The MAD Museum
The MAD Museum
4.5
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Stratford upon Avon is most famous for being the birthplace of poet and play writer William Shakespeare, but why not try something completely outside of the box and visit the towns newest most exciting attraction- The MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.As soon as you step into this quirky attraction you'll be greeted with whirling robotics, churning clogs, rolling ball circuits, ingenious design and crazy sounds! The MAD Museum does what it says on the tin, showcasing an absolutely MAD assortment of Kinetic Art, Automata and Steampunk contraptions, gadgets and gismos. Venture into an eccentric world of moving art; The MAD Museum is a wonderful place to watch and interact with an astonishing assortment of both modern and old fashioned, yet highly innovative and elaborate machines! For the young ones: Dancing lasers, rolling ball machines, roaring mechanical dinosaur heads and whirligigs all with lots of buttons to press! The MAD Museum offers an exciting visit with an educational bias, relevant to curriculum modules such as Design & Technology and Science. We give children an experience that is worthwhile, educationally beneficial and also a lot of fun!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Gidi8 contributionsGreat place for familiesWe were grandparents with two grandchildren ages 4 and 5.5 and we all had a great time for about 2 hours from entry. The best part is the room we're you can make your own slides and experiment your engeneering abilities. It is a small museum but well organized. It was really fun!Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 13, 2024
- Goswoppit31 contributionsA real gemI spotted this while waiting to meet up with a group of friends. My friend and I decided to check out the museum while the others were having lunch and it was fabulous. There's a lovely flow around the museum with lots of brilliantly designed exhibits by skilled craftspeople for young and old to explore. Press buttons and see many and varied designs in action, a number of which are installed so you can observe the internal workings. All in all, it was a great way to spend 90 minutes seeing engineering and design and art in action. I plan to bring my teenagers here later this year.Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 3, 2024
- Helen D48 contributionsA place for fun.A great place to visit for the young and old. Lots if quirky gadgets to see and interact with. A really fun place go with the family. Well laid out with toilet facilities.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 6, 2024
- Val75038 contributionsFeel like a child, once more.We were looking for a diversion and something to do, on a cold, cloudy day. Stepped into here and felt like children again. We had a really good laugh. It's not a full day's visit, but also not advertised as such. The displays are only in the one floor, so not a massive place. However all the displays are interactive and kept us amused for an hour or so. Price..? My one small gripe. At nearly £9/adult it is in my mind, a little overpriced but we knew the price before entering so can't grumble it's just an observation.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 12, 2024
- Sue C54 contributionsDO not miss!This is an absolute gem of a place. It's tiny and probably only takes a couple of hours to go round but is absolutely incredible. It's amazing what ingenious people there are in this world. The shop is also fantastic - you could do all your year's gift shopping there!Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 2, 2024
- Clare WFleet, United Kingdom41 contributionsMarble run fun!The museum was recommended to us by locals so we decided to visit. We probably only spent an hour there as it was really busy (about 11am) so our 4 year old started to lose interest as he could not get to see some of the work. At a quieter time, we would definitely have stayed longer. However, he did enjoy the interaction throughout and the short film about some of the creators work. Whilst the exhibits are amazing and very clever, one of the best bits was trying to perfect our own marble run....it gets quite competitive and addictive once you start! I would recommend a visit, and I am interested in learning more about MAD now we have seen it in action.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 8, 2024
- Thomas BedbrookFarnham, United Kingdom35 contributionsAbsolutely Fantastic PlaceI cannot put into words how good this Museum is. It’s interactive, informative and engaging. So many wild and crazy inventions and creations. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Stratford-Upon Avon in the summer. It does get busy but that’s due to the popularity of the museum. 5/5 starsVisited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 18, 2024
- Christopher S30 contributionsPhysics and mechanics have never been so interesting!The MAD museum is a small but really novel place to visit, full of random gizmos that are somewhere between sculptures and interactive physics exhibits, from mavle race tracks to clockwork trinkets. Our kids were under 10 and both really enjoyed it and even my wife and I found a few things that we loved. Well worth a tripVisited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 30, 2024
- IsabelSolihull, United Kingdom211 contributionsBrilliant little find!⚙️Brilliant little museum! My grandma and I stumbled into this museum during our day trip to Stratford today and we were more than surprised!✨ There’s a little fee upon entry to the museum then it’s a little walk around all the mechanics. The mechanics are controlled by the visitors by pressing little sensors and they are all lovely, I highly recommend for families and little children💕. There’s a wide range of mechanics and they’re all very different⚙️Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 3, 2024
- Ian SRugby, United Kingdom869 contributionsGood but busyIt’s good but gets busy even on a wet Tuesday during the school half term! Lots of things for youngsters and adults to do operates by sensors. Fascinating with some activities specifically for kids but hard to get near them because it was busy. Friendly staff and good fun.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,691 reviews
Excellent
1,236
Very good
354
Average
66
Poor
26
Terrible
10
helen22015
Reading, UK10 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Really fab place to kill an hour or so with a teenager! I was worried it might be too young for our 17 year old son but it was great! The interactive build your own area was fun too, would recommend a visit, not too expensive either.
