The Observatory Science Centre
Latest Reviews
Lots to see and do, especially for children
Source: google.com
Love this place, fantastic hands on science. The talks/tours are also very good.
Source: google.com
Brilliant place for kids and adults
Source: google.com
I, and my family, love it here. The site is crammed full of hands-on science themed experiments and activities for kids, inside and out. The facility is the old observatory, which makes is at once historic, characterful and tired. But the activities and experiments are a great mix of fun - mostly physics based - and include water, magnets, space/planets, forces, electricity, light and more. Staff are keen to show you what to do and there are scheduled talks in the domes (which feature the original telescopes). The cafe is basic but functional, recommend bringing a packed lunch. For inquisitive young minds this place is tremendous and in terms of hands on things to do is FAR better than the Science Museum in London.
Source: google.com
I booked the observatory for a surprise birthday treat for my dads 70th. It was absolutely magical! Due to bad weather we had to change the date quite last minute & the venue couldn't have been more accommodating. We paid to hire the whole observatory for our private party & that included up to 12 of us. For the money we had run of the place, which was absolute heaven for the kids playing in the science centre, & equally fun for the older ones in the party. As it was summer we spent quite a while playing on the exhibits outside until it was dark enough to view through the telescopes. The staff were fantastic - enthusiastic, knowledgable, patient & extremely flexible in terms of the schedule for the evening. It was undoubtedly one of the most magical, fun evenings ever! In hindsight I wish we had chosen the catering option rather than having a meal before arriving as this would have given us more time there as we really did treasure every minute of our experience. The kids will remember it forever & my dad said it was the best birthday he'd ever had. I can't rate it highly enough - perfect it every respect.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have recently attended a 12 week introduction to astronomy course which has been fantastic. The lecturers are all extremely passionate about their subject and engaging. There is nothing they don't know! The whole subject is fascinating. I must admit some of it was difficult to understand (without a background on physics and chemistry) but it was taught with empathy and clarification of some of the finer points. We definitely want to do another course next year.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a fantastic place for adults and children with so many things to see and do. I really enjoyed the learning process by taking part in the activities. So much to see and so much to do as well as visiting the actual observatories. The guided tour was excellent and so informative. I would highly recommend this location for the whole family.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took a school party a few years ago and visited as a couple lately. Good experience both times....educational and I retesting and a lovely setting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our children had a lovely day visiting the centre our 9 year old enjoyed all the talks the cafe is reasonable many thanks once again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I work in a school and we came here on a school trip with children in years 3 and 4. I can honestly say that this is one of the best school trips that i've been on. There was so much for the children to get stuck in to. The staff were friendly and all the areas were very clean and tidy. I liked the fact that the children were able to experiment with everything and not expected to listen to long talks which can sometimes get very boring. The show that we saw was great too, it involved the lady making fire and the children on hover boards which they throughly enjoyed. All of our children were so well behaved which I put down to the fact that they were all enjoying themselves so much. I would definately recommend this day out to anyone. Thank you Herstmonceux for a wonderful day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
When I volunteered at a beavers club we took the group here for an evening and they loved it, there is loads for them to do including an outside playground with interesting frames etc. Inside there are lots of interactive things for them which makes the learning exciting for them!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the Observatory and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The information and activities were fun and engaging, suitable for young and old. The family loved it!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took my 2.5 year old son thinking he wouldn't enjoy it. How wrong I was. Really great science centre which we enjoyed as much as he did :) Great outdoor stuff as well as indoor and very nice staff. Lovely visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent visiting while on half term
Cost us £27 I think for a family of 4
Lots of science things to do.
The kids love it.
Spent about 3 hours here that's enough
Cost us £27 I think for a family of 4
Lots of science things to do.
The kids love it.
Spent about 3 hours here that's enough
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went for an hour and stayed all afternoon. It is very close to Eastbourne where we were staying and about half an hour from Brighton. The place is for all ages with hands on experiments. I (at 68) was also hands on. My husband in a wheelchair could also enjoy it. We went to listen to the talk about the telescope which was so interesting. I hope one day to go back and look through it at the night sky. I shall certainly return with my grandchildren. This is a must place to visit. The volunteers were very helpful. Why is such a well kept secret?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having been here several times with children of all ages I can say how much everyone has enjoyed the experience. There is so much to see and do inside the centre and the grounds are great to burn off some energy and to enjoy a picnic.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a fun place to visit with the kids, which is also educational.
