UK city set to be big in 2025 reveals £6million revamp of major attraction
A WELL-LOVED tourist attraction is set to reopen in the UK’s City of Culture for 2025 following a £6million renovation project.
Bradford‘s National Science and Media Museum will open to the public on January 8, following an 18-month closure.
The museum closed in June 2023 for a “once-in-a-generation” renovation project.
While the museum will officially reopen next Wednesday (January 8), a grand reopening will take place on Saturday, January 11.
Dubbed A Grand Day Out, the huge reopening is in partnership with Wallace & Gromit creators, Aardman.
Screenings of the duo’s adventures will take place alongside model-making workshops.
Tickets are free to the reopening, but must be booked in advance online.
A temporary David Hockney exhibition will open the following week on January 15.
Other revamped gallery spaces include the Kodak Gallery, where visitors can learn about the history of the photography brand, and the Wonderlab.
Improvements have also been made to the main entrance, while a new passenger lift has also been installed.
The West Yorkshire museum will also have a new foyer space with seating areas, as well as a redesigned gift shop and cafe.
Last year, the museum’s IMAX screen reopened to the public, with screenings of Mufasa: The Lion King taking place.
The museum is free to enter, although visitors are recommended to book tickets in advance online.
The huge £6million renovation was supported by the National Lottery.
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, the director of the National Science and Media Museum, said: “As the year unfolds, we will unveil more exciting improvements to the museum, culminating in the summer with the launch of our spectacular Sound and Vision galleries.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be reopening the museum with the backdrop of an amazing Bradford 2025 programme, making this a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Back in 2022, Bradford was named the UK’s City of Culture of 2025 beating the likes of County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham.
At the time, West Yorkshire’s Mayor, Tracy Brabin, said: “As one of the youngest and most diverse places in the UK, Bradford will benefit so much from this platform to highlight everything it has to offer.”
And Bradford isn’t the only city in the UK set to benefit from a huge multi-million-pound renovation project.
A former industrial site in Stoke-on-Trent is set to get a £60million revamp.
Here are five other places to visit in Bradford
HERE are five over places to visit in Bradford.
- Bradford Industrial Museum
Housed in a former textile mill, this museum provides insights into the city’s industrial past, showcasing machinery, vehicles, and exhibits on textile production. - Saltaire Village
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire is a model village built by Sir Titus Salt for his mill workers. It features the impressive Salts Mill, which now houses art galleries, shops, and cafes. - Lister Park
One of Bradford’s largest parks, it includes the beautiful Mughal Water Gardens, a boating lake, and Cartwright Hall, which contains an art gallery with a diverse collection of works. - Bolling Hall
One of the oldest buildings in Bradford, this historic house museum offers a glimpse into the city’s past with period rooms and exhibitions. - Little Germany
Explore this area known for its stunning 19th-century architecture. It was named after the German merchants who established businesses there.
Meanwhile, this is the smallest town in the UK – and it has a Michelin starred restaurant.
And this UK village has been compared to a 1940s film set.