The Lovell Telescope is one of the largest steerable radio telescopes on Earth, and no photograph prepares you for standing under it. The First Light Pavilion tells the story, with Space Dome shows you can add when you book for £2 to £5, and the 35 acres of grounds hold the arboretum, picnic areas, ponds, a playground and the Whispering Dishes.
Time the visit around the dish moving if you can; when it turns, conversation stops. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm with last entry at 3.30pm, so Mondays are out. Best from about six up, though the grounds work for anyone.
Half term at Jodrell Bank, 26 October to 1 November: a free Spooky Space Trail with a certificate and sticker, plus a science show on weekdays. Both are included in admission. Booking online saves 10 percent.
What Santa Sees is a 15-minute festive Space Dome show at Jodrell Bank for ages 3 to 10, weekends from 14 November and daily 21 to 23 December. It costs £2 to £5 on top of site admission.
Goofus Theatre's new puppetry tale Stars and Stones plays in the Jodrell Bank Space Dome on 19 and 20 December at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.30pm. Tickets are £6. Check whether site admission is needed too.
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Holmes Chapel's soft play, on the business park by the village, with a multi-level frame, a separate toddler area and a baby area. No time limit on term-time weekdays; weekends and holidays run in two-hour sessions that need booking.
A small family-run zoo off the M6 at Twemlow, with meerkats, skunks, wallabies, owls and reptiles, keeper talks and handling sessions in the ticket. Kids £6, picnics allowed, but the nearest toilets are at the dairy cafe next door.
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