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About National Space Centre

If any member of your family has ever dreamt of becoming an astronaut then they’re going to love the award-winning National Space Centre! This Leicester-based attraction is a great place to visit during periods when the kids are eager to explore. Whether you have kids with a deep curiosity for alien life, a spacecraft fanatic or a kid who loves all things planets, this space centre will completely blow your socks off! 

Not only does the National Space Centre have the largest planetarium in the UK but there are lots of fascinating interactive galleries to view too. You can quite literally have your head in - and beyond - the clouds... Exploring astronomy & space is a truly magical experience for children. Take one giant leap for your family, and visit this otherworldly attraction!

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Hands-on Science and Interactive Fun

From audiovisual displays, interactive challenges and sensory experiences, to informational interpretations and trails to complete in the galleries, there is plenty to keep all of our visitors engaged.

There are over 170 interactive activities located around our galleries, as well as a world-class exhibition, including spaceflown artefacts, a piece of the moon and 2 huge rockets on display.

Enter the Video Booth, chase fish on an interactive floor, and make your own pledge to help our Home Planet in this informative and exciting gallery.

Take a tour around Into Space and you will come face-to-face with astronauts, spacesuits and our journey into space.

Walk through Our Solar System and take time out of your journey to drive a Martian rover on the red planet, take a bath with Saturn and even see Venus in 3D.

Explore the wonders of our Universe. Cast your vote on whether or not we are alone, take a trip through a wormhole and watch the Big Bang.

The iconic Rocket Tower at the National Space Centre is home to Blue Streak and Thor Able rockets, as well as the Gagarin Experience, Apollo Lunar Lander and real Moon Rock.

The UK's largest Planetarium

Sit back and enjoy an award-winning show in the UK's largest planetarium.

Included in every first visit is a fulldome show in the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium.

Designed by an award-winning in-house team from NSC Creative, our shows explore everything from the wonders of the universe and the creation of stars, to the challenges astronauts face in zero-gravity conditions and the role that astronomers play in today's science.

Guest narraters include Andy Serkis, David Tennant, Rupert Grint and Ewan McGregor.

For a more traditional Planetarium experience, our Tour of the Night Sky is a presenter-led journey through the wonders of the Universe. Your presenter will guide you around our night time sky and together you will look at the stars, visit planets and explore the mysteries of Space, in your own unique adventure.

Live science demonstrations and talks

Join our experts, guests, science communicators and our Discovery team to find out more about what is happening in space right now.

We host regular science shows during the school holiday periods. Drop in to take a seat and watch our very latest videos, news stories and live updates.

This is your perfect opportunity to ask your space questions to our team of experts.

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Facilities

  • TOILETS iconToilets
  • FREE_WIFI iconFree Wifi
  • GIFT_SHOP iconGift Shop
  • ONSITE_PARKING iconOnsite Parking
  • ACCESSIBLE_TOILETS iconAccessible Toilets
  • BABY_CHANGING iconBaby Changing
  • FOOD_AVAILABLE iconFood Available
  • WHEELCHAIR_FRIENDLY iconWheelchair Friendly
  • CARD_PAYMENTS_ACCEPTED iconCard Payments Accepted
  • WHEELCHAIR_HIRE iconWheelchair Hire
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Opening Times

Regular Times
  • Monday, 09:00 - 16:00
  • Tuesday, 09:00 - 16:00
  • Wednesday, 09:00 - 16:00
  • Thursday, 09:00 - 16:00
  • Friday, 09:00 - 16:00
  • Saturday, 09:00 - 17:00
  • Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00
Special Days

    Monday, October 21 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Tuesday, October 22 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Wednesday, October 23 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Thursday, October 24 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Friday, October 25 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Monday, October 28 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Tuesday, October 29 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Wednesday, October 30 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Thursday, October 31 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Friday, November 1 2024: 10:00 - 17:00

    Tuesday, September 17 2024: Closed

    Tuesday, November 12 2024: Closed

    Friday, November 15 2024: Closed

    Wednesday, November 20 2024: Closed

    Friday, December 13 2024: Closed

    Tuesday, December 24 2024: Closed

    Wednesday, December 25 2024: Closed

    Thursday, December 26 2024: Closed

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Pricing & Tickets

General Admission
  • Adult (16-18+) : £20.95
  • Child (5-16) : £18.95
  • Babies and Toddlers (0-5) : Free

General Admission
Adult: £19.95 (Online)/£20.95 (On the Door)

Child (aged 5-16): £17.95 (Online)/£18.95 (On the Door)

Student Concession: £17.95 (Online)/£18.95 (On the Door)

Disabled Concession: £17.95 (Online)/£18.95 (On the Door)

Senior Concession (65+): £17.95 (Online)/£18.95 (On the Door)

Under Fives: Free Entry

Car Park

£4.00

Book in advance for cheapest tickets

Find other attractions similar to National Space Centre by visiting our attraction tickets section.

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Plan Your Visit

MorningAfternoonEvening

Stopwatch IconTypical visit time 3 - 4 hours

Tick IconSuitable for Kids and Adults too

Food & Drink Options

Our café serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, soup, nachos, jacket potatoes, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, wraps and cakes.

We have healthy, vegetarian and vegan options throughout the menu, and our team are always happy to help with any dietary requirements (we have gluten free rolls that can be made to order, so just chat with our café staff).

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FAQs

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Parking

Toilets Icon

Toilets

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Family Friendly Options

Food & Drink

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Tickets & Bookings

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Accessibility Information

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Private Hire & Birthday Parties

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Public Transport

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Contact Details

National Space Centre
Exploration Drive
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE4 5NS
England

What3words: phones.curiosity.solar

Tel: 0116 261 0261

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Transport Information

First Bus 54

Runs every 10 mins throughout the day Monday to Saturday and every 20 mins on Sunday running from 09:30.

Skylink Derby

Runs every 20 minutes along Abbey Lane | runs 24/7

Both buses drop off and pick up close to the Centre (ask the Driver to notify you where to alight).

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Verification & Last Updated

Verified Status:Verified

This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.

Last Updated: 14:35 10/10/2024

National Space Centre Reviews

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