by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:6th June 2023
It’s out of this world
The magnificent observatory at Jodrell Bank in the heart of Cheshire is a sight to behold, and the towering Lovell Telescope is just mind-blowing.
Aren’t we all a little curious about the Universe beyond ours?
As you approach Jodrell Bank, the colossal pivoting dish looms larger and more prominent across the sky. It looks astounding sitting so brazen in the Cheshire countryside. You may feel that this lofty web of white steel seems out of place, yet the wildlife doesn’t mind, and I love it; it’s breath-taking.
Therefore, it isn’t surprising that Jodrell Bank Observatory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it is undoubtedly worthy of its accreditation as one of the world’s leading radio astronomy observatories.
Why not Pin it for later?
Visiting Jodrell Bank makes a perfect day out for all ages; it’s fascinating, you just want to learn more and more, and I’m sure, like me, you’ll be scouring their website when you return home.
So, let’s switch our mobile phone to ‘Airplane Mode’ and discover more about Jodrell Bank Observatory and why it’s out of this world.
Where is Jodrell Bank?
How to get to How to get to Jodrell Bank
The position of Jodrell Bank Observatory is naturally in a rural location due to requiring low light pollution. Therefore, driving to the observatory is the easiest mode of transport.
Jodrell Bank postcode is SK11 9DW or you can find it by using What3words ///loudness.scooter.desiring
- By Car
The closest motorway to Jodrell Bank is the M6 jct. 18. The observatory can be found just off the A535 between Chelford and Holmes Chapel. There is a car parking charge of £4.
- By Train
The largest rail station nearby is Macclesfield around a 20-minute taxi journey to Jodrell Bank.
A brief history of Jodrell Bank
The revolutionary Bernard LovellToday Jodrell Bank Observatory is owned and managed by the University of Manchester; however, the story of this British icon began over 75 years ago and was the brainchild of Bernard Lovell.
Bernard Lovell was a physicist at The University of Manchester. His knowledge of radar used during the Second World War sparked his curiosity about the galaxies beyond our own.
Learning from experience
Although Bernard was on the lookout for cosmic rays, his radio experiments discovered meteors in the remote Cheshire countryside one December evening in 1945. Radio astronomy has never looked back ever since.
Lovell and a team of scientists set up an experimental station using radio astronomy to study the radio waves from space and to discover the mysteries of our Universe. The scientists and technicians constructed their own equipment mainly from army surplus supplies.
Bernard Lovell
Lovell’s dream
Within two years, Lovell and his team had progressed from a searchlight aerial to the ‘Transit Telescope’, which had a wire mesh dish of 218 feet in diameter. They detected radio waves from the Andromeda Galaxy, some 2.5 million light years away from Earth. The world was becoming their oyster.
Lovell couldn’t rest on his laurels, and Jodrell Bank needed a larger radio telescope and one that could rotate through its axis and be fully steerable.
Visiting Jodrell Bank
Opening times are Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, last admission 3:30pm and ensure your mobile phone is set to ‘airplane mode’ or switched off.
2023 Ticket Prices
Adult £12
Concession £10
Child £8
Under 4 Free
Family packages available
Car parking £4
If you book in advance online, you’re able to visit again free of charge for the rest of the year!
Keep a look out for the Space Dome shows held in the First Light Pavilion; some shows require an additional charge.
Jodrell Bank ignites the Space Race
An incredible feat of engineeringConstruction of Lovell’s new telescope began in 1952; its diameter was 250 feet (76m). By 1957 the telescope had run massively over budget, and its finishing line seemed a long way off. However, in October 1957, Lovell’s fortune changed when Russia launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite.
Interactive command centre
Lovell’s near-complete’ Mark 1’ telescope was the only scientific instrument in the world capable of tracking the rocket that had propelled Sputnik. This was ground-breaking for Bernard, and within a matter of weeks, the enormous telescope was fully operational; it was to be known as the Lovell Telescope and was the largest radio telescope on Earth.
How the telescope began
Tracking Sputnik 1
Lovell’s pioneering telescope sparked the start of the Space Race and, for the next decade, tracked the space missions launched by Russia and the USA.
In 1966 Jodrell Bank received back the first images of the surface of the Moon and, in 1969, tracked the Apollo 11 mission on which man first landed on the Moon.
Jodrell Bank Observatory has remained at the forefront of modern astrophysics and given us a magical insight into the Universe beyond. The Lovell Telescope is now the third largest telescope of its kind in the world and was granted the status of Grade 1 Listed Building.
Lovell Telescope, a Grade 1 Listed Building
The Lovell Telescope doesn’t stand alone at Jodrell Bank; there are three others, the Mark II, which was built in 1964, the’ 42ft’ and the ‘7m’ telescope. The observatory is also home to the e-MERLIN network, an array of radio telescopes dotted across England.
Exploring the First Light Pavilion
Entering the Space DomeAs you enter the magical world of Jodrell Bank, meander along the pathway to the captivating and contemporary First Light Pavilion.
