The National Science Fiction and Film Museum opened in Milton Keynes in 2021. I discovered it during research for my last blog post, Desperately Seeking Daleks and visited with my family during Easter half-term. I was stunned to find such a varied and exciting selection of exhibits to navigate at the pace of a fast moving river.
Science Fiction and Film are two big genres. Although people have been writing about our relationship with science since the 17th Century, the term ‘Sci-Fi’ wasn’t used until 1954. A Trip to the Moon (1902) is often described as the first science fiction film, a medium that continues to amaze today. This appetite for fantastic stories was aided by development of Television. This museum represents films and American and British Science Fiction, with costumes, props, concept art and storyboards. Every piece is a treasure in its own way.
Wheelchair access was good; the museum is on the first floor, so there is a a lift. An accessible toilet awaits by the main entrance. The pathways were uncluttered, the lighting good and the cabinets at a good height. Often when working with limited exhibition space, it can get sacrificed to cram extra exhibits in. No audio guide was available, but the museum promises to do its best to support visitors on its website. Putting the onus on disabled visitors to ask for support they need is not ideal. How difficult would it be to provide an audio guide?
The 24,000 square foot space was imaginatively used. I felt like I was in the hold of a ghostly spaceship! The Doctor Who exhibit had various props, replicas and costumes, (including a Dalek!) all integrated into a display. Iconic creatures sit atop some displays and are easily missed if you don’t look up! It was also to the museum’s credit that valuable exhibition space had not been given over to a big shop or café. Entry prices are very reasonable. An adult ticket was £14.50, children over 5 were £9.50 and concessions were available for carers and over 65s.
I felt I was on the clock with this visit as I could have spent the whole afternoon there. When I visit a museum, I like to read about each display and take my time. I knew I couldn’t slow everyone down too much by doing this, so I skipped reading a few of the cards and only focused my attention on the displays of British TV classics such as Doctor Who, Red Dwarf, Thunderbirds and Blakes 7. Despite this, I quickly became separated from my kids.
The museum is ideal for my age group (I was 50 this year), I recognised one of the Smash Martians with a tin of Cadbury’s Smash and smiled back broadly. Alas, I think only a very few under 50’s would also recognise them.
As it was half-term, the museum was bustling with what I imagined were Saturday afternoon divorcee dads patiently explaining the exhibits to their children. In a great personal moment for me, Bella – rushed back to the section I was in and declared excitedly “Dad, they’ve got a Ted!” (More about him later!) I imagined the approving nods of all the fathers present as they recognised that I had won; I had successfully brought up a science fiction loving daughter.
I have tried to ensure that both my kids have a good depth of knowledge about sci-fi, but this visit highlighted that there are gaps. Despite a slightly draconian ‘no photography’ order, there were plenty of opportunities to take selfies with selected full size props. My kids walked straight past the iconic phone booth from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure with no idea what it was – we will be correcting this very soon!
A special interest of mine is puppetry and I was delighted to see a production used, full-sized Ludo from Labyrinth. The main characters from The Muppets, and a production used Kim Jong Il from Team America World Police. It was fascinating to see Yoda’s disembodied arm used in the Star Wars films – reminding us how challenging it is to show puppets interacting in a believably natural way with the world around them.
Sound is very important in TV and film. Here it is used cleverly; a network of carefully hidden speakers tie the collections together. As you enter one section, you are greeted by its theme music. Hearing the music puts you right in the film. As you move along, you hear the next theme. When you hear the Imperial March in the distance, you know you’re approaching a Star Wars display!
Understanding that there are different kinds of props is important. Some items are labelled as production used props – meaning they were used on set during filming. Wardrobe and props departments produce multiple copies of every prop and costume. When post-production is complete, these may be archived by studios, reused in other productions, gifted to cast or crew, donated, or sold through auctions and private sales. Some become part of museum exhibits or sold to private collectors at auction. Some props can be screen matched to a moment in a film.
Hero props are the iconic items that are used by the actors and have a high level of detail or moving parts so they can be featured in close-ups. There were plenty on display here! Such iconic items have a high-value and are sold with certificates of authentication. A great example of the role of props departments is given at the Harry Potter Studio Tour.
As explained on the website: high quality replicas are mixed into the displays. The replica prop industry is thriving. A replica prop is modelled on the production used prop to a very high standard. A set of swords from Lord of the Rings were on display. Although not used in the production of the films, these full-scale steel blades inscribed with runes looked impressive and were exact replicas of the originals.
The museum’s website encourages visitors to come in costume, and this is for is an important reason. Any cosplayer will tell you, a replica prop can establish a powerful link between art and consumer, and it is that link that the museum is seeking to promote. Some replicas were signed by the actors; with high-quality replicas available in the shop. I like this idea, that this link that you feel when looking at and hearing the exhibits can be recreated at home. Use your imagination and you can be Flash Gordon, Marty McFly or even The Kurgan! I think this is an important difference between this and more traditional museums.
A fast moving pace is maintained by not offering lengthy explanations, or contextualising the films and TV shows with comparisons with modern day socio-political phenomena (war, rise of technology, alien encounters, or extreme climate change), or more info about movie-making. Personally, I would have enjoyed this. Surely there would be plenty of interest in a high-quality coffee table book exploring this important collection in more depth?
My favourite was the out of context Ted. In one of the last displays of the museum, there was an actual full-size Ted. Ted is a toy who comes to life and remains the best friend of his owner as he grows up, providing wry social commentary in a voice very similar to Peter Griffin’s! In the great tradition of the Muppets, general society accepts Ted’s presence in their world (driving, shopping, smoking weed) as being perfectly normal. Between them both, the Ted films grossed $765M worldwide. There was no card to explain his provenance, so I imagined that he was being held against his will and was about to beg me to take him home with me. I watched both films with the kids and had just finished watching the TV series. I would love to have my own Ted. Bella asked what the celebrity voice of my Ted would have. I love Seth MacFarlane, but as a proud Brummie, mine would have the voice of Ozzy Osborne!
I only managed a 1 hour lap of the museum, but once you get your wristband you can return any time that day (I wish I had!). According to my wife, I only missed a couple of things I would have gotten excited about; scale models of the Skeksis from The Dark Crystal and the actual letter from the John Wayne fan club received by the Scutters in an episode of Red Dwarf. The main shopping centre with its restaurants is nearby if your fellow visitors let themselves get swept around the museum too quickly. It was a great day out, even better if you use your imagination!
Richard C Brown MBE – April 2026
World According to Me: 