Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

Key Facts

This huge 7-acre museum site houses displays on science and technology, road transport, railways etc. The Air and Space Hall houses a wide range of exhibits, including a Trident cockpit and a Morphis simulator. The space gallery includes interactive displays. The contribution made to aviation development in the local area by the Avro Company, through its factories at Woodford and Chadderton, is well presented. Elsewhere can be seen working steam engines, a variety of locomotives and rolling stock and much more.

A major renovation programme announced in November 2007, called Revolution MOSI, will see the museum buildings completely refurbished to 21st Century standards, with much improved lighting and display space, allowing room for more exhibits and better presentation of information. The actual work will begin in 2009 and should be completed in 2012.

Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester. Close to the end of the A57 in central Manchester. Well signposted. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Daily 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, including Bank Holidays, but excluding December 24-26 and January 1.

The Main Museum, including the Air and Space Hall, is Free. There is a charge for Special exhibitions.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Cafe, Coffee Shop, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled to 98% of the museum.

Avro 707A WZ736 (photo, Matt Durrant)	Avro Avian G-EBZM (photo, Matt Durrant)

# under construction.
** in store for later display.
% The Cody Kite is not a replica, it is an original covering on a reproduction frame.

Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Greater Manchester, M3 4FP. Tel: 0161 832 2244, Fax: 0161 606 0186, e-mail: n.forder@msim.org.uk, website: The Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester.

Belvedere HC.1 XG454 (photo, Matt Durrant)	Dragon Rapide G-ADAH (photo, Matt Durrant)
P.1A WG763 (photo, Matt Durrant)	Shackleton AEW.1 WR960 (photo, Matt Durrant)
Spitfire XIV MT847 (photo, Matt Durrant)	Sycamore HR.14 XR824 (photo, Matt Durrant)

Manchester Airport Aviation Viewing Park

Key Facts

The purpose-built Viewing Park has a Visitor Centre and a growing collection of aircraft exhibits. Particularly useful here are the three raised viewing platforms, which offer good views of the active runways and taxying aircraft. Note that Concorde is now displayed in a dedicated glass-fronted hangar, and guided tours can be booked for an additional fee.

From Junction 6 on the M56, take the A538 towards Wilmslow. After about half a mile appears ‘The Romper’ public house on the left. Turn left here down Sunbank Lane, then right onto Wilmslow Old Road at the bottom, and follow the road to the gate entrance. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open daily 08.30 am to dusk; Closed 25 December (Christmas Day).

See official website for details. Tours of Concorde are charged in addition to the entry fee to the Aviation Viewing Park. If you are interested in a tour please phone the Airport Tour Centre on 0161 489 3932 as tour places are limited.

Amenities:

Parking, Cafe, Toilets, Souvenir shop, Picnic area, Access for disabled visitors.

Vampire T.11 XD624 (photo, Phillip Evans)	Avro RJX-100 G-IRJX (photo, Phillip Evans)

Notes: Vampire T.11 XD624 is now with the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

Manchester Airport Aviation Viewing Park, Wilmslow Old Road, Manchester Airport Ringway, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M90 1QX. Tel: 0161 904 9460. website: Official Viewing Park Website. More detailed information is available on the unofficial website RingwayReports.

Concorde G-BOAC (photo, Phillip Evans)	Concorde front view (photo, Phillip Evans)
DC-10-30 nose (photo, Phillip Evans)	Display board (photo, Phillip Evans)

Barton Aerodrome Visitor Centre

Key Facts

Built in 1928, Barton Aerodrome was Britain’s first municipal airport. It remains a largely unspoilt example of the airfields of the 1930s. A small museum section at the front of the Visitor Centre features many interesting documents and displays which tell the history of the original Manchester Airport. The Bomber Command Association also has a display here. The Centre gives good views of movements on the active airfield. Visitors can also go onto the first landing of the Control Tower to view the aerodrome and watch various aircraft land and take off. (Please take note of the warning signs). Fun flights are on offer for a person to either fly in a helicopter or a Tiger Moth (K6847). Next to the Centre is the Police helicopter section.

Tours of the airfield and hangars can be arranged by contacting bvc@lancsaeroclub.co.uk or writing to The Visitor Centre Manager, Lancashire Aero Club, Barton Aerodrome, Eccles, Manchester. M30 7SA. (See website below for more details).

Barton Aerodrome is located close to the A57, south of the M62/M63 junction at Eccles, in western Greater Manchester.
See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Saturdays and Sundays 11.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Admission is free.

Amenities:

A small souvenir and coffee shop are at the front of the Centre, overlooking the airfield.

Barton Control Tower (photo, Phillip Evans)	Inside the Visitor Centre (photo, Phillip Evans)
Items on display (photo, Phillip Evans)	Wartime memorabilia (photo, Phillip Evans)

Barton Aviation Heritage Society, Barton Aerodrome, Eccles, Manchester, M30 7SA. Website: www.bartonheritage.co.uk.

The Cyril Barton display (photo, Phillip Evans)	RAF memorabilia (photo, Phillip Evans)