After living in Manchester for four years, there are still so many places I’ve still to tick of my ‘to-visit’ list. The Science & Industry museum has been the top of that list for so long, I’ve passed it umpteen times, so why it took me all those years to visit is truly beyond me.
I’ve talked at length (and will likely continue to do so) about how often I plan to go somewhere, wander around the outside, and then stress myself out to the point I walk away, it’s so frustrating but a large part of why I chose to create this series, to help others feel seen and validated if they too feel the same. We’re in an age of independent generations so it can feel abnormal if you don’t feel that level of confidence within your independence.
Thankfully I didn’t talk myself out of this visit, after having a start to the week where I had little motivation and felt exhausted, I visited the gym for an early morning session and realised that Thursday was not too late to turn the week around and feel positive, I have a list as long as my arm of things I want to do, so why not spend the day ticking some places off?
Prior to my S&I visit I did tick another place off that had been years in the making but that post is to follow - it essentially set the tone of the day which was what I needed.
I booked a free ticket via their website on the walk to the museum however upon entry it seems you can just speak to the welcoming team on the front desk and they will let you in anyway. The gentleman I spoke to was so helpful and chatty and gave me other must-visit recommendations for Manchester which I promptly noted down in my phone as he spoke.
It’s worth noting that this museum won’t be for everyone, it depends where your interests lie, however this place was right up my street. If you’re looking to go to a museum then I’d check that it’s something you’d be interested in, if it’s not then you’re more likely to feel uncomfortable and out of place which won’t be worth it if you’re not very bothered about it anyway.
On the ground floor you can learn about Manchester’s influence within textiles especially an in-depth view into the cotton industry where the city was pivotal, there is also a portion about the rise of modern day technology such as early computing programs that led to technology as we know it today and the rise of transport in the city.
If you head outside into the Power Hall building next door you’ll see rail transport and historic engines on the site of the where the Liverpool Road railway station stood that was the terminus for the world's first inter-city passenger railway powered entirely by timetabled steam locomotives which opened in 1830.
It’s such an interesting way to spend an afternoon, you don’t have to rely on being with anyone, you don’t have to interact with anyone and you can keep your headphones firmly on your head if you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, that’s what I did.
So go to your local museums, learn about your city, expand your mind and take in loads of info that you can take away and share with others!
What solo activity do you want to see next?
S xo
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