Out Of This World and Down To Earth (Jodrell Bank Observatory and Arboretum (Manchester))

Member Name: Rocco

Product:	Jodrell Bank Observatory and Arboretum (Manchester)
Date:	14/05/01 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some interesting exhibits, Nice grounds

Disadvantages: Could be a little more to see, Cafe could be better

The main part of Jodrell Bank is the famous Lovell telescope and the entire theme of the exhibits are science and in particular the planets. It has the largest planetarium outside London and the show is very good. You are not looking at the real sky (obviously) but it is like looking at the sky on the clearest possible night. The shows in the planetarium are every 45 minutes.

There are some exhibitions on mans flight to the moon and of the planets in our solar system. There are a couple of model figures of Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton to explain some of the physics in the exhibition. I am not a fan of these things as they always look pretty naff to me. Anyway the physics bit is OK but could be made a bit more interesting. To be honest I’ve seen better science exhibits than this at places like the Manchester Science museum in Castlefield.

Its not all science inside and as Jodrell Bank is set in a lovely wooded area you can visit its own Environment Centre. Here you can learn about the interaction of science and nature as well just stroll around the grounds and have a picnic.

Jodrell Bank has a café with the usual snacks and sandwiches. Its OK but has the feel of a garden centre.

Jodrell Bank is situated on the A535 off Junction 18 of the M6. Admission costs £4.60 for adults and £2.30 for children, for senior citizens it costs £3.30.

As the tour of the science bit including the planetarium takes 2 to 3 hours plus your visit to the gardens its not bad value. It would appeal to those with young children more particularly if they have an interest in science, fact or fiction.

Summary: