The Madeira Story Centre has a very un inviting entrance, but when you get past this and enter the 2nd floor display you will be presented with information on a Madeira that includes bronze age and Roman references and honest references to the use of slaves to build the infrastructure of this island.This refreshing honesty is usually glossed over or ignored in the other tours and exhibitions that I was part of. Most information starts from and ends with the views of the white European and ignores the Moors and the use of black slaves who died in huge numbers to build this profitable island business. Europeans are at the centre of the story but other peoples are not written out.

This looks very shabby from the outside and first impressions on the inside aren't great either, but don't let this put you off. Up via the lift to the 2nd floor takes you to the exhibition. It could certainly do with some refurbishment but the exhibition is well laid out and tells the story of Madeira at just the right level to get a good introduction to the island and it's history. Text is in 4 languages Portuguese, English, Spanish and German). Going up to the next level takes you to a spacious (and largely empty) cafe with great views. You can also get onto the roof for even better views and to watch the cable cars go past.

The museum was well laid out and had some interesting material but it was so poorly lit that one strains to read the boards with information. I didn’t find it a good experience. It’s seemed quite unnecessary to be so dark and dingy.