These are MAD’s Christmas 2023 & New Year 2024 opening times for the holiday period. Please note, you are welcome to come and have a look around our gift shop without paying to enter the museum.

We are thrilled to announce that we are now stocking the new wooden automata models designed by renowned artist Rob Ives. The models will be available in the Museum or from our online shop.

Rob Ives is a British automata maker who creates intricate and whimsical mechanical sculptures that are beloved by people of all ages. His work is characterized by its attention to detail, its sense of humour, and its ability to capture the imagination of viewers.

Rob began making automata in the early 1990s after discovering a book on the subject. He was immediately drawn to the art form, which combines engineering, sculpture, and storytelling in a unique way. He began creating his own designs, experimenting with different materials and techniques until he had developed a distinctive style that was all his own.

One of the things that makes Rob’s work so special is his attention to detail. He carefully crafts each piece, ensuring that every element is just right. He also pays close attention to the mechanics of his automata, using his engineering background to create machines that are not only beautiful to look at but also function perfectly.

Another hallmark of Rob’s work is his sense of humour. Many of his automata are designed to be funny or whimsical, with characters that dance, play music, or perform other silly actions. This sense of playfulness makes his work appealing to people of all ages, from young children who delight in the movement of the machines to adults who appreciate the craftsmanship and creativity involved.

In addition to creating his own automata, Ives also shares his knowledge and skills with others. He has written several books on the subject, including “Making Mechanical Marvels In Wood” and “Paper Engineering and Pop-ups For Dummies.” He also offers workshops and classes, teaching others how to create their own automata using his techniques.

Overall, Rob Ives is a true master of the art of automata making. His work is both beautiful and fun, and his passion for the craft is evident in everything he creates. Whether you’re a fan of mechanical sculpture, engineering, or just good old-fashioned fun, Rob’s automata are sure to delight and inspire you.

Rob Ives Mad Factory

It feels like we’ve been closed for ever, but fingers crossed, pending an announcement from the Government we should be able to finally reopen again on Monday 17th. With that in mind, we have made tickets available for purchase for certain dates. Tickets are available to be bought for every Saturday and Sunday between May 22nd and June 27th, as well as the entire Warwickshire school half term week covering May 31st – June 4th.

Prepaid tickets will not be required for weekday visits other than the half term week, you will be able to turn up at MAD without a pre-booked ticket, although please note that due to Covid concerns, at busy times you may be asked to wait until it is safe to admit you and your party. We may also need to close the museum at certain times due to the presence of school group visits. We will ensure that we update our opening times as necessary so that you are able to plan your visit accordingly.

For further information and to book your visit to MAD now, see here.

MAD will be open to the public on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th November, 10:30am – 4.30pm. We will then be closed to all visitors until 2nd December in line with the new national lockdown restrictions announced by the Government last weekend. We will reopen as soon as we are allowed and we will update the website as necessary.

To visit MAD before the lockdown begins, prebooking is NOT REQUIRED, although during busy periods admittance may be delayed in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.

REFUNDS FOR EXISTING PREBOOKED CUSTOMERS: If you have an existing booking for a visit that cannot now take place due to the new lockdown restrictions, you will automatically receive a full refund for your tickets in the next few days. Please note, if you have Tesco clubcard vouchers that you require to be refunded, then this will need to be done via Tesco rather than ourselves. Thank you.

Hopefully we will be open again before we know it. Many thanks to all of you who have visited since August, we have had many more visitors than we expected given the circumstances and it’s given us a massive lift, so thank you!

MAD has finally opened its doors again! The museum will be open from 10:00am to 5:30pm every day in August, including Sunday.

Admission is by PRE-BOOKING ONLY to prevent any queues and to help maintain a safe number of people in the museum at any one time. Book your tickets online now here or by calling the museum on 01789 269 356 and selecting option 2. 

Some good news at last! We are delighted to announce that MAD is reopening it’s doors on Monday 3rd August!

The museum will be open from 10:00am to 5:30pm every day, including Sunday.

To prevent any queues and to help maintain a safe number of people in the museum at any one time, admission will be by PRE-BOOKING ONLY.