at busy times, walk-up entry available
- Parking
- Three blue badge spaces at front with 4-hour limit
- Food
- Café open 10.00–16.00, and Pictureville Bar open Tuesday–Sunday for cinema customers
- Wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchairs available to borrow (pre-book via 033 0058 0058 or [email protected])
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcome, must be supervised and on lead
- Getting there by bus or train
- Five-minute walk from Bradford Interchange station
- Free wifi is available throughout under the 'Free Museum WiFi' network
- The IMAX cinema and some experiences may have their own age restrictions
- Changing Places facilities and baby change are both on site
- Broadway car park nearby offers pre-bookable evening parking for £4
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Entry is free. The IMAX cinema is a separate ticketed thing on top.
Do we need to book?
No, you can walk up on the day. Booking online is recommended if you're going at a busy time to avoid a longer wait to get in.
What are the age rules?
Children under 12 must be with an adult the whole time. Teenagers aged 13 to 17 need to give staff a parent or guardian's contact details when they arrive.
Is there parking?
Only three blue badge spaces out front, capped at four hours. Nearby council car parks on Sharpe Street and Radwell Drive charge for parking, or it's a five-minute walk from Bradford Interchange station.
What food is there?
The café is open 10am to 4pm for food and drinks. The Pictureville Bar opens Tuesday to Sunday for cinema customers.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The galleries, lifts and cinema spaces are wheelchair accessible. A small number of manual wheelchairs can be borrowed if you call or email ahead to check availability.
Is there anywhere quiet if it gets too much?
There's a quiet room in the main foyer with sofas and a box of sensory toys, free to use whenever it's not occupied.
Can we bring the dog?
Only working assistance dogs, on a lead or in a carrier. Pets aren't allowed in.
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