First Light Pavilion is must-visit destination

Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, visited the £21.5m First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank.

The First Light Pavilion, which opened in 2022, is a unique 76m grass-topped dome design based on the dish of the Lovell Telescope.

Teresa Anderson, Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, spoke about the importance of scientific education and the key role Jodrell Bank plays in inspiring children and young people through Cheshire’s role in the United Kingdom’s space industry.

Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019, Jodrell Bank is the first observatory to receive this recognition and has since received £12.1 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £4 million from the UK Government to support with the development of the First Light Pavilion.

As the number of visitors to Jodrell Bank increases – including HRH Princess Royal who visited the observatory last month, marking the occasion with the planting of a tree sapling, grown from an apple pip that went to space– David highlighted the First Light Pavilion as an ideal destination for families, especially during the upcoming Easter and May half-term holidays.

With a diverse range of activities including exhibitions, expert talks, astrophotography classes and a plethora of educational opportunities, David celebrated Jodrell Bank’s recent diversification to offer corporate venue hire and out-of-this-world weddings.

Jodrell Bank is open to visitors Tuesdays – Sundays, 10am – 5pm with last admission at 3:30pm. Tickets include access to the new Pavilion and are priced at £14 for adults and £10 for children.

Find out more at https://www.jodrellbank.net/visit/whatshere/first-light-pavilion/

Following his visit, David said, “With English Tourism Week on the horizon, I want to praise Jodrell Bank as an iconic destination that holds immense significance for Cheshire and the wider region. I encourage residents to explore the observatory’s rich history and cutting-edge research, which continues to captivate visitors from across the world. The First Light Pavilion is a must-see destination for both residents and visitors from far and wide.”