The Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee in Baku, Azerbaijan. It has been at the forefront of astronomical research since its inception in 1945, when the physicist Sir Bernard Lovell came to the University of Manchester. By the time of its completion in 1957 it was the world’s largest telescope- today it is the third largest. The site pioneered the science of radio astronomy and tracked US and Russian craft during the space race.
The site’s newest accolade marks the end of a decade-long bid to gain World Heritage status, following a 2010 application to be included in the UK’s nomination shortlist. In 2017 the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) increased the Observatory’s recognition in the National Heritage List for England. In 2018, the University of Manchester was granted £12.1 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £4 million from the DCMS for a new discovery centre at the observatory.
A spokeswoman for the University of Manchester said the observatory fulfilled the judges’ criteria, which included being “a masterpiece of human creative genius”, due to its scientific achievements. The observatory is now among 32 sites in the UK, to receive World Heritage status, and joins a list of 1,100 sites worldwide.
Heritage Minister Rebecca Pow said “I am delighted that Jodrell Bank has become the UK’s 32nd UNESCO World Heritage Site… Today’s announcement will make sure that this remarkable site will continue to inspire young scientists and astronomers all around the world.”