National Science and Media Museum

The National Science and Media Museum is an eight-storey building with galleries covering photography, television, animation, video games, and cinema technology in Bradford, England. The spaces spread across multiple levels with permanent collections and rotating exhibitions, while the cinema on the ground floor has a separate entrance.

The building opened in 1983 as the national museum for photography, film, and television to showcase the evolution of these media in England. The name changed in 2017 to reflect the expansion of collections with scientific and digital exhibits.

The second floor galleries focus on digital entertainment, including game consoles and visual effects from British film productions. These rooms invite families to experiment with cameras and animation techniques themselves, giving children hands-on insight into media production.

Entry is free and the building opens daily from 10 until 18, allowing visitors to walk through all galleries without time pressure. For cinema screenings it can be helpful to check availability online beforehand, as some films run only on certain days.

The Pictureville cinema holds Europe's only public Cinerama screen, a deeply curved surface that requires three synchronized projectors running at once. This technique from the 1950s creates an immersive viewing experience that offers the viewer a particularly wide field of vision.

Location: Bradford

Inception: 1983

Official opening: 1983

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: No

Part of: Science Museum Group

Address: Pictureville, Bradford BD1 1NQ

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00

Phone: +448448563797

Email: info@sciencemuseumgroup.ac.uk

Website: https://scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.79056,-1.75556

Latest update: December 20, 2025 14:12