Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum

150 years ago, the area surrounding Catalyst was a hive of activity. Ambitious industrialists transformed the local area into a major centre for the chemical industry. In the late 19th Century the area was dominated by huge factories. The canal and wet dock area were busy with boats carrying cargo, as were the trains on the railways that criss-crossed Spike Island. The building that houses Catalyst was built to house a laboratory and offices for John Hutchinson’s two chemical factories on Spike Island. Years later the building was bought by Gossages Soap Works, once the largest soap works in Britain!

Come and take part in a guided walk, explore the routes and connections across the local area and see some fascinating artefacts, reminders of the once busy industrial site. Visit Judith and her team in our Gossage Room where you’ll find a selection of rarely seen artefacts from our archive collection. Discover the connections between the local industry, the soap works and the families in our local community.

If that’s not enough, you can explore the Interactive galleries, learn about the history of the local area or marvel at the 360 degree views from our glass-walled rooftop Observatory Gallery where we’ll be hosting Runcorn and Widnes Historical Societies and representatives from the Daniel Adamson Steamship!

You can also stop for a tasty snack or drink from the Catalyst Café whilst admiring the views of Spike Island and the Mersey Gateway Bridge!

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

Open from 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday 15 September:

Open from 10:00am - 5:00pm

Location & directions

Mersey Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 0DF

Directions:

Catalyst is located in Widnes, Cheshire, just minutes from the Silver Jubilee and the Mersey Gateway Bridges. Easily accessible from anywhere in the North West, Junction 7 M62 or Junction 12 M56. Follow he brown and white tourism signs. Catalyst has a large free car park.

Contact on day:

Judith Wilde

Telephone number:

+441514201121

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Catalyst has been designed with all visitors in mind. For access information see this link https://www.catalyst.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Catalyst-Access-Information.pdf or see this link for our Visual Story https://www.catalyst.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Catalyst-Visual-Story.pdf

Additional information

Dogs are welcome in the cafe. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the galleries.

Check out our online channels

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