Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is an interactive science and discovery museum situated within Millennium Point Complex on Curzon Street, Birmingham, England. Spanning over four floors, the museum is a must-visit spot for those with an eye for science. With lots of new things to explore and see, right from a chocolate-wrapping machinery to a skeleton of a Jurassic crocodile, the eccentric museum is intriguing to every visitor. Apart from a number of galleries displaying over 200 hands-on exhibits, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum features a Science Garden and a stunning 4K Planetarium too.
This award-winning museum forms part of Birmingham Museums Trust. The Thinktank Museum not only offers a great learning opportunity on historical artefacts and futuristic inventions, it also provides a fun-packed family time through interactive galleries and play-areas for kids. There's a good range of eating options as well.
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Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum Tickets
Adult (aged 16-64 years): EUR 14.00 Children (aged 3-15 years): EUR 10.25 Children (aged under 3 years): Free Senior (age 65+): EUR 12.00
Planetarium show is not included in Thinktank ticket price. It costs EUR 2.50 .
Online Booking may save some money. The 'Adults & Toddler' ticket offer (3-5 years) costs EUR 15.
The tickets can be booked at www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank .
Entry to the Science Garden is free daily after 3:00 PM. Closing time varies as per the season. The earliest time by which it will close is 4:00 PM during winters.
During term-time, one can visit the museum for EUR 3 per person after 3:00 PM on weekdays.
One can also sign up for membership which provided additional benefits like free entry and guided tour for 1 year in the Thinktank Museum and Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall, Sarehole Mill, Soho House, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Weoley Castle and the Museum Collections Centre.
Attractions
The Thinktank Museum is divided into four floors, each with a different theme.
Level 0 1. The Past The Past is divided into 3 sections - Boulton & Watt, Power Up and Move It giving a deep insight into the works of James Watt, Matthew Boulton, William Murdoch and other members of the Lunar Society at Boulton & Watt. The Move It Gallery houses an amazing collection of vehicles like cars, trains, trams, bikes and planes that were built or in use in Birmingham and around. There's a display of steam engines in Power Up gallery. Here, the highlight is the oldest working steam engine in the world, the Smethwick Engine.
2. Science Garden Science Garden is a fun-packed outdoor area for kids located right in front of the ThinkTank Museum. With over 30 hands-on exhibits, the garden is split into zones like Mechanise, Energise and Mobilize.
1. SpitFire Gallery The SpitFire Gallery is all about the magnificent fighter aircrafts- SpitFire and Hurricane. Birmingham produced around 50% of all the SpitFires during the 2nd World War at Castle Bromwich. Suspended from the ceiling are the SuperMarine Spitfire Mark 1Xc and Hawker Hurricane Mark IV. The gallery lays light on their design, manufacture, history and technology and how they played a significant role in World War II. Other items on display include engine parts, flight suits and a model of a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.
2. We Made It This gallery features over 20 displays and 1200 interactive objects with the aim of highlighting Birmingham's manufacturing industry. The gallery is divided into 4 sections - Nuts & Bolts, Gadgets, Treasure and Gadgets. One can uncover details on gemstones, precious metals, aluminium production, decorative glass and modern devices like cameras.
Level 2
The Present The Present is where one can unravel the creations of the present. It has 5 amazing galleries-
Kid's City Gallery- Designed for children under 7 years of age, the gallery is a great place for children to play and learn in the set up of a mini city. It has a cafe, a street, a water play area and a health centre.
Things About Me Gallery - This bright gallery is meant for children to learn about how the human bodies function. Characters named TAM will guide the children through the tour.
Medicine Matters Gallery- It covers exhibits relating to medical practices, epilepsy, DNA, medicine, surgery, genetics, public health and immunology.
The Street Gallery- This gallery features exhibits relating to working and effects of science in our everyday life.
Wildlife Gallery- This features a collection of taxidermied animals like polar bear, huia and great auk. There's a fossil of a Triceratops skull on display among many others.
Marine World's Gallery: This gallery is home to the amazing 200 million year old 3.5 meters skeleton of the giant prehistoric sea monster- Ichthyosaur. One can also get to know more about walrus, penguins and prehistoric marine crocodiles.
A mouth display at the Things About Me Gallery (Source) Level 3
1. The Future With its exhibits focusing on how science and technology affect our daily lives, the Future Gallery is quite an interesting concept with displays like 'Robo Thespian' and 'Create an Alien'. The 'Talking Point' at the gallery enables you to know about scientists predictions regarding the future.
2. Mini Brum Mini Brum is an exciting mini role play city designed for children under 8 years of age, located on Level 3. It is a great place for children to learn while they play. Mini Brum has different interesting zones- Travel & Transport Zone, Town Centre Zone, Construction Zone, Neighborhood Zone, The Burrow, The Park Zone and the Picnic Area. There's also a special sensory zone for babies as well. Kids can shop at the market, run a saloon, treat patients at the doctor's clinic, slide down a chute and build a car!
3. Planetarium The 4K Planetarium runs movies on astronomy, space, the human body and underwater explorations. The music and light shows with 360° of sound and video are nothing less than magical.
Tips
Located on Level 0, the Coffee Cart offers delicious snacks and beverages. The Ice Cream Kiosk serves different flavours of Beechdean farmhouse dairy ice cream. Located on Level 0 is the Signal Box Cafe serving a delicious range of meals from cheeseburgers to cakes. Do try its signature Signal Box Burger.
Gifts and souvenirs can be bought from the museum shop located on Level 2. It is open daily from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
How To Reach Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
Use postcode B4 7AP for Google Maps.
Rail: The closest station to Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is Moor Street Station. It is at a 10 minute walk from the museum. The New Street Station is at a 15 minute walk.
Bus: Hop on to National Express West Midlands Bus No.s 14 , 55 / 55A, 66 from Birmingham City Centre or Bus No. 94 from The Priory Queensway (opposite Argos) to Jennens Road.
Car: M5, M6 and M42 are the closest motorways to the museum.
Car Park: Millennium Point multi-storey car park is the nearest car parking available located on Jennens Road. The main entrance of the museum is at Level 2 of Millennium Point. The charges are: Up to 1 hour - EUR 1.50 Up to 2 hours - EUR 2.80 Up to 3 hours - EUR 3.70 Up to 4 hours - EUR 4.50
