...it was exactly the sort of thing..... (Jodrell Bank Observatory and Arboretum (Manchester))

Member Name: rune_tune

Product:	Jodrell Bank Observatory and Arboretum (Manchester)
Date:	14/03/08 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great day out for all the family

Disadvantages: Not all exhibitions currently available and won't be for a while

"...........and Jodrell Bank looked straight through them, which was a pity because it was exactly the sort of thing they'd been looking for all these years......" These lines come from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but Jodrell Bank is most certainly not a work of fiction, but a very real place, and one you can visit.

This summer my partner and I, plus a couple of friends decided to return to Jodrell Bank having not been there for a couple of years. The last time we had gone, the dish was being refurbished, so were hadn't be able to see it in operation.
It is easy enough to find, with it being well signposted off the motorway and main roads. You do though come into a very narrow road right at the end, so please do proceed with caution. As you drive up, you can see not just the main dishes, but also smaller ones they have at the site.
You enter the car park, and the dish predominants the immediate landscape. Then as you walk towards the visitor centre, you notice a bust bronze statue, looking strangely alone in a vast expanse of lawn area, detached from the rest of the location. You do eventually find out this is a bust of someone called Nicolaus Copernicus 1473 - 1543, astronomer. It does all rather strangely remote to the rest of the place!

When we got there this time they were also undergoing major refurbishment of the planetarium and extensive exhibitions they used to have.
But on the upside, admission costs had been reduced to reflect this from the last time we were there, and currently stand at £1-50 for adults which is still very good value.
Another upside from the last visit is the newly installed observational Pathway that stretches 180 degrees around the base of the Lovell Telescope. This pathway has various boards and signage with information about the scope and Jodrell Bank. You also realize there are items on the floor, all relating in some way to astronomy and the stars (Planets and the Sun). You soon realize this is The Solar System Trail, which starts at the Sun in front of the dish, and carries on right through not only the walkway area, but right on into the Arboretum (gardens).

The pathway also allows visitors to get closer to the telescope than ever before, with a small raised deck area at the end of it where you can sit and watch the dish as it rumbles quietly in the background every few minutes (On average every 5 to 7 minutes), as it needs to adjust its position.
With the lack on major exhibitions, they do run a small 3D presentation of a futuristic flight out to Mars. This is particularly good if you've got Children who do seem to enjoy it immensely. It's also fairly interesting for Adults (with or without Children).
There are also some computer panels and TV screens in a small area between the shop and 3D screening area. The computer screens are interactive, allowing you to find out information about Space, Jodrell and other Scientific information. Often using a multiple choice question, you can test some of your knowledge and see how you fair.

The TV screens have a selection of programs you can run. Each vary from just a few minutes to around 10 minutes in length. Again you are given indepth information about Jodrell and some of the work they do there. One example is you get to know how they work inside the Control Room and also the Lovell Observing Room.
Outside one area still there is their version of the whispering gallery (In St Pauls). Its a couple of green painted dishes, 2 meters in diameter, some 30 meters apart, facing each other and some steps so you can walk up to the centre of them. The premise behind them is beautifully simple, and that is to illustrate the idea behind dishes focussing sound waves. You can have someone literally just whispering in the other dish and it can sound as is they are right next to you!
Children and Adults alike all love trying them out.

The shop has some of the typical souvenir type items, that is within range of Children's pocket money. They also have some more expensive adult orientated items, mostly books and media (DVD's and CD's) relating to Space, Jodrell and Science. You also pay to go in at the counter in the Shop. Staff are all very helpful, great with children and generally help to make it a memorable experience for the right reasons.

The downside was the cost of even a drink in the Cafe. It is expensive, even for a place like this! I know you expect to pay over the average, but we just took one look at prices and decided to stick with the picnic we had brought along! The cup of coffee would have to wait!
I would advise anyone wishing to go that you either accept your going to pay quite a lot to feed yourselves and drink, or do as we did, take your own food.
We were there one lovely day in June! One of the few we've had this summer. The picnic area is situated on the other side of the car park, next to the Arboretum
Having eaten, we then headed towards the Arboretum and a hut that contains a rather bland Environmental Discovery Centre which we went into first. We felt it didn't quite do enough to hold your attention, but once you enter the Arboretum you can spend time looking out for sundials and sculptures hidden around the place. You also get to see the dish from another angle.
This offers a lovely tranquil area to relax in, a completely different aspect to the main visitors centre.

We were told they have finally secured the funding to begin work on the refurbishments in the main visitor centre. It appears this has taken considerably longer than they had anticipated, but were now confident the scheme would begin later this summer (2007), but they couldn't give a finish date.
Access for disabled is excellent (I have mobility trouble, but not once found it a problem). It is wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

Allowing for the problems with lack of exhibitions or plantitorium they have at the moment, the visit is still very good indeed, and you can still find plenty to do once there. The one major downside is the costs in the cafe. Expensive even for a tourist location of this kind.

Summary: A fascinating place to visit.