Catalyst is an interactive science centre and museum devoted to chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in everyday life. Our mission is to inform, educate and inspire the widest audience about the relevance of chemistry, through our unique offerings and hands-on experiences, our rich industrial heritage archives and our strong links to the local area.
Catalyst makes science exciting and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Enjoy panoramic views across Cheshire from the glass-walled rooftop Observatory gallery, the perfect place to enjoy a heritage afternoon tea or for groups to experience one of our night at the museum sleepovers!
Explore a host of interactive exhibits in our ground floor gallery where you can create an animation, make a marble run, present the weather in our TV studio and more! Get to grips with real science and experience our purpose built discovery lab which hosts a range of activities at weekends and during school holidays, that the whole family can enjoy!
Learn about the history of the area in our Birth of an Industry and Baker galleries and discover a small part of our archive collection in the Gossage Room where we also host adult group historical talks. The museum archive holds a wide collection of material from the local chemical industry including Towers, ICI, Brunner Mond and McKechnie.
Also on offer is free car parking, a gift shop, a temporary exhibition area and the Catalyst cafe with views over Spike Island, the riverside and the Mersey Gateway Bridge.
