Jodrell Bank

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Jodrell Bank Radio Observatory. UNESCO World Heritage site. Home of the Lovell Telescope. An inspiring day out!

✨ A cosmic Christmas awaits at Jodrell Bank! 🎄This festive season, step into a winter wonderland with an astronomical tw...
14/10/2026

✨ A cosmic Christmas awaits at Jodrell Bank! 🎄

This festive season, step into a winter wonderland with an astronomical twist...

🎅 Fly through the Christmas Eve sky in What Santa Sees
🪨 Discover puppetry, music and ancient magic with Goofus Theatre's Stars and Stones
🎶 Experience the enchanting sounds of Celtic Christmas Strings inside the Space Dome

Plus, enjoy frosty winter walks, festive treats, Telescope Talks, exhibitions and a Gift Shop packed with cosmic Christmas goodies. 🌟

Festive fun runs from 14 November to 30 December 2026.

🎟️ Booking is now open: www.jodrellbank.net/events/festive-fun-at-jodrell-bank/

📸 In September, we put out a call asking people to share their photographs of Jodrell Bank. One response led to an extra...
12/10/2026

📸 In September, we put out a call asking people to share their photographs of Jodrell Bank. One response led to an extraordinary discovery: a treasure trove of images taken by William "Bill" Young during his time at the Observatory between 1958 and 1961.

Shared by his son Wayne, these remarkable photographs offer a fascinating glimpse into Jodrell Bank's early days and its role in the pioneering years of space exploration.

Read Wayne's story and explore the full collection of historic images: https://ow.ly/4Pus50ZWLK3 🔭✨

Credit: William/Wayne Young

🛰️ On this day 69 years ago, Jodrell Bank made history by becoming the first facility in the West to successfully detect...
11/10/2026

🛰️ On this day 69 years ago, Jodrell Bank made history by becoming the first facility in the West to successfully detect signals from the rocket that launched Sputnik 1.

📡 Improvising with remarkable ingenuity, Bernard Lovell's team adapted the telescope with radar equipment capable of tracking the rocket. Their breakthrough came on 11 October 1957, when they picked up its distinctive signals as it passed over northern England.

🌟 The achievement was celebrated as a major triumph for British science and helped transform public perception of Jodrell Bank at a time when the project was facing criticism over delays and rising costs. The success even earned Lovell a telegram of thanks from the Soviet Union.

🚀 Today, visitors can see models of both Sputnik and its launch rocket in our award-winning First Light Pavilion. Why not discover this remarkable story for yourself this October half term? ✨

A rainy day at Jodrell Bank has its perks ☔✨When the puddles line up just right, the Lovell Telescope puts on a whole ne...
10/10/2026

A rainy day at Jodrell Bank has its perks ☔✨

When the puddles line up just right, the Lovell Telescope puts on a whole new show. Which reflection is your favourite? 👇

📸 Image credit: Jon Dixon

✨ Jodrell is hiring!Do you have a talent for building relationships, spotting opportunities and creating unforgettable e...
08/10/2026

✨ Jodrell is hiring!

Do you have a talent for building relationships, spotting opportunities and creating unforgettable events?

We're looking for a Business Development Manager to lead venue hire, weddings, corporate events, filming opportunities and more at Jodrell Bank.

Help shape our commercial future while showcasing one of the UK's most extraordinary destinations.

Find out more and apply 🚀 www.jodrellbank.net/about/opportunities/

Please note Jodrell Bank is rurally located, so access to private transport is essential.

🌌 They're back!Following a sell-out performance in September, UNE return to Jodrell Bank on 12 November for another unfo...
07/10/2026

🌌 They're back!

Following a sell-out performance in September, UNE return to Jodrell Bank on 12 November for another unforgettable night inside the Space Dome.

Experience Dark Side of the UNE performed live with stunning full-dome visuals, an exclusive in-conversation with Mark Radcliffe and Prof Tim O'Brien, and an immersive journey through the cosmos.

Only 100 tickets available. Book now before they disappear into the dark side. ✨

www.jodrellbank.net/events/journey-to-the-dark-side-of-the-une/

🎃 Something spooky is hiding in space! Cosmic critters, scary stars and eerie nebulae...Join us this October half term f...
06/10/2026

🎃 Something spooky is hiding in space! Cosmic critters, scary stars and eerie nebulae...

Join us this October half term for a Spooky Space Trail! Little ones (and grown-ups too!) can search for the 10 stops and find the curious space names to fill in their sheet.

If you're brave enough and complete the trail, you can collect your certificate and sticker reward from the Gift Shop. ✨

👻 Mark your calendars for Halloween! On Saturday 31st October, we're inviting you to don your best costumes and celebrate in style. Get a head start on your trick-or-treating because anyone who completes the trail can also collect a treat from the Gift Shop!

🚀 The trail is free as part of your general admission ticket. Running 24 October - 1 November 2026. Halloween treats on 31 October only. 🍬

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

🚀 begins today!Marking the anniversary of Sputnik 1's launch on 4 October 1957 and the start of the Space Age. That mo...
04/10/2026

🚀 begins today!

Marking the anniversary of Sputnik 1's launch on 4 October 1957 and the start of the Space Age. That moment is woven into Jodrell Bank's story. The Lovell Telescope played a key role in tracking Sputnik, helping establish the Observatory's place at the forefront of space science.

This year's theme, Rocket Revolution, celebrates how access to space continues to evolve. From tracking humanity's earliest ventures beyond Earth to exploring the future of sustainable satellites through our exhibitions and collaborations with The University of Manchester researchers, Jodrell Bank remains connected to the past, present and future of space exploration.

Want to learn more about Sputnik and Jodrell Bank's role in the dawn of the Space Age? Discover the story in our Story of Jodrell Bank exhibition inside the First Light Pavilion. 🌍✨

Have you visited the exhibition yet?

Capture the cosmos at Jodrell Bank this Astro Season ✨🔭🌃 Join astronomer and astrophotographer Dr Anthony Holloway for a...
02/10/2026

Capture the cosmos at Jodrell Bank this Astro Season ✨

🔭🌃 Join astronomer and astrophotographer Dr Anthony Holloway for an introductory lecture and practical session on photographing the night sky, with the Lovell Telescope as your backdrop. Bring a DSLR or Compact System Camera with manual controls and a tripod (no previous experience needed)

Dates: 11 November 2026, 13 January 2027, 3 February 2027 and 13 March 2027.

Calling all Brownies, Cubs, Guides, and Scouts… We also have dedicated Astro Nights for Uniformed Groups.

Visit our website to find out more and book: www.jodrellbank.net/events/astro-season-2025-26/

📸 Anthony Holloway

Address

Jodrell Bank
Macclesfield
SK119DW

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441477571766

Website

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