The Observatory Science Centre
Latest Reviews
Harv a fantastic day here with my girls and hubby!! Lots of interactive things for the kids to play with (as well as us) even at the age ms 6 and 9 they learnt quite a bit without realising! Will definitely be putting this forward at my Beaver Scout group for our astrology badge in the future!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We attended with me in a wheelchair, my husband, my parents and a 6 and 10year old. We had a lovely time. The talks were great and the kids loved the indoor and outdoor activities. The cafe was clean and the staff were polite. Would recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wasn't sure what to expect from the museum but was pleasantly surprised. We spent a good couple of hours there using all the hands on experiments and having lovely family fun. We have boys aged 11 & 13 and this kept them engaged for quite a while before they got bored. We didn't go to any of the talks but this would have extended our stay and the entrance was very reasonably priced for a family of 4.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I came with my 7 year old son and 4 year old daughter on a day which turned out surprisingly bright and hot. It was busier than I had anticipated too. This was our second visit and I have to say that the heat and amount of visitors meant it wasn't quite as enjoyable as the first. Personally I preferred being able to take my time exploring each exhibit without feeling hassled to move on or aside. There really are a lot of fantastic hands on experiments which are so much fun to work through. It is a really great way to introduce children to science in a fun way. The actual observatories that are open to look inside are slightly harder work if you're not naturally scientifically minded. It's always a bit awkward when you have to admit to your 7 year old the information is a step beyond your comprehension. Overall it is well worth a visit, and I would certainly visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stopped by with a view to pop in but concentrate on the gardens round the castle. In the event we all got caught up playing with the exhibits and enjoying the lectures . Excellent learning space with the benefit that not all the telescopes / observatories have been given over to children so you can still get a feel for what it felt like when it was working in its heyday .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We paid for a joint ticket to the castle grounds and gardens which is less than paying seperately, but you can also visit one and not the other.
Lots of fun interactive exhibits. Good balance of education and fun. Regular talks that are free to attend too. Popped to the cafe which had a reasonable selection of snacks. Staff helpful and friendly. Highly recommended for all ages.
Lots of fun interactive exhibits. Good balance of education and fun. Regular talks that are free to attend too. Popped to the cafe which had a reasonable selection of snacks. Staff helpful and friendly. Highly recommended for all ages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As a science geek I was quite looking forward to visiting the Observatory Science Centre. It didn't disappoint! There is a fantastic number of hands on activities for kids (and adults) that cover a range of different science topics. I did find some explanations went over the heads of my two children when they read them but found it easy to break down the bits they found difficult in understanding.
We also attended the science show and a tour of one of the observatories, both of which were very interesting.
I would really recommend this for families with children as it is a great way to get them learning about science in a fun and hands on environment.
We also attended the science show and a tour of one of the observatories, both of which were very interesting.
I would really recommend this for families with children as it is a great way to get them learning about science in a fun and hands on environment.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Unfortunately it rained the day we were in Eastbourne so we decided to visit the observatory. It’s tucked away in the country along winding country-lanes but well worth the effort.
There are set times for talks on the environment and of course astronomy, within one of the observatory telescope stations
And there is a large science activity centre allowing the children to play and explore
A very good day despite the rain
There are set times for talks on the environment and of course astronomy, within one of the observatory telescope stations
And there is a large science activity centre allowing the children to play and explore
A very good day despite the rain
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting afternoon spent here - the kids enjoyed the hands on equipment/experiments and the staff were incredibly knowledgable throughout the talks.
The site is very dated, and although I appreciate there is no funding provided, cleanliness could be improved on, especially in the toilets (not particularly clean with no soap).
