The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford

The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford holds a special place in my heart. It cemented my passion for the arts from an early age and having the chance to experience being a newsreader as a child (on an actual TV set) during my visits there, was certainly one of the catalysts which led to a broadcasting and filmmaking career.

Access to museums are gateways to learning, further education and following your dreams.

Now that we live in Harrogate, Bradford is only a 40 minute drive away so visiting with my own family is not only easy but an absolute pleasure. With new exhibitions running all the time and the epic IMAX cinema on site amongst other theatres, there is so much to do and see there, you’ll never get bored.

Watching Superhuman in the IMAX gave us 3D insight into the working body and mind (literally as we travelled into the inner workings of the body thanks to our 3D specs) as well as our collective capacity for resilience, healing and longevity. We really are super humans!

I was moved to tears several times throughout as we unflinchingly followed a multi-protagonist narrative of several people who had beat the odds to not only survive but also thrive despite medical complications, life-changing accidents and disease. You also hear personal stories of scientists, medics, and researchers and what drives them forward in their pursuit to improve their own lives and the lives of others.

Although it was a little too complex for my 3 year old, my sons aged 12, and 15, were captivated, expressing that the film felt like a dynamic biology lesson which fully immersed you into the lives of those forced to push themselves to the brink, mentally and physically.

Florence loved playing video games with her Dad, whilst our minds were blown by the documentary, experiencing a taste of 90s games both my husband and I enjoyed as young adults!

Next up was a visit to the Wonderlab together, a permanent feature at the museum with 20 mind-bending science experiments you can take part in, an immersive, engaging and interactive way to learn as you play.

The most effective way to learn is by having fun and the National Science and Media Museum knows how to make young minds happy.

The permanent gallery Sound and Vision usefully charts the advent of tech from the birth of photography and moving image to the modern day iPhone, enlightening you to the historical and social context to the technological changes and the implications, we’ve witnessed over the years.

From learning how sound and light work with engaging experiments to getting up close to the surface of the sun with YOU: MATTER, a life-affirming exhibition by artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast to mark Bradford’s appointment as the UK City of Culture 2025, to creating your own special effects and more, the museum enables us to understand the world around us and the way it powers the tech we rely, and vice versa, with greater clarity.

You really must visit this summer. There’s a busy schedule of activities on offer where children can learn to make animation, take part in family trails through the exhbitions and even ‘travel’ to outer space.

What an incredibly creative, informative and educational space that undoubtedly impacts visitors, influencing and inspiring future careers and generations to come.

We were gifted press tickets but as always, my words are honest.