Science and Industry Museum

Manchester's Science and Industry Museum tells the story of the city that helped birth the Industrial Revolution, and does it on a genuinely historic site: the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station, the 1830 terminus of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. Across grand old buildings and galleries you'll find thundering working steam engines and mill machinery, exhibits on Manchester's textile and computing heritage (this is where the first stored-program computer ran), and plenty of hands-on science for families.

It's free to enter, well suited to all ages, and a fascinating window into how Manchester powered a global transformation. Live demonstrations of the working machinery, especially the steam engines and the mill, are the highlights, so check the daily schedule when you arrive.

Don't miss

• The 1830 Liverpool Road Station, world's oldest passenger railway terminus
• Working steam engines and mill machinery demonstrations
• Exhibits on textiles and Manchester's computing firsts
• Hands-on science galleries for families
• Free entry

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Science and Industry Museum

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How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• Entry is free, check the daily timetable for the working steam-engine and mill demonstrations.
• Parts of the site have been under restoration; verify what's open before visiting.
• It's very family-friendly, with hands-on galleries for kids.
• It's near Castlefield's canals, a pleasant area to combine with your visit.

A bit of history

The museum occupies the site of the 1830 Liverpool Road Station, the world's oldest surviving passenger railway terminus and end of the first inter-city passenger railway. It celebrates Manchester's role in the Industrial Revolution, textiles, science, and early computing.