Take a closer look at one of the fantastic attractions included with the Explorer Pass each month with our monthly feature Explore. Find out all about what the attraction has to offer and everything you need to know to plan a visit.
This month we are finding out about the eccentric MAD Museum!
Located a few doors down from Shakespeare’s Birthplace in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, the MAD Museum is a quirky attraction that displays interactive pieces of mechanical art, kinetic art and automata.
Family Friendly
Suitable for Rainy Days
Wheelchair Accessible
Central Location
The MAD Museum first opened in 2012 as the brain child of founder Richard Simmons. The museum had a very successful opening eighteen months welcoming over 34,000 visitors and in late 2013 moved to a larger more centrally located premises, which is where it can be found today. Visitor numbers continued to increase as did the number of new exhibits on display year on year. Today the museum sells marble kits and pieces made by their technical team as well as making commissioned pieces and even offering live laser cut signs made for visitors while they watch and wait!
The MAD Museum is one of a kind as the only permanent venue for mechanical art in the UK. The ‘MAD’ stands for ‘Mechanical Art and Design’ and the museum displays beautifully crafted, moving sculptures either made to have an exaggerated purpose or made simply for the fun of it.
For families the MAD Museum is a fantastic choice. It is a completely sensory experience with colours, sounds, lights and movements to capture the little ones’ attention. The exhibits are interactive, and children are actively encouraged to press buttons and be hands on. The museum is a great place to inspire the kids’ imaginations and subtly teach them a bit of physics and engineering too! There are also activity sheets and holiday competitions to take part in that will keep them busy for hours.
And for the not-so-little kids the MAD Museum is a fascinating place. There are pieces on display that have been sourced from artists all around the world. The eccentric museum will really appeal to those with curious and methodical brains. If you enjoy a challenge and figuring out how things work, then you will enjoy it here! The museum’s collection has also been described as nostalgic as many of the exhibits are reminiscent of the works of Rude Goldberg and Heath Robinson.
In a nutshell, if you have an interest in art, design, science or engineering then the MAD Musuem will be for you!
Opening Hours
April to September
Monday – Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays* 10:00 – 5:30pm
October to March
Monday – Friday 10:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays* 10:00 – 5:30pm
*Warwickshire School Holidays and Bank Holidays
Tel: 01789 269356
Email: [email protected]
For full details about the MAD Museum please visit their website here.
And don’t forget that entry to The MAD Museum is FREE with the Explorer Pass! You can find out more about how the pass works here.
Registered Office:
Beacon House
Stokenchurch
HP14 3FE
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