The site is very dated, and although I appreciate there is no funding provided, cleanliness could be improved on, especially in the toilets (not particularly clean with no soap).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We love this place, really good interactive equipment, light, physics, gravity, space, biology, time, pressure, experiments and shows/talks. I like the history of the place as much as the current usage. Loads of stuff for the kids of most ages, entrance fee is ok, we spent an afternoon here, personally ? Probably only half a day tops- Def worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Brilliant. Simply brilliant. It's the same, yet with more in Discovery Park, than the last time we visited. I love it here. Two 11 year olds & a 16 year old, & we filled over 2 hours with no boredom! We could have done another 45 - 60 minutes, had we gone to the Science Shows, but we chose not to, because of time. I was sad to hear the Sir Isaac Newton telescope isn't there, but we sat in for the tour eith the Thompson 26" refracting telescope, & it was amazing. The lady (so sorry to have forgotten her name!) Knew so much! She really knew how to talk to all the children, from the teenies to the tweenies. I was totally blown away by the interesting things, & at a time when Mars is so visible too, she made me feel like she was talking to me! Reasonably priced, & friendly staff, we'll go again!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Purchased tickets to Herstmonceux Castle which included the Science Centre. Worth the visit. Children will love it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stopped by for a quick afternoon visit with friends as we were in the area, we enjoyed the facilities, the view and the history. Beautiful setting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although aimed at the younger generation me and my husband found this place enormous fun and really brings out the kid in you!! Excellent displays, hands on exhibits and knowledgable enthusiastic staff makes this place brilliant!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Alas my teenager grandchildren at 16 feel they are too old for this amazing place. However they loved it from ages 5-13 and we visited dozens of times and they didn't want to leave
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I were on our way to Leeds Castle when we saw the science centre and thought we'd go there instead! Really pleased we did, lovely walk round the castle gardens and then on to the observatories. The exhibits were clearly designed with youngsters in mind but this OAP certainly enjoyed them! The tour of two of the telescopes was really interesting (thanks Allison) and the outdoor toys were great fun!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great day out, staff were friendly and informative, tour of observatory was excellent, well stocked cafe with delicious cake and welcoming staff, exhibits were educational and completely interactive, great outdoor discovery Centre and water play area, good value for money (approx. £30), fab day out for 46 year old, 73 year old, 15 year old, 13 year old and 9 year old. This is the second time we’ve been and we will return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went here with our 4 year old. Whilst a lot of the science was beyond her understanding she still loved trying out all the experiments. Cafe good value but limited menu. It was a hot weekend but was not busy, thoroughly recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We we're at the castle and thought we would stop in. I'm incredibly glad we did. It is a magnificent facility with plenty of hands on science for kids. Make sure you find out when the telescope tour is and take it. Jeremy was an amazing guide.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Used to come here frequently many years ago to visit castle and gardens but the observatory wasn’t open to public.
The interactive science exhibition was interesting and fun.
Small cafe but loved that they used cups that had been made from recycled materials and compostable.
Highlight was the tour. The opening up of telescope dome didn’t fail to impress us and inspired us to return at night!
The interactive science exhibition was interesting and fun.
Small cafe but loved that they used cups that had been made from recycled materials and compostable.
Highlight was the tour. The opening up of telescope dome didn’t fail to impress us and inspired us to return at night!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very much hands on, very informative. Great exhibits for kids both inside as well as outside. The tours were very well done.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Five of us obtained joint tickets for Herstmonceux Castle gardens and the science centre for a Father's day treat, we found the Science Centre very enjoyable with many scientific experiments for us and the Grandchildren to do which was very enjoyable, we spent 3 hours there and were virtually the last to leave.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a week in Eastbourne for May half term (26th May-2nd June)and went to this fantastic attraction for the day. The sun shone down all day which probably added to the occasion as we were able to spend time on all of the fantastic outside exhibits, as well as giving my son the fun of stroking the incredibly tame fish in the centre courtyard pond.
The price was reasonable from memory and the observatory tour was fantastic with a very knowledgable guide.
Food in the cafe was reasonably priced, fresh and hot and there was enough to do to really spend the whole day (we did 11am-4pm and we never last that long in an "attraction"
The attraction where you can plot the constellations was awesome..reckon we could have stayed there for an hour.
All in all it strikes a balance of being educational but fun for all ages.
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The price was reasonable from memory and the observatory tour was fantastic with a very knowledgable guide.
Food in the cafe was reasonably priced, fresh and hot and there was enough to do to really spend the whole day (we did 11am-4pm and we never last that long in an "attraction"
The attraction where you can plot the constellations was awesome..reckon we could have stayed there for an hour.
All in all it strikes a balance of being educational but fun for all ages.
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Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really good value for money, lovely day out for all ages. Highly recommend the visit, lots of interactive activities to play with.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We brought the joint ticket enabling us to visit the Castle grounds and the Science Centre. The centre looks quite striking from a distance with its 6 copper domes, which have oxidised to a green colour.
We were warmly welcomed and given a brief explanation of what was where. We were also told the time of the next Telescope tour. We enjoyed the tour immensely, the tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and approachable. He even demonstrated how the Dome opens and closes, and rotates.
Everything in the centre is science based, primarily physics. Outside there are exhibits of different ways of moving water, which kids and adults can have a go on, there is a science based play area with all sorts of different things to try.
Indoors there are several rooms with all sorts of hands on exhibits to try out. From experiments with electromagnets through to how to bend light with prisms. All great fun and even us old fogeys learnt a thing or two.
My one recommendation is that if like us you are visiting both Castle and Science centre, then leave enough time for the science sector. We were the last to leave, and could easily have stayed longer.
We were warmly welcomed and given a brief explanation of what was where. We were also told the time of the next Telescope tour. We enjoyed the tour immensely, the tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and approachable. He even demonstrated how the Dome opens and closes, and rotates.
Everything in the centre is science based, primarily physics. Outside there are exhibits of different ways of moving water, which kids and adults can have a go on, there is a science based play area with all sorts of different things to try.
Indoors there are several rooms with all sorts of hands on exhibits to try out. From experiments with electromagnets through to how to bend light with prisms. All great fun and even us old fogeys learnt a thing or two.
My one recommendation is that if like us you are visiting both Castle and Science centre, then leave enough time for the science sector. We were the last to leave, and could easily have stayed longer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
