Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum


Widnes

Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm

About this Museum


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.

Pin

Address

Gossage Building
Mersey Road
Widnes
WA8 0DF

Prices

Prices

Adults: £9.95
Children and concessions: £7.95
Family ticket 4 people (2+2 or 1+3) £27.95
Family ticket 5 people (2+3) £29.95
Children 3 and under admitted free
One to One Carer admitted free

Pay general admission once and receive an annual pass so you can return as many times as you like over the next 12 months!

Contact

Contact

0151 420 1121

Visit info

Length of visit

2-3 hours

Activities

Exhibitions are child friendly and interactive, with three interactive galleries.

Weekends and school holidays feature family-friendly science workshops and shows.

Spectacular views across the North West and Wales from the rooftop Observatory, reached by a scenic glass lift.

Adult groups such as U3A or Probus Groups can book to visit with a guided tour and an illustrated historical talk. Appointments can also be made to view items in the archive collection. The full collection list can be found on the Catalyst website.

Schools or uniformed groups can book a night at the museum sleepover experience

Facilities

Conference and meeting facilities, lecture rooms
Café and gift shop
Outside play area
Courtyard with picnic benches
Changing places facility

Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the building
We ask that photos of visitors are not taken unless written permission has been granted from an accompanying adult.

Access

Wheelchair accessible throughout. Level access to all areas and a lift to all floors.
Changing places facility.

Getting there
By car:

Follow signs from M62 junction 7 / M56 junction 12
Parking is free

By train:

Nearest station is Runcorn

Nearest Venues