Online advance tickets allow return visits within 12 months

Exhibition to feature huge sections of original dish

Visitors can "tour" stars and planets in new Space Dome 

Jodrell Bank, 17 May 2022: Jodrell Bank's newest attraction, the First Light Pavilion, will open its doors to visitors on Saturday 4 June and tickets are now on sale.

Lorna Harper, Deputy Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, said: “We're delighted to have finally reached this moment. It's yet another major milestone for this project and we're looking forward to the next one, when we can finally welcome visitors in to this beautiful new space”

The First Light Pavilion is part of a £21.5m development supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and has been years in the making. The architecturally stunning building takes the form of a grass-topped dome that cleverly mirrors the shape and scale of the dish of the famous Lovell Telescope.

The connection to the iconic landmark doesn't end there because, inside, a new permanent exhibition will bring visitors into direct contact with huge sections of the authentic metal dish that has "listened" to the skies since 1957. The exhibition will tell the inspirational story of Jodrell Bank's pioneering scientists and engineers. Through a range of innovative digital displays and projections, visitors will be able to see fascinating archive materials brought together for the first time, including audio, film, plans, photos and more. 

Every visitor will also have an immersive audio-visual experience in the Pavilion's Space Dome, a state-of-the-art auditorium complete with giant curved screen. The Space Dome will also host traditional planetarium-style shows where visitors can "tour" the stars and planets guided by one of Jodrell Bank's expert Explainers. 

Lorna adds: “The First Light Pavilion compliments Jodrell Bank's existing offer and massively enhances the overall visitor experience. From 4 June, visitors will be able to engage not just with the mind-blowing science of the site, but also its internationally significant heritage.” 

Tickets are priced at just £12 for adults and £8 for children. There are concession rates for over-65s and students, under-4s go free, and family groups can access great discounted rates. Day tickets are available in person but any ticket purchased in advance online is now an Annual Ticket, meaning visitors can return within 12 months of purchase. There are options to add on extras, too, including planetarium-style shows in the Space Dome. 

Lorna continues: “We've already started to see the bookings come in and we're encouraging everyone to purchase their tickets in advance online to avoid queues and make the most of our new Annual Ticket offer.”

For more information, including images, interviews and press visits, please contact:

Amy Bishop, Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, Amy.Bishop@manchester.ac.uk   

Ben Robinson, The University of Manchester, Ben.Robinson@manchester.ac.uk 

Kate Simon, Traveltappers PR Kate@traveltappers.co.uk 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Jodrell Bank

Founded in 1945, Jodrell Bank's inspirational story includes revolutionary scientific discoveries, amazing feats of engineering, the dawn of the Space Age and the creation of the Grade I-listed Lovell Telescope, an icon for British science and engineering. The site is proudly owned by The University of Manchester and is part of The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, a world-leading science research institute, and The Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, a multi-award-winning centre for excellence in public participation and engagement with science, culture and heritage. Jodrell Bank was inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage Site list in 2019 in recognition of its internationally significance science, heritage and cultural impact. www.jodrellbank.net 

About The University of Manchester

Jodrell Bank is part of The University of Manchester and helps deliver the University's vision to advance education, knowledge and wisdom for the good of society. The University of Manchester, a member of the prestigious Russell Group, is the UK's largest single-site university with 38,600 students. It has 20 academic schools and hundreds of specialist research groups undertaking pioneering, multi-disciplinary teaching and research of worldwide significance.  The University is one of the country's major research institutions, rated fifth in the UK in terms of 'research power' (REF 2014), and has had no fewer than 25 Nobel laureates either work or study there. www.manchester.ac.uk 

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund 

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK's heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised more than £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK. www.heritagefund.org.uk