Centres in the Midlands

Funding: all funding types

KEY: Millennium-funded

Millennium-funded Brocks Hill Environment Centre and Country Park

Building constructed to demonstrate sustainable construction, being autonomous in energy and water use. Also exhibition hall, cafe, play area and walks in parkland.

Themes: Energy and energy conservation.
Type: Other centre. Variable number of exhibits. Size: S. Opened: 2001.
Open: Mon - Fri 10.00 - 17.00, W/ends and Bank Holidays closes at 16.00 Ages: All ages.

Brocks Hill Visitor Centre and Country Park, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Washbrook Lane, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5JJ MAP
Tel: 0116 257 2888 Fax: 0116 271 7356
E-mail: sheelagh.bishop@oadby-wigston.gov.uk
Web: www.brockshill.co.uk

Millennium-funded Ceramica

Ceramica is an exploration and a celebration of the World-famous pottery industry of Stoke-on-Trent; a chance to learn about its past, discover the present and get a glimpse of its future.

Themes: Pottery.
Type: Other centre. Size: S.
Open: Daily, 9.30 - 17.00. Sundays: 10.00 - 16.30 Ages: All ages

Ceramica, Market Place, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3DS MAP
Tel: 01782 832001 Fax: 01782 823300
E-mail: info@ceramicauk.com
Web: www.ceramicauk.com

Millennium-funded Conkers

A 120-acre attraction in The National Forest. Indoor exhibits and outdoor experiences, assault course and playpark, Artscape sculpture trail, water play area and Forest Garden. Woodland and wetland walks, tree canopy walkway and bird hide.

Themes: National Forest and British wildlife.
Type: Animals / Plants. 100+ exhibits. Size: L. Opened: Apr-01.
Open: Open daily except Christmas Day. 10am to 6pm Summer. 10am to 5pm Winter. Last admission 1 hour before closing. Ages: All ages

National Forest Millennium Discovery Centre, Rawdon Road, Moira, Swadlincote, nr Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Derbyshire, DE12 6GA MAP
Tel: 01283 216633 Fax: 01283 210321
E-mail: info@visitconkers.com
Web: www.visitconkers.com

Green's Mill and Science Centre

Restored working tower windmill once owned and operated by mathematical physicist George Green (1793-1841). Adjacent science centre tells the story of the windmill and of Green's scientific achievements with hands on exhibits e.g. magnetism, light, electricity.

Themes: Maths / environment.
Type: Other centre. 15 exhibits. Exhibition area: 100 m2. Size: S. Opened: 1985.
Open: Open Wed-Sun (and most Bank Holidays) 10am to 4pm Ages: All ages.

Green's Mill and Centre, Nottingham, Windmill Lane, Sneinton, Nottingham, NG2 4QB MAP
Tel: 0115 915 3690 Fax: 0115 915 6875
E-mail: greensmill@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Web: www.greensmill.org.uk

Ironbridge Gorge (Enginuity)

Enginuity's aim is to interpret how design and technology are combined to produce useful things. This is achieved through an exciting combination of interactive exhibits, real objects and design, and making activities.

Themes: Design and technology.
Type: Other centre. 23 exhibits.
Open: Daily 10.00 - 17.00 Ages: All ages.

Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coach Road, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, TF8 7DQ MAP
Tel: 01952 435 900 Fax: 01952 435 999
E-mail: John.challen@ironbridge.org.uk
Web: www.ironbridge.org.uk

Millennium-funded Making It! Discovery Centre

Making it! is based around the process of making things, the history, invention, design, manufacture, testing, packaging, advertising and marketing of the products of British industry, and especially those of Midlands area.

Type: Discovery Centre. Size: M. Opened: Apr-02.
Open: Reduced opening for refurbishment 10.00 - 17.00, (last admission 15.30) 20th -24th Feb. Next opening for general visitors 1oth - 21st April inclusive. Call centre to book educational visits. Ages: All ages.

Making It! Enterprises Ltd, Chadburn House, Weighbridge Road, Mansfield, Notts, NG18 1AH MAP
Tel: 01623 473 297/473200 Fax: 01623 473 201
E-mail: info@makingit.org.uk
Web: www.makingit.org.uk

Millennium-funded National Space Centre

The National Space Centre is dedicated to space science and astronomy. Includes Space Theatre and a Challenger Learning Centre.

