Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield: Hours, Address, Jodrell Bank Reviews: 4/5
Jodrell Bank
Jodrell Bank
4
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Science Museums
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About
Jodrell Bank is an awe-inspiring and unique site of live scientific research and internationally significant heritage. We welcome thousands of visitors every year to discover the fascinating science and stories of this special place.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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Popular mentions
4.0
1,403 reviews
Excellent
494
Very good
462
Average
228
Poor
124
Terrible
95
Mat L
World1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Family
Fascinating structure. A good way to spend a few hours. Presentations were engaging & well presented.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tim A
32 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
If you’re remotely interested in the (real) stars out there, you need to visit JB! Visited on a balmy Friday (good weather really helps with the experience) on a surprisingly quiet Friday. JB may not be the no1 exhibition of this kind (maybe that title falls to Griffith’s Observatory in LA), but I’ll tell you what, whilst the scale at JB is a bit smaller, the content, the way it’s delivered, the Planetarium, the history and the fact that it is STILL a working research centre puts it right up there as a ‘must’ visit nd a very, very close second place! Science can be very boring for younger kids but the Planetarium and interactive displays seemed to appeal to most kids that I saw. For the older ‘kids’, the history, the presentation of information (which is as expected- mind- boggling), the exhibits/ artefacts, the grounds and of course the mighty radio- telescope that is Jodrell Bank made the whole visit rate as excellent. A little bit of icing the cake was that I was all done by shop staff, scientists, presenters and guides without any political lecturing or banner- waving. Just a group of ordinary people working together doing the best job they were able for JB and science. That in itself is refreshing today and takes my review from 4.5 to 5 stars! Well worth the admission fee.
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paul Crummy
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Friends
Yes right from the start meet and greet staff ,Alex in particular made us very welcome , Information was very good and knowledge of all staff brilliant
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD8,099 contributions
May 2022
We stopped here on our trip from New Lanark to the MAN Airport parking in their lot and finding the 4 GBP fee temporarily suspended. After paying $19 for 2 seniors, we used the cafe/gift shop clean restrooms then walked to the huge 250’ diameter Lovell Telescope. In the Discovery Center museum, we saw the Live Data Screen, learned about Pulsars, read about the expansiveness of space and took our infa-red signature picture. Wonderful 2 hour visit to a scientific 2019 UNESCO site.
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Glenn & Kirstie
5 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Undergoing a refresh, so not all open at the moment . But if you are visiting the area I would thoroughly recommend.
The Lovell telescope is amazing.
The talk is great, for kids up to old kids, thank you Sam.
The Lovell telescope is amazing.
The talk is great, for kids up to old kids, thank you Sam.
Written 27 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Alan Shorter
Market Deeping, UK1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Business
Thank you so much for opening for our group visit yesterday, it was the highlight of the week for all of us. The astronomers photo competition exhibit is very good, and the new planetarium is fantastic we really enjoyed our journey through space. The staff were attentive, friendly, knowledgable and passionate which only made the visit more enjoyable, we felt like VIP's having the place to ourselves.
Alan Shorter
(Driver for Shaws Coaches)
Alan Shorter
(Driver for Shaws Coaches)
Written 21 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
923Dan
Swindon, UK2,880 contributions
Mar 2022
Driving up to Manchester Airport, paid a flying visit to Jodrell Bank, to admire the giant telescope, which towers over the local farm houses.
Impressive given that its now 70 years old and still working!
Recommended!
Impressive given that its now 70 years old and still working!
Recommended!
Written 30 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
27091968
5 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Great exhibitions geared at explaining difficult concepts simply to children (and adults!). The Lovell Telescope is an impressive a sight. Some of the area is closed off until June 2022 for maintenance, including the playground, hence only 4 stars from me. Staff friendly and knowledgeable.
Also check out the associated arboretum about 10 minutes drive away. We loved that spot, very peaceful and pretty.
Also check out the associated arboretum about 10 minutes drive away. We loved that spot, very peaceful and pretty.
Written 27 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Emily V
Manchester, UK51 contributions
Apr 2021
Such a great place to visit and lots to learn here and see, cannot wait to come and visit again another time.
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Manclady
Manchester16 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
We went to a supposed Autism Day with our grandson. We got there at 9am as instructed. Despite my husband and I clearly needing and using mobility aids we were told that we definitively had to follow the one way system despite there being nobody else there! Our grandson wasn't given anything despite us seeing children who had arrived later being given workbooks to use? Despite the size of the place we had to shorten our walk as we just can't walk any reasonable distance. We went to the shop and cafe to get out of the cold an, hopefully, sit for a while. We parted with 12.45 for 3 drinks, a cookie and a tiny piece of cake. We tried to leave through the shop where we were told it was a one way system and we should go out to the car park again
I protested and we were eventually allowed out via a fire door. We managed to get to the talk - we were told that the first talk had been scheduled for 10 not 11for autistic children. I have to say that we and our grandson did enjoy the talk and Ted chimed in enthusiastically (if wrongly). Talk over we went outside to look at the telescope and play with the whispering dishes. We went to the interactive space hall to find it busy and noisy - which meant our grandson had a meltdown.
