National Science and Media Museum opening date after £6m transformation

Artist impression of the newly refurbished foyer at the National Science and Media Museum.
-Credit: (Image: National Science and Media Museum)


A much-loved West Yorkshire attraction will be reopening early with activities and events for the whole family to enjoy.

The National Science and Media Museum will reopen on January 8 with an exciting public programme and revamped spaces, follow a once-in-a-generation transformation as Bradford becomes UK City of Culture. The museum will kick off the reopening with a bang featuring special workshops with Aardman, which will also include screening of A Grand Day Out and model workshops of Wallace and Gromit (January 11).

It will also reopen the museum's IMAX screen early from Friday, December 20, starting with screenings of Mufasa: The Lion King and other listings during the Christmas period.

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Wallace & Gromit workshops at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford
Wallace & Gromit workshops at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford -Credit:1989 NFTS / AARDMAN ANIMATIONS LTD

Other important dates for diaries include David Hockney: Pieced Together which opens on January 15, and Power Up, the hands-on gaming experience to engage visitors of all ages in March. There will also be the Marshmallow Laser Feast in April.

Visitors will also see returning favourites such as interactive gallery Wonderlab and the Kodak photography gallery. After having so much fun at the attraction, visitors will be able to take a break in the new foyer, which includes soft seating, a redesigned shop and the popular Media Café - which is accessible for all due to an additional passenger lift.

This is great news for the city as the museum temporarily closed in June last year to undergo a 'once-in-a-generation transformation' with huge changes through a £6 million capital project called ‘Sound and Vision’, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Now, the museum will have two new permanent galleries, a new passenger lift and improvements to the main entrance.

David Hockney creating a joiner of the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford 19 or 20 July 1985.
David Hockney creating a joiner of the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford 19 or 20 July 1985. -Credit:National Science and Media Museum and Science & Society Picture Library

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum said: “We are delighted to be reopening the museum on 8 January and can’t wait to welcome visitors back into the building.

"With newly transformed spaces, improved accessibility and exciting additions to our public programme, it marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey for both the museum and our community.

"As the year unfolds, we will unveil more exciting improvements to the museum, culminating in the summer with the launch of our spectacular Sound and Vision galleries. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be reopening the museum with the backdrop of an amazing Bradford 2025 programme, making this a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is incredibly exciting that audiences will be welcomed back into the National Science and Media Museum in January as their doors reopen.

"In 1995, the museum was one of the first transformational projects in Yorkshire that received funding from the Heritage Fund, and after 30 years we have supported the museum again with the new Sound and Vision Galleries.

"Showcasing key objects and stories from the museums world-class collection, the new galleries are due to open later in the year, ensuring that the museum will be a star attraction of Bradford City of Culture 2025.”

For more information, please visit: www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/grand-day-out

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