Latest News from the National Science and Media Museum

The National Science and Media Museum unveils a surprise new star object as part of its reopening celebrations. The object, a 2m tall replica of the Techno Trousers first seen in Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993), will take centre stage in the museum’s reopening celebration A Grand Day Out, on Saturday 11 January. 

The one-of-a-kind model, crafted by Aardman exclusively for the museum, will create a wow and selfie moment for new and returning visitors alike as they’re welcomed into the museum’s new foyer space. The object sees the trousers, accompanied by beloved penguin super-villain Feathers McGraw, climbing the museum’s wall above the welcome desk. As well as creating a striking moment in the museum’s revamped foyer, the model makes a playful reference to the plot of The Wrong Trousers, where Feathers McGraw uses the Techno Trousers to dupe Wallace into stealing a diamond from the city museum, which makes a comeback in their latest adventure too…

The partnership comes as part of a long-standing relationship between the National Science and Media Museum and Aardman.

During A Grand Day Out on 11 January, visitors can enjoy hands-on model-making workshops with Aardman, as well as live science shows from the museum’s team of Explainers.  Wallace & Gromit will also be taking over Pictureville Cinema, offering the chance to catch five of their most loved titles on the big screen for free – including Feathers McGraw’s most recent adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024), which premiered on the BBC One on Christmas Day, with the museum’s cinema being one of the only cinemas in the UK screening the hit new film. The redesigned Media Café will also feature a new menu inspired by Wallace’s favourite snack, Wensleydale cheese, in a nod to his Yorkshire heritage.

The partnership comes as part of a long-standing relationship between the National Science and Media Museum and Aardman, with the museum showcasing animation technology as part of its core collection. The museum has previously featured Aardman’s pioneering work, including their first creation, Morph, and props from classic Wallace & Gromit films, in both temporary exhibitions and permanent displays. Morph has also emblazoned the museum’s facade to herald its reopening on a huge banner warmly welcoming people to come and enjoy the newly revamped museum.

“We are delighted to build on Aardman’s longstanding relationship with the National Science and Media Museum.”

Visitors eager for more Aardman magic can look forward to the museum’s brand-new Sound and Vision galleries, launching in summer 2025. The new permanent displays will take visitors on a journey through the explosion of media technologies and their impact on our lives, including additional Aardman treasures and a broader celebration of animation.

Commenting on the new star object, Ngaio Harding-Hill, Head of Attractions & Live Experiences at Aardman, said: “We are delighted to build on Aardman’s longstanding relationship with the National Science and Media Museum with these infamous trousers and our favourite penguin mastermind forming part of their grand reopening and exciting future in such an impactful way for visitors to enjoy, at a time where Wallace & Gromit themselves are also making such a grand comeback!”

For more information and to book free museum and cinema tickets for A Grand Day Out, please visit: https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/grand-day-out

Wallace & Gromit Vengeance Most Fowl is available in the UK on BBC iPlayer and globally on Netflix.