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Things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon
The MAD Museum
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The MAD Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
The MAD Museum
4.5
1,621 reviews
#3 of 101 things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon
Art Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:30 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
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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!
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,621 reviews
Excellent
1,177
Very good
343
Average
66
Poor
25
Terrible
10
jennifer l
Rhondda, UK23 contributions
fantastic place
Jun. 2023
second visit here,the automatons are just great, particularly like 'run rabbit run' reminds me of my Dad, could stay all day, every parent should try and take their children there
Written June 9, 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.
Stef M
Coventry, UK2 contributions
Interactive Museum
May 2023 • Family
Great visit on a Sunday afternoon with my 3yo and 5yo girls. They loved how interactive the museum was - having lots of buttons to press to make things move was like heaven for them! And they were mesmerised by the section where you can build your own marble run - they spent ages on it! Would absolutely recommend a visit.
Written June 6, 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.
Emma E
1 contribution
Great interactive fun for all.
May 2023 • Family
Brilliant interactive place, great fun for all. We didn't really know about this place until we notice the Red telephone box at the other end of the street which caught our eye and intrigued us to go inside the museum. Honestly won't be disappointed.
Written May 31, 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.
LuluT
3 contributions
Quirky. Fun. Entertaining for mix of ages
May 2023
Well worth a visit. Entertained both my children (10 and 4) who are usually into very different things! They loved being able to start the mechanical toys (each has a motion sensor to wave your hand past), Great for all ages. There are steps up to the museum but there's also a lift. Nice little shop too with STEM toys etc. Look into buying a combined ticket for entry to the museum as well as the Shakespeare Schoolroom and Guildhall for savings. Would recommend.
Written May 30, 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.
Olwen Julia Oates
13 contributions
Brilliant fun-must go place!!
Dec. 2022
This is an amazing place to visit the Autometon's are amazing.
You can return to your favourites again if you like,. There are no time limits.
Also there's a corner esp for children to play in.
There are steps up to the museum.B
Written May 20, 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.
Andrew Dufresne
Culham, UK60 contributions
Definitely worth a visit
Apr. 2023 • Family
A real gem in Stratford. Not too expensive and we bought a combined ticket with Shakespeare’s school room and guildhall. All the mechanical toys are fun and well crafted. It takes about 45mins to go around but you could easily stay longer building your own cog wheels. There is a film to watch about an amazing instrument played with marbles and a car gravity run. Best part was the cat hands slap!
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.
Christopher J
11 contributions
Something for everyone!
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.
Lynn M
3 contributions
Can't recommend this enough
Mar. 2023
This was brilliant - very entertaining for all ages. The staff were fantastic, especially with our autistic daughter.
Written April 16, 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.
Glass half full
London, UK139 contributions
Wheelchair visit
Apr. 2023 • Family
Wheelchair visit here at Easter. What a hidden gem! This museum is accessed via a good sized wheelchair lift (500kg max). The staff have concession rates. This was the only place in Stratford upon Avon to ask if my son was a student!

It’s full of mechanical models with all sorts of fun and irreverent ideas. A haven for small kids and adults alike as each model is operated by a light sensitive switch that you just wave your hand over!

Nearly 100% working.

They also have a great gift shop selling many different models.

It’s also a break from Shakespeare !

Disabled toilet at the back.

Highly recommended.
Written April 12, 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.
Emma_and_nick1985
Manchester6 contributions
Fantastic museum!
Apr. 2023
Fantastic museum! We took our two boys aged 8 and 5. They thoroughly enjoyed it and we both loved it as much as they did. We spent about 1hr 1/2 here but could easily have stayed longer.
Written April 12, 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.
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THE MAD MUSEUM - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about The MAD Museum
The MAD Museum is open:
  • Mon - Fri 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Sat - Sun 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking The MAD Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 The MAD Museum tours on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near The MAD Museum: View all restaurants near The MAD Museum on Tripadvisor