Has we bern allowed some leeway to accommodate our obvious difficulties and our Grandson's autism and not made to walk a one way path when there was nobody else there it might have been a much different story. For the life of me I still don't understand why we were given a 9am arrival time and why our grandson wasn't given the same workbook all other children were given.
I protested and we were eventually allowed out via a fire door. We managed to get to the talk - we were told that the first talk had been scheduled for 10 not 11for autistic children. I have to say that we and our grandson did enjoy the talk and Ted chimed in enthusiastically (if wrongly). Talk over we went outside to look at the telescope and play with the whispering dishes. We went to the interactive space hall to find it busy and noisy - which meant our grandson had a meltdown.
Has we bern allowed some leeway to accommodate our obvious difficulties and our Grandson's autism and not made to walk a one way path when there was nobody else there it might have been a much different story. For the life of me I still don't understand why we were given a 9am arrival time and why our grandson wasn't given the same workbook all other children were given.
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Florence178
Helsby, UK37 contributions
Is this suitable for a trip out for a 3/4year old?
DazDon
Blackburn, UK14 contributions
I would say not. I think they would be bored very quickly.
Have you ever been again, after the fantastic rebirth at the centre? Maybe you should balance your review with an update?
Linda L
8 contributions
Yes only a month ago and it's just what I found I respect that other people have different opinions to me.
Davylad
Cheshire, UK23 contributions
I pass quite often and know that the telescope had been parked for at least 3 months. I would like to visit when it's moving/working. Can't find any info as to when this maintenance will finish. All info online refers to work in 2018. Does anyone know?
hopalong6845
cambridgeshire158 contributions
When we visited a couple of weeks ago they said maintenance work was still ongoing and they thought it would be finished by the late autumn
Ella A
Manchester, UK3 contributions
Can you watch the stars through the telescope?
Jodrell Bank is a radio observatory so there are no optical telescopes here. We do however hold regular Stargazing Nights through the winter months, where you can learn about the stars in the night sky and look through telescopes and binoculars. Event dates and times are listed on our website
Peter T
Warrington, UK1 contribution
Do you pay to enter
Yes, admission charges are listed on our website
T2129WWdavid
Dallas, TX
Who was the first director?
Tom C
Knutsford, UK245 contributions
Sir Bernard Lovell for sure
Claire O
Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom2 contributions
What else is there to do in the area to make it a full day out?
lisagriffwood
Bolton, UK130 contributions
Not much but if you pick a day when the weather is good you can take a long walk around the grounds.
Are there many interactive displays for children (5 year old)
SiLyn
Yorkshire Dales National Park, UK84 contributions
Yes but not many and not very good
joan w
Manchester, UK13 contributions
Is this a full day's activity or can it be visited in half a day?
GHBoxer
United Kingdom28 contributions
It really depends on how much time you spend at each activity point and how much science you can or want to take in. You would need a full half day if you were to visit and tryout all activities. Some of the science is 'complicated' and it will depend on the degree of commitment. You will get a good flavour of the site in 2 hours and perhaps then decide to go back for a more in depth visit.
Is this a good indoor activity? Thinking of the wet bank holiday weather.
Yes, its great for rainy days. There are indoor exhibition and display areas, along with a cafe (with great views of the telescope) and gift shop. There are also sheltered picnic areas in the gardens. There are plenty of talks, events and science shows which also take place indoors. You can view the website for full listings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jodrell Bank
- Jodrell Bank is open:
- Sat - Sun 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near Jodrell Bank:
- (0.46 km) Bridge Farm B&B
- (3.17 km) Welltrough Hall Farm Caravan
- (2.34 km) The Dog Over Peover
- (8.19 km) Moss Farm
- (8.40 km) Wizards Thatch at Alderley Edge
- Restaurants near Jodrell Bank:
- (0.60 km) Planet Pavillion Cafe
- (7.35 km) Tatton Perk
- (6.14 km) The Davenport Arms
- (8.32 km) De Trafford
- (2.18 km) Crown Inn
- Attractions near Jodrell Bank:
- (8.83 km) White Peak Alpaca Farm
- (10.36 km) Andersen Boats
- (12.23 km) Escape Quest
- (10.90 km) Gauntlet Birds of Prey
- (14.88 km) Avro Heritage Museum