Written August 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olwen Julia Oates
11 contributions
Dec 2022
At first the entry fee may seem a bit expensive but it is well worth it.
From the minute you enter you are drawn in to the autometer all of which are hands on and there's something for everyone.
We 4 adults ,spent 2 hours in there having fun marvelling how they were made.
If any exhibits became out of order it was fixed at once.
In one corner there is a childrens area.
There is no time limit , you can go back to ones you love to make them go again.
I can reccommend the London Pub scene with animals singing and playing instruments.
From the minute you enter you are drawn in to the autometer all of which are hands on and there's something for everyone.
We 4 adults ,spent 2 hours in there having fun marvelling how they were made.
If any exhibits became out of order it was fixed at once.
In one corner there is a childrens area.
There is no time limit , you can go back to ones you love to make them go again.
I can reccommend the London Pub scene with animals singing and playing instruments.
Written February 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Olwen
Yes even with our recent increase due to rising costs we still feel that it's very much worth it, We're happy to hear you all enjoyed your visit and time at Mad. Thank you.
Written March 8, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pete F
Grantham, UK691 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Two seniors, travelling through Stratford stopped for lunch and as we had heard about the Mad Museum decided to visit. So delighted that we did. For those with limited ability, there is a lift to the main floor, and then you are simply mesmerised by the sheer amount of exhibits that there are, and everyone is in excellent order and works perfectly. Remarkable really, when you consider that tiny hand must often touch the exhibits.
The entrance fee, when you consider this a family event, might seem a little steep, but believe me it really is worth it. Clean & tidy, and you can fully immerse yourself in these remarkable exhibits for a good hour or two. Never seen anything like it. 10/10
The entrance fee, when you consider this a family event, might seem a little steep, but believe me it really is worth it. Clean & tidy, and you can fully immerse yourself in these remarkable exhibits for a good hour or two. Never seen anything like it. 10/10
Written October 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin B
Felixstowe, UK374 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
The MAD museum contain many mechanical contraptions, all of which can be started by a sensor, the best being the ones involving intricate routes for marbles or balls. It was a fun place to go to and there were a lot of youngsters enjoying the interactive exhibits. Although I enjoyed it more than my wife did.
Written August 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skyfluff1
173 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
I had seen this museum recommended in a few different places, but thought I wasn’t going to have the time to visit. Luckily, I was able to squeeze in a visit before catching my train home, and I’m so glad that I did!
This is a sort of interactive art gallery-museum, with a variety of mechanical pieces and installations. Some of them are very simple little scenes that move, and some of them are a lot more complex - marble runs and clocks and games that you could play. It was a lot more interesting than many other galleries, as it was so interactive. Obviously some of the pieces had an actual element you could engage with, and others you could activate by pressing the button. I went by myself, but I imagine if you went with children, they’d have a great time - I know I’d have adored it when I was a child. There’s a little area with activities for children, such as building your own marble run, building a contraption out of gears, or trying to navigate a giant marble through a tilting maze. Such a fascinating place, I would absolutely come again.
This is a sort of interactive art gallery-museum, with a variety of mechanical pieces and installations. Some of them are very simple little scenes that move, and some of them are a lot more complex - marble runs and clocks and games that you could play. It was a lot more interesting than many other galleries, as it was so interactive. Obviously some of the pieces had an actual element you could engage with, and others you could activate by pressing the button. I went by myself, but I imagine if you went with children, they’d have a great time - I know I’d have adored it when I was a child. There’s a little area with activities for children, such as building your own marble run, building a contraption out of gears, or trying to navigate a giant marble through a tilting maze. Such a fascinating place, I would absolutely come again.
Written November 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wikumj
Redhill, UK432 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Probably the best thing we did in Stratford Upon Avon. The museum is filled with mechanical contraptions and Rube Goldberg machines of various sizes and levels of interactivity - as impressive and fun for adults as it is for children. We spent an hour here to see everything thoroughly but you could spend more or less if you wanted.
Written September 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher J
18 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Great little museum for all ages. Our 10 month old loved watching all three moving parts and balls and we as 2 adults in our 30s loved it too. A good way to spend an hour or two in Stratford-upon-Avon and a change of pace from all the Shakespeare history.
