Closed
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day
Admission charges
Please see our website for admission charges: www.visitmagna.co.uk
Discounts
English Heritage
Description
150 foot high and a third of a mile long, the £46m Lottery funded Millennium Commission project, Magna is the UK’s first Science Adventure Centre.
Inside the building, the Magna experience is divided into seven parts - Four architecturally stunning and gadget-packed pavilions and two multimedia shows. The pavilions are themed around the four elements.
Earth is an enormous underground cave, reached by low winding tunnels and alleys, the Air pavilion is a 50 foot long ‘zeppelin’ ominously suspended 100 foot overhead, the Water attractions are housed within a gigantic, elegant steel wave and the Fire pavilion is a charred, darkened area surrounded by lightning storms and walls of fire.
Linked by suspended walkways, scissor lifts, stairs and tunnels, each of the individual ‘pods’ is jam-packed with challenges and games relating to the elemental themes. Race to move rocks with a JCB or explode a rock face in Earth and target giant water canons in Water.
In Air you can spin on the gyroscopic chair and in Fire you can watch an awe-inspiring 5-metre high fire tornado – these are to name but a few.
The two Multimedia shows are a testament to the spiritual roots of the building. Formerly the famous Templeborough Steelworks, the cavernous shed was once the
workplace of 10,000 steelworkers and the recipient of a telegram from PM Jim Callaghan for its services to the industry. These shows bring to life the sounds, sights and intense atmosphere that earned Templeborough the nickname – ‘The Anvil of South Yorkshire’.
The first show is ‘The Face Of Steel’ a 100 foot high floor-to-ceiling 3-D collection of projected film and imagery, this is the largest multi-media display in the UK. Climb amongst the screens and sounds to reach the main walkway and access to the pavilions within heart of the building.
The second show – ‘The Big Melt’ is undoubtedly one of Magna’s most breathtaking features. Heard and seen from almost every part of the building, the show is set around the original Arc furnace, unused since the days of Sheffield’s booming steel industry. In a pyrotechnic and audio display powerful enough to shake everything underfoot and overhead, the steel making process is perfectly re-created (except for the absence of thousands of tons of molten steel of course and the melting temperatures!).
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Information point provided
Parking for coaches
Guided tours
Disability Access
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to all public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan
Children and Families
Activities for pre-school children
Baby changing facilities
Children's play area
Events and resources for children and families
Indoor soft play area
Picnic area
General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Education facilities available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
Schools Education
Direct teaching services for schools
Primary school education service available
Secondary school education service available
Facilities
Auditorium
Cafeteria
Facilities for private functions and events
Licensed for weddings
Meeting room available
Picnic area
Refreshments
Restaurant
Shop
Study facilities