Themes: Space science and astronomy.
Type: Science Centre. Size: L. Opened: Jun-01.
Open: Term time: Tue - Sun 10am to 5pm (last entry 3.30pm). Local school holidays: Mon- Sun 10am to 5pm (last entry 3.30pm). Closed 25th-26th Dec and 1st Jan. Ages: All ages.

National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS. MAP
Tel: 0116 261 0261 Fax: 0116 258 2100
E-mail: info@spacecentre.co.uk
Web: www.spacecentre.co.uk

National Stone Centre

Tells the Story of Stone - history, science, technology, art, environment - in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales.

Themes: Extractive industry, earth science.
Type: Other centre. Size: S. Opened: 1990.
Open: Open all year except Christmas. Ages: All ages.

National Stone Centre, Porter Lane, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4LS MAP
Tel: 01629 824833 Fax: 01629 824833
E-mail: nsc@nationalstonecentre.org.uk
Web: www.nationalstonecentre.org.uk

Natural Science Centre

The centre has a planetarium, observatory, alternative energy displays and a large conservation area. The themes and their relationship to each other provide a memorable experience for visitors.

Themes: Space science, weather, alternative energy, ecology, dinosaurs.
Type: Science Centre. Size: S.
Open: Telephone for opening times. Ages: All ages.

Newchapel Observatory, Off High Street, Newchapel, Stoke on Trent, ST4 4PT MAP
Tel: 01782 785 205
E-mail: newchapelobservatory@btinternet.com
Web: www.naturalsciences.co.uk

Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford

An outstanding collection of aircraft and associated memorabilia.

Themes: Aviation.
Type: Museum. Size: M.
Open: 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 16.00). Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Ages: All ages.

RAF Museum, Cosford, Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP MAP
Tel: 01902 376 200 Fax: 01902 376 211
E-mail: cosford@rafmuseum.org
Web: www.rafmuseum.org.uk

The Sandford Mill, Engine House Project

The Engine House Project runs a variety of half day science sessions at Sandford Mill for Key Stage 1 and 2. Sessions include forces, materials, sound, light and electricity. Outreach to schools in winter.

Themes: Forces, materials, sound, light and electricity.
Type: Museum. Size: S.
Open: April to October, primary schools only plus public open days. Ages: 4 - 11 years and families.

Chelmsford Museums Service, Sandford Mill Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6NY MAP
Tel: 01245 475498 Fax: 01245 475498
E-mail: engine.house@chelmsfordbc.gov.uk
Web: www.chelmsfordbc.gov.uk/enginehs

Snibston Discovery Park (Extra Ordinary Gallery)

Snibston is Leicestershire's all-weather science and industry museum, where visitors can get their hands on over 90 interactives indoors and outdoors.

Themes: Biology, Energy, Weather, Light, Forces, Engineering, Mining, Textiles, Outdoor science playground and water play area
Type: Science Centre. 70+ exhibits. Size: M. Opened: 1992.
Open: Daily: 10.00 -17.00. Opening times change mid-October - please check times before visiting. Ages: All ages.

Snibston Discovery Park, Ashby Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3LN MAP
Tel: 01530 278 444 Fax: 01530 813 301
E-mail: snibston@leics.gov.uk
Web: www.leics.gov.uk/museums/snibston

Millennium-funded Thinktank

Thinktank offers ten galleries of historical artefacts, modern interactives and futuristic facts. Visitors can explore everything from space travel and steam engines to intestines and taste buds. Includes digital planetarium and IMAX cinema.

Themes: Transport, Industrial Revolution, local history, modern medicine, contemporary and future science, space
Type: Science Centre. Approx 2,600 exhibits. Exhibition area: 7,500 m2. Size: L. Opened: Sep-01.
Open: Daily 10.00 - 17.00. (Last entry 16.00) Ages: All ages.

Thinktank, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG MAP
Tel: 0121 202 2222 Fax: 0121 202 2280
E-mail: findout@thinktank.ac
Web: www.thinktank.ac