UK Museums: Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Manchester
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester is a large museum housed in various buildings some of which formed Liverpool Road Station, the oldest existing train station in the world. The wide-ranging displays emphasize scientific and industrial connections with Manchester.
The museum is home to numerous collections of historical materials, and even though the city has its own transport museum, the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester, several of these collections are transport-related.
History
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) celebrates the history of the world's first industrial city: power, machinery, factories and transport.
Originally called the North Western Museum of Science and Industry when it opened in 1969 in Oddfellows Hall on Grosvenor Street in Chorlton-on-Medlock, the museum grew from a collection from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST).
In 1978 the Greater Manchester County Council (GMCC), now the Greater Manchester Council (GMC), purchased the former Liverpool Road Station from British Rail for the nominal fee of £1. The museum subsequently opened here in 1983 and later expanded to include the whole of the former station.
Changes have been ongoing since with the museum aiming to go carbon neutral in the near future with its green industrial revolution.
Exhibits
Previously housed in the former Lower Campfield Market Hall, the Air & Space collection has a lot of historical aircraft including several Avro aircraft that were built locally.
These include a Shackleton bomber, which will be housed in the nearby Avro Heritage Museum, and other aircraft will now be seen at the Aircraft Collection in Ellesmere Port.
Railway locomotives were also built locally and several have been bought back from around the world to be displayed. Steam locomotives from Pakistan and South Africa form part of these exhibits. The museum also has a working replica of a Stephenson Planet-class loco.
Massive renovations are currently in progress and some of the halls are closed at this time, but there are currently three permanent galleries open.
Coming in through the main entrance you start off in Revolution Manchester that introduces the many innovations and discoveries that originated in the city.
Textiles Gallery looks at the roles played by cotton spinning and the textile industry in Manchester's history up to the present day.
Experiment is the large gallery that aims to give a hands-on, interactive experience to all members of the family with activities across a wide spectrum of fields and interests.
As well as the permanent galleries, temporary exhibitions take place throughout the year. The museum has special events such as workshops, demonstrations, talks, and all kinds of hands-on activities on offer especially during school holidays such as half-term.
The museum has a cafe that serves food and drinks plus a shop with souvenirs and educational toys on sale.
Access - Getting Here
Liverpool Road
Manchester
M3 4FR
Tel: 0330 0580058
www: scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk
Entry is free.
Hours
Open from 10 am to 5 pm, Wednesday to Sundays, and every day during school holidays. Closed 24-26 December and 1 January.
Public Transport
The free city centre buses Route 1 (closest stop: Opera House) and Route 2 (closest peak time stop: Opera House; closest off peak stop: Deansgate, near the junction with Quay Street) are both convenient for MOSI.
Deansgate-Castlefield Station on the Metrolink is a 15 minute walk away.
Deansgate Station is 10 minutes on foot; Manchester Oxford Road Station is 15 minutes, Manchester Victoria Station and Piccadilly Station are both around 25-30 minutes on foot.
Related
Map
Hotels
Manchester's hotels are congregated around Piccadilly Station, Deansgate and Oxford Road. Accommodation options in Manchester are many and varied, from budget backpackers to lap-of-luxury boutique hospitality establishments - and everything in between. The following is a list of recommended accommodation options for a stay in Manchester that you'll remember for its good value, hospitality and convenience.
Standout names for luxury accommodation in Manchester include the Edwardian Midland Hotel and Kimpton Clocktower (formerly The Palace until 2016). The Manchester Hilton is housed in the city's tallest skyscraper the Beetham Tower.
Other recommended places to stay in Manchester include the five star Lowry Hotel, the four star, city center Holiday Inn Manchester, the Holiday Inn Hotel Media City and the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
The Dakota Manchester, with its restrained, stiff-upper-lip exterior, is the ultimate in understated loungy comfort. The sophisticated decor is of subtle wooden and metallic tints and shades, and the rooms and premises are as spacious as an English country home. The artistic good taste of this establishment is matched by the warm professional service. The dining is superb, room service is prompt and attentive, and the hotel is accessible for guests with all needs. Centrally located, next to the Rochdale Canal, a 3-minute walk from Piccadilly train station, and a 10-minute walk to Cotton Field Park. Gets consistently top marks for cleanliness, comfort, and great staff - plus free, reliable Wi-Fi.
The Cow Hollow Hotel in Manchester's Northern Quarter is a fascinatingly decorated boutique hotel that offers superb value for money. The staff here get consistently rave reviews for their impeccable hospitality, and the rooms are some of the best equipped you'll find anywhere, with king-size Hypnos beds, the finest cotton bedding, and smart TVs with complimentary Netflix access. The continental breakfast is as generous and delicious as it is healthy, and morning tea and coffee is delivered to your room. Enjoy the rich, artful decor with its rough-edged suaveness and an altogether luxuriously idiosyncratic vibe that will substantially contribute to your best holiday memories. Cocktail lovers will be delighted with the bar. Just 500 meters from Piccadilly Station.
The Staycity Aparthotels Manchester Piccadilly is clean, comfortable, stylish minimalism in as good a location as you could hope for. And very affordable! This centrally positioned, spic-and-span accommodation offers a clean and quiet apartment stay with kitchen facilities (oven, plates and glasses, etc.), bathroom/toilet, bedroom and kitchen/dining room. Bright and hygienic, with comfortable beds, and good staff service. Located in an area of numerous restaurants, and a short walk from Piccadilly Station. Secure carpark. One of Manchester's best on a budget.
See here for a listing of accommodation in Manchester to suit all budgets.
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