There are plenty of different things to keep the kids (and adults) entertained, from puzzles, demonstrations and talks. There are fun interactive things, both inside and out, which demonstrate concepts of motion, vision, sound and electricity amongst many other things.
We also attended a fun talk about the basics of rocket power.
There are areas where things could be improved a little, and the small cafe was just OK, with a fairly limited menu, uncomfortable seating and many tables needing wiping down after their last occupants, but overall this was a fun place to visit for adults and children alike, and I would recommend it as a great option during school holidays.
There are plenty of different things to keep the kids (and adults) entertained, from puzzles, demonstrations and talks. There are fun interactive things, both inside and out, which demonstrate concepts of motion, vision, sound and electricity amongst many other things.
We also attended a fun talk about the basics of rocket power.
There are areas where things could be improved a little, and the small cafe was just OK, with a fairly limited menu, uncomfortable seating and many tables needing wiping down after their last occupants, but overall this was a fun place to visit for adults and children alike, and I would recommend it as a great option during school holidays.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A perfect place for children and adults alike plenty of outside and inside experiments covering a wide range of science topics, staff were available for extra information. Even the 6 year old grandson thoroughly enjoyed it and kept him quite for hours !
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A good value, educational and fun day out for everyone. We went with our young grandchildren and their parents. The 4 and 6 year old were jumping with excitement trying out the interactive experiments.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I paid for for the garden,castle and observatory and so pleased I did. Although the weather was not its best I still had so much fun and enjoyed the working apparatus which the public use them and see how it works very hands on which shows all aspects of science. I will bring my Grandson with me next time. The telescope guided tour with speaker which was at the end of the day Excellent stay. Havnt been there for years so was impressed with the the new facilities. The staff were the best I have encountered for it was quite amazing and allowed the children and adults to ask questions in all aspects of the room where the telescope was sited. There are four telescopes to see on site and all were different than the other. It Excellent stay. Havnt been there for years so was impressed with the the new facilities. The staff were the best I have encountered, for it was a special day for me as I didn't know what to expect - I thought you have to be a bit of a nerd to visit places like this but the whole place made it fun to learn. Thank you for enlightening a young woman of 67 year old that learning new things are fun.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Came here with my 2 year old. What a great place! He loved the outdoor play area, particularly the water experience. He also tried lots of the experiments, even though he was too young to understand them he did enjoy having a go. The gift shop is also great with reasonably priced items that are not a rip off. Nice little cafe serving various toasties etc for lunch.
Go here! It's great.
Go here! It's great.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took my two boys here (9 & 12), they and I really enjoyed it. Lots to do, both inside and outside. Lots of hands on, if you actually read the stuff you learn something too. I would say half a day here is enough. Would recommend tho if in the area, good wet or dry event.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very well organized and lots to do. Children having hands on science exhibits a benefit to understand science. Interesting talk about rockets with interaction. Very accessible to persons in wheelchair. Very educational on beautiful grounds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a great day. Very interactive. Much more here, and much more fun than I was expecting. Great for both children and adults.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We travelled quite a distance to visit today with our boys after recommendations. When we first arrived we realised there was a £5 promotion, excellent. But there was some confusion with regards to whether a 'carer ticket' was a promotion and said we couldn't do the £5 offer - this was soon rectified with another member of staff.
When we entered there was alot of hands on interactive areas for the children, and the boys enjoyed them - but other than that we didn't really find much more than the interactive areas.
Food was reasonable, but seating area very small and busy.
We had came to spend an entire day, but unfortunately we struggled to spend more than 2 hours.
But hands on areas very good for children :-)
When we entered there was alot of hands on interactive areas for the children, and the boys enjoyed them - but other than that we didn't really find much more than the interactive areas.
Food was reasonable, but seating area very small and busy.
We had came to spend an entire day, but unfortunately we struggled to spend more than 2 hours.
But hands on areas very good for children :-)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
