Thinktank

Thinktank is a science museum in Millennium Point featuring four floors filled with interactive exhibits and artifact collections arranged by theme. The displays connect past and present technologies in sequence, helping visitors understand how technology has evolved over time.

The museum opened in 2001 as part of the Millennium Point development, replacing an earlier science museum at that location. Its creation marked a turning point in Birmingham's effort to preserve its industrial past while building a modern learning center.

The exhibitions show how Birmingham developed through its factories and manufacturing traditions, with displays reflecting how people here once built machines, vehicles, and metal goods. Visitors can see how this industrial past shaped the city's identity and way of life.

The museum opens several days per week, with extended hours during local school holidays. Visitors should allow plenty of time since the interactive exhibits encourage exploration and experimentation, making a full visit last several hours.

Visitors can see the Smethwick Engine, a historic steam engine from the late 1700s that is put into operation during scheduled demonstrations. This machine is a rare example of early engineering that still works today.

Location: Birmingham

Inception: 2001

Part of: Birmingham Museums Trust

Address: Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Birmingham B4 7XG

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Phone: +441213488000

Email: hello@birminghammuseums.org.uk

Website: https://birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank

GPS coordinates: 52.48290,-1.88606

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:23