Written April 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa W
5 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Visited today with my husband and my children age 12 and 10. All of us absolutely loved this museum and rated it in our top 3 of things we did in Stratford Upon Avon during our trip! It’s not big but great that most of it is interactive, we spent well over an hour exploring. Lady on the entrance was helpful and friendly. We used Tesco Clubcard vouchers to pay which was great but It’s worth the full entry price.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and it's great to hear we were in your top 3 and that you all enjoyed your time at Mad. Thank you :)
Written August 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard F
Royal Wootton Bassett, UK14 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Visited with my two boys aged 5 & 12. Although the museum has a relatively small footprint, there's loads of cool & mesmerising exhibits packed in to it. We all had a fantastic time wandering round, hypnotised by the wonders of the fantastically engineered & artistic pieces and marble runs. Great hands on area too where the kids can built there own marble rubs. We spent around 2 1/2 hours here and certainly felt like we had got value for money. Definitely worth a visit as part of your trip to Stratford-on-Avon if you have kids!
Written April 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Richard
Thank you for taking time to leave a review, as you say we are not a massive museum, but as you found out we have managed to squeeze so many exhibits in. We're glad you enjoyed your visit and thank you for visiting Mad.
Written July 13, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenny W
Birmingham, UK26 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
An amazing place, very reasonable price to enter especially as our children have Blue Peter badges so got in free. The exhibits are fascinating and we spend well over an hour looking around. The interactive marble run area was great and kept my 2 teenagers entertained. The only improvement I could suggest would be the sound in the cinema is very quiet so you couldn't hear the film (the music volume was fine but the talking part could hardly be heard) . Maybe subtitles would be a good idea if it can't be turned up. Very nice staff and the place is very well looked after. A hidden gem and well worth visiting.
Written October 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Please can anyone advise of possible time spent here? While I realise this will vary, I’d be grateful for a vague idea please. Will just be two adults.
Written February 4, 2022
I would say anywhere between a good hour to three hours depending on your level of interest, my husband also enjoyed creating his own marble run in the play area just as much as our 6 & 10 year olds and could have spent 45 mins alone in this part of the museum. I know my Dad who is in his 70’s could easily spend upwards of a couple of hours in here. We loved it.
Written February 6, 2022
Is this aimed specifically at children? My partner and I are visiting Stratford again over Valentines weekend and something different to the Shakespeare world would be great.
Written February 10, 2020
Hi Kara
While we do get children and schools enjoying the Museum, Adults also love it, if you like Heath Robinson or Mad Marble Runs or an interest in engineering you will love it.
Hope that helps, you can find more information on our website.
MG
Written February 10, 2020
Is Mad Museum suitable for toddler only just 3 (will also have 5 & 6 year old)?
Written July 27, 2019
Your 3 year old maybe a bit young (certainly for some parts) but your 5 & 6 year olds will love it.
Written July 28, 2019
Taking 4 year old grandaughter to Stratford. Weather forecast atrocious. Apart from the butterfly farm is there anywhere in the town to keep her occupied and me sane please. Thank you.
Written June 8, 2019
The mad museum has things for all ages to see. It is a very interesting place and slot to see. There is a cinema called the picture house.
Also a lot of shops to visit such as the Christmas shop that is open all year around and Harry Potter themed shops.
I hope this helps
Written June 9, 2019
natalie1982natalie
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Hi all,
Is there many things to do for children thinking of taking my 8year old,thanks for reply x
Written July 31, 2017
Hi Natalie, It's perfect for 8-year-olds. MAD is almost entirely hands-on so there are plenty of buttons to press, machines to interact with and marble runs to be made. Please take a look at the 'families' page on our website for more details. Thanks Natalie.
Written July 31, 2017
Would this museum be interesting for my 4 year old boy or should I wait until he's older?
Written May 25, 2017
I think that he would appreciate may aspects of it now. It is very tactile and there is plenty of stuff to do and lots of buttons to push to make things work. There is certainly nothing dangerous about any of the displays and I know that the curator said that HSE had approved their exhibits.
Written May 25, 2017
Would this be a great day out for a young couple without children? How long does it normally take to walk round?
Written May 5, 2017
Hi,
Even as a family with a 9yr old child, it only took us an hour. Worth getting the joint ticket with the Guildhall and Shakespeare's School rooms if you are interested in a bit of history of the place and Shakespeare.
Written May 8, 2017
Hi we have a day spare next week in our holidays and this place has caught our eye, but just wondered if there are any other things near by that we can do with our 4 year old, I know this is not a question about your exhibition, we are already sold on coming to visit but we are not familiar with the area at all, thanks
Written April 27, 2017
Hi Carla, thanks for your interest in our MAD Museum. There's plenty of great stuff to see and do in Stratford upon Avon. Your four year old would no doubt love the interactivity in the Butterfly Farm and Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall is also really interesting, plus under 5yrs are free! I hope that helped Carla. See you soon
Written April 28, 2017
Hi, we don't have parking but the closest car park to MAD is Windsor Street multi-storey car park which is a 2 minute walk to the museum (CV37 6NL).
Written January 20, 2017
Is the museum suitable for a disabled person using wheelchair
Written January 3, 2017
Yes, our museum is entirely wheelchair friendly. Please look at the Accessibility page on our website for more information.
Written January 3, 2017
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