We're about to fire up a big boy here. I don't have any digestion problems but I do have one fine museum to shout about. Now the reason I've held back from unleashing this baby before is because it's in Bradford . Not that there is anything wrong with Bradford but I'm a Leeds lover. This however needs to be visited. How many places in Yorkshire can actually stick the world National in their title? Exactly, that's why we need to spread the word. To begin with it's a bargain. All you pay is a donation that you feel happy with. Win, win! Don't be cheap now; you know it's worth it if Cheryl Cole is. Then it's time to explore. It's a celebration of most things television, film and photography. You'll find several floors exploring each genre and it's hands-on fun for kids and big kids alike. By far the best bit is reading the news and playing with the cameras and auto cues. You may disagree with that if you love your Thunderbirds and the like though with exhibits and various shows to watch. The photography is diverse and the exhibitions change every few months or so. Don't miss out the interactive exploring zone either and even have a peak at some Radio Leeds people doing their thing, as one of their remote studios is housed in the building. Don't be put off; this is a top quality museum and one that should be explored. read more

National Media Museum - From official website - Museums Near Me

Very fine media museum, Bradford's No.1 tourist attraction. This modern museum devoted to photography and broadcasting is just 5-7 minutes from the central station, and it should be your No.1 stop when you're visiting Bradford. Each floor is dedicated to a different form of media or media content, and I do recommend you start in the basement, which is the Kodak history of photography exhibit. It's easily the most impressive part of the museum. There's a plethora of historic cameras, with tons of information on the technological development of photography from metal plates to modern digital cameras. It's all lovingly presented, and there's a special presentation for the small fry several times a day. Another floor deals with the history of radio and television, again supported with a large number of historic TV cameras and radio transmitters. All very well done. The top floor is dedicated to media content, namely exhibits from some of Britain's most popular TV programs, from Dr. Who and the Daleks to Wallace and Gromit (including the only surviving miniature set from the original short films - the studio was destroyed in a fire some years ago). There are even some puppets from Gerry Anderson's 1960s animated sci-fi shows (like Captain Scarlet). Some illustrations from Tom & Jerry and other animated films will inform you about how this kind of shorts/films was made in "the old days". A temporary exhibition during my visit was a sparse but intriguing collection of items from the films of French avantgarde artist Jean Cocteau. read more

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The National Media Museum in Bradford remains the only one in the country outside of London, which is a marvellous acheivement and such a shame all at the same time. I have been coming here since I was a child and have the layout down to a t, I think it's seared into my skull. Aside from a few tweaks to one of the floors that's now a renovated television technology floor not much has changed, and this also sucks, as much of the attractions have been the same as the ones I visited over ten years ago, and whilst they were shiny and new back then they aren't now, and they don't work. The museum itself is free to attend, and there are six floors exploring photography, television, cinema, animation, Imax and new media. That's without the Imax theatre, which is awesome, however this is not free to attend, it's between £6 and £8 depending on your chosen film, but the chance to see Harry Potter in 3D is one you can't turn down, well I can't, no matter how dire those films turn out to be, I'm a sucker for it. The museum is also host to guest lectures and is heavily involved with Bradford City of Film and local film initiatives. All of which is fabulous. There's a cafe area to the left of the main entrance which is a bit pricey for the food it serves, but it fills a void and keeps hungry kids fed once they've been traipsed around and educated to the hilt in all things media. The gift shop is also a treat, clearly it's entrapment, but there's educational literature here too, in addition to novelty items. It's in serious need of some new exhibits, but it still holds a place dear in my heart. awh. read more

I love a good museum. Call me a nerd and colour me geeky, but there's nothing like a good nosy into something historic, and when it comes to cameras I'm all ears. (And eyes, obvs.) So, having managed to persuade someone into taking the trip with me, we made the excursion into Bradders. My the roads are hellish! Anyway, you probably know this. If you don't, keep an eye out for the parking lest you go around the mulberry bush a full four circuits like we did before finally getting it right. And, having made it to the parking lot, we entered via the back entrance into Bradford's National Media Museum. There are several floors of excitement and displays, and my OCD intentions wanted to take it floor by floor. However, the more sensible and pragmatic part of the twosome suggested going to the floors that sounded exciting, and fitting in the rest if we had time. Good idea. The bottom floor holds an extensive Kodak exhibition, which I rather enjoyed. I've a terrible memory for taking information like this, so don't quiz me for facts, but wandering around and casually taking in pieces of the story is what it's all about. (And, you've to live in the moment, right? We can't record every detail, after all.) The interactive displays a few floors up were lots of fun, albeit some in desperate need of a fix up, and that they're really aimed at kids. I, personally, never get bored of a mirror that makes me look short and rotund. The room with the unicorn painting, which changes colour as the light filter rotates, is also fun. If I could add video to Yelp, I would! Added into those two floors, you can also take a look at some great displays about animation in film (which was a favourite), see some models from the Ray Harryhausen films (think Jason and the Argonauts), and even get a view of behind the scenes at the IMAX. A film was in motion whilst we were there, and wondered whether or not the cinema man got fed up of being watched whilst he worked. But seeing the great swathes of film roll around was top fun. As for the cafe it'll come as no great surprise, I'm sure, to say that it was distinctly average. I've always wondered how museum/manor house/art gallery cafes manage to be so poor and yet so pricey, and sadly this one is no exception. Well, it wasn't break the bank, but the coffee was about as fun as the staff -that is, amiable, but not making tons of effort to make a customer happy. The iced mince pie was a little rock hard, but when you're surrounded by exciting things, you can forget it. Ah well! Finally, the gift shop has one up on most gift shops, given there's more to it than stuffed toys, key rings and bookmarks. Some actual interesting items lie within, including an iPhone optical zoom lens. I know this as I was gifted one for Christmas! So, go forth and enjoy. Just don't try to leave Bradders at 6pm... You'll barely make it back! read more

Let's start with the negatives first. Went to the cafe, the floor was sticky and filthy with bits of food all over. The tables which we were at were covered in crumbs and drink stains and had clearly not been washed or cleaned all day. Had a slice of what was apparently flapjack which was dry and seemed a day or two old. Also had a hot chocolate which wasn't great either and set the tone for the cafe experience. The chef if you can call her a chef I don't think there's any words to describe her. From just before 2pm all she could do in the kitchen was warm up small pizzas, she couldn't even make a sandwich. She deffinetly needs to go back to school, she won't be getting a Michelin star anytime soon. For a Christmas holiday the cafe was heavily understaffed which explains the dirtyness and extremely poor food and drink. The cafe was also only selling the small pizzas and dry cakes from 2pm. They couldn't even put together any fresh sandwiches or salads. Whoever is in charge of the cafe there you need to be ashamed and look at bringing in a better chef and better staff who'd actually take pride in their work. Thankfully the museum itself was great and I really enjoyed the doctor who exhibition. Had the exhibitions not been so good I'd struggle to give 1 star. read more

A great small break for family and the Kids really enjoyed it and would recommend, The Imax is amazing.