The First Light Pavilion is an incredible new edition to Jodrell Bank Observatory. It is the centrepiece of the £21.5m development supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The 76-metre grass-topped dome mirrored the shape and size of the Lovell Telescope and was opened on the Summer Solstice on 21st June 2022.
First Light Pavilion
Inside the pavilion is a magnificent state-of-the-art exhibition which follows the life and achievements of Bernard Lovell and Jodrell Bank Observatory. You’ll also find a 130-seat auditorium and the delightful First Light Café.
Aligning with the Sun
As you step through into the entrance of the pavilion, a narrow vertical window has been cut through the dome, which aligns with the Sun via a Meridian line. Facing due south, the Sun shines through the slim window and casts a ray of light across the foyer, acting as a sundial.
If you're intrigued to visit the beautiful county of Cheshire and the historic city of Chester, then why not check out Bradt’s travel guide. Full of helpful advice, interesting facts and time-saving tips.
You can pick it up for your Kindle or in good old paperback.
The interactive First Light Exhibition
Touching the skin of the Lovell TelescopeThe First Light Exhibition within the pavilion dome was a highlight of our visit to Jodrell Bank; it was so informative. The displays are so thoughtfully designed, innovative and incredibly educational.
Exhibition displays
What I loved about the exhibition by the designers Casson Mann was that it was engaging for all visitors, young and old. Many of the exhibits were interactive, making you question your reaction or response.
First Light Exhibition
The Jodrell Bank story is brought to life through archive material, captivating tales and the tenacity and foresight of Bernard Lovell.
The exhibition shares personal photographs and diaries, plans of Lovell’s work and some mesmerising audio films. This historic trail through the life of Jodrell Bank is not to be rushed.
Recycled metal display panels
A thoughtful and personal touch to the exhibition is the large metal display panels in a circular swathe around the pavilion interior. The metal sections were fashioned from the skin of the 1957 Lovell Telescope. The telescope dish was being replaced, and it was a unique opportunity to recycle the historical material.
The skin of the 1957 Lovell Telescope
As you stroll around the exhibition, you can feel sections of the metal dish, which changed our vision of the Universe, the Sun, and the Moon forever.
Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to Visit Cheshire, the local tourist website provides some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around the county.
Let’s rocket to the Space Dome
An immersive visual experienceThe next stop is the Space Dome, where you’ll catch all of Jodrell Bank’s Astronomical film shows.
Your ticket includes a 15-minute film on ‘The Story of Jodrell Bank’, and I urge you to watch it. The custom-built auditorium has a vast, curved projection screen that is able to seat 130 keen stargazers. Head towards the back of the amphitheatre to truly appreciate the audio-visual experience displayed high above
The Space Dome
Various shows held in the Dome throughout the day incur a small charge. However, they are extremely absorbing, and one of Jodrell Bank’s team explains the planetarium shows in detail.
We attended the 45-minute show of the ‘Journey Through the Night Sky’, and it was captivating.
Where to stay in nearby Chester
Why not extend your visit to Cheshire and stay in the beautiful city of Chester? We can highly recommend the Hotel Indigo Chester.
Hotel Indigo Chester
Hotel Indigo Chester is a modern, contemporary boutique hotel that has welcomed guests since 2019.
Hotel Indigo Chester is situated just a short hop outside Chester’s city walls; within only an 8-minute stroll, you’ll be admiring the iconic Eastgate Clock. Or 5 minutes south, you’ll wander through Grosvenor Park down to the River Dee and The Groves.
Onsite parking is unavailable; however, Hotel Indigo Chester has exclusive discounts with the nearby NCP car park on Pepper Street.
Exploring Jodrell Bank pavilions
Grab a live reading from the Lovell TelescopeThere is so much to discover at Jodrell Bank; it’s easy to spend a day here, grab yourself a packed lunch and enjoy the picnic areas, or sit back and relax within the First Light café terrace.
The Lovell Telescope and Whispering Dishes
Take a stroll around Jodrell Bank Arboretum and wander along Exhibition Pathway, which leads onto the Lovell Telescope, Whispering Dishes and three more pavilions. The Star Pavilion, where you find the Wolfson Auditorium; the Planet Pavilion, where you’ll discover the Clockwork Orrery of our Solar System and the gift shop.
The final interactive display is held within the Space Pavilion, which has a fun Space Exhibition where you can really play with science.
Inside the Space Pavilion
You can listen to the sounds of the big bang and, like me print your own live reading from the Lovell Telescope. It’ll display its exact target coordinates, the latest live radio signal, and the position the telescope is pointing; who knew?
Have fun fellow stargazers and enjoy a captivating day at Jodrell Bank.
Our video of Jodrell Bank
We have created a little YouTube video of our visit to Jobrell Bank Observatory. Why not take a look?
Also, why not subscribe to our YouTube channel and get the latest clips as we post them?
Disclaimer
This article was produced in partnership with Visit Chester & Jodrell Bank in exchange for an honest review and an account of our personal experiences.
* This post may contain links to affiliated sites where we earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
