We visited during the Easter holidays with 3 of our grandsons aged 5, 6 and 10. They all loved it. So much to do and 'hands on' everything. They particularly enjoyed the water and activities parks. We also attended one of the talks - on Isaac Newton - which was informative and very entertaining even for the little ones. The entrance fee was very reasonable and it was not crowded so that the children could enjoy everything. Not over commercial with no 'hard sell' or add on costs. Picnics welcomed. I thoroughly recommend this place. Probably best on a dry day as although there is a lot inside, the activity parks are outside.

The range and quality of the hands-on science activities was one of the best I have seen. The large-scale outdoor activities are particularly good. The telescopes in their domes are wonderful to see. The guidebook, and the book of personal recollections of those who worked at the Observatory are fascinating and informative.

Without doubt one of the best hands on places I've been to where there is so much for you and your kids to do and discover. Learning is made fun and with science shows and loads of exhibition I would be very surprise if any of your little one get bored.
We took our 5 and 8 year old and they had a blast. Wonderful experiments to try out and strange and fun just things to play on as well as the observatory to look at. Which in the distance looks like something out of a Star Wars set.
Highly recommend for a family day out and with the castle and garden just around the corner it will suit every needs for a good day out.

Great place to visit, although not so good with young children.... Mine are 6 & 3, & we're a little too young really as some of the things to do were far to complicated for them!!
We will defo be visiting again in a few years time tho!!

Adults and children of all ages can find scientific facts, hands-on and interactive amusement while learning, and presentations that are quite enjoyable in learning. Not to be missed if in the southeast of England.

This was a great day out for half term. We have been meaning to visit for some time.
There is so much hands on Science that are 8 year old absolutely loved it.
The science show was fantastic.
The telescope tour was very interesting but could do with some better photos to show people as the old ones are poorly printed and very hard to see.
We would highly recommend a visit and it was very good value.
The staff were very helpfull and freindly.

We had a superb day here. Arrived at 1030 and left at about 230. Really brilliant for the children with lots of hands on activities. We watched the science show on sound which was brilliant. We also visited two of the observatories with a guide who told us about the telescopes and observatories- very informative. Would really recommend a day out here; fun for adults and children of all ages!

Lots of things for kids to try, buttons to push, things to turn etc., our boys (9 and 5) loved it.

The telescope tour was really good as well, educational and fun.

At £25 for a family of 4, we thought it was good value for money too.

Excellent! Lots of hands on exhibits to keep young and old entertained. Great talks , informative and well pitched to include children and adults. Fantastic use of outdoor space, wrap up warm and enjoy the outdoor learning!

I was so excited to visit. We went with a school trip and the staff at the observatory were great, they made learning fun and got the kids excited. The different science rooms were great I found myself running around like a kid. The outdoor play area is genius a bit jealous I was too big to play. All of the children had a great time and loved going to see the telescopes and dressing up as astronauts and watching the lady do her experiments (a bottle space rocket). Definitely recommend a visit. Will be coming back with my family.

Took 3 children here for one of the half-day workshops. They hadn't been before and enjoyed it so much that they want to come again.

The staff were very friendly and seemed to fit a lot into the 2.5 hours there. All the children came out talking about what they'd learnt, and with things they had made.

We will definitely be coming back.

Only two things I would suggest for improvement:

- tell the parents when booking to bring wellies as they will have to walk on the (waterlogged) grass to get there. We weren't allowed to go via the main entrance which was all paved. Frustrating. We were there 15 mins before the workshop started and being able to go to the loo beforehand and stay on dry ground would have been much appreciated.

- perhaps offer a discounted entry to the museum as part of the workshop fee. If we could have done this, we would probably have had lunch at the cafe (as the workshop finished at 1) and spent money at the gift shop. Alternatively, offer 1 discounted/free adult entry when booking a workshop. I had to amuse myself in the local area for 2.5 hours - I could have gone to the cafe and spent money there instead.

A good day out with kids and grandparents, all the exhibits are interactive, making it all the more interesting, especially for the kids. The observatories themselves are not interactive, but plenty of information to read, they also have 30 minute talks given by volunteers, these can be good depending on who is presenting them. They have a small cafe too, nothing great but acceptable, offering gluten free options, all at very reasonable prices.

There are lots of hands on things to do which my 8 year old loved. The staff are absolutely fantastic and knowledgeable and really enjoy their work. We were there all day and will definitely go back, would like to try the open evenings next!
The science show and telescope tour were very informative and fun.

Lots to see and do during the evening for "children" of all ages - not just the obligatory star/planet gazing.
Cafe could have been cleaner.
Take a torch to get from the car park in the field next door to the observatory.
Volunteers in the domes were patient, friendly & knowledgeable.

This place is fantastic for a family day out. There is lots to see, to interest children. We took children of 5, 7 and 11, and they all found things to amuse them. We also had a lovely walk in the woods to run off a bit energy and found a nice spot for a picnic.

Great for young and old alike. Loads to do and to get involved with. All hands on stuff and the telescopes are magnificent.

Brilliant day out for you and your family

Enjoyed our trip to the observatory, plenty of hands-on sceincey things for the kids to do. A good talk about the observatory too.

Fun and educational for both children and adults. Would highly recommend.

Amazing
This was a great experience

Amazing - lots of hands on activities for a range of ages plus excellent tours of the telescopes.

The Observatory Science Centre is an interactive hands-on science centre operating in the rural location of Herstomceux, in the East Sussex countryside on the former home of The Royal Observatory, Herstmonceux.

Operated as an educational charity, the Centre is open throughout the year seven days a week, from late January to the end of November, then only a handful of weekends in December and the beginning of January for special seasonal events.
The main visitors to the Centre are educational and uniformed groups, but many families and individuals visit during the local school holidays, and independent visitors like the quieter open evenings and special events to explore the Centre.

Special viewing evenings take place (weather permitting ) throughout the autumn and winter months, where visitors can look through the historic telescopes at the night sky. Particular favourites to see are the Moon, the Pleiades cluster and several planets, when they are visible.

The site has a small cafe serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and hand made light lunches, a picnic area and a museum style display in one of its domes offering the history of the site and the RGO.
Daily tours take place throughout the season, with staff on hand to answer questions. For the holiday periods, special Science Shows and demonstrations take place in a space like Geodesic marquee at the rear of the main building.

Opening times vary throughout the season as follows: 10 am - 5 pm (Winter/Autumn) : January / February / March / October / November / December
AND 10 am - 6 pm (Spring/Summer) : April / May / June / July / August / September.

Open Evenings have separate times normally 6:30pm to 11pm but some events do start and run later, with several offering a catered food option. If you are visiting, do check opening and closing times on the website as special events and local weather effects viewing/opening/closing times - particularly if you are traveling a long way to get to the site.

For visitors that use a SATNAV to travel to the Centre, please note that you should NOT USE the Centre's postcode, as this will take you to the wrong entrance and will cause a long detour through the Sussex countryside to get to the site. Please use the main Wartling Road entrance when using SATNAV directions.

Great for adults - as several courses are run for a range of different levels from beginner to advanced throughout the year, plus site tours and viewing on set open evenings (weather permitting).

Great for families - loads of hands on exhibits, water play and a picnic area plus Science shows and tours to keep the family entertained.

Great for groups - The Centre caters for both children and adult birthday party groups, special events and booked tour groups. See the website for more information on how to book and the menus available.

Great for all ages. During the day, there are lots of science orientated activities around the center which can probide an entire day of fun for children and big kids. The observatory also holds open evenings on darker nights for stargazing. On these nights, there are lots of telescopes out pointing at different things in the night sky. They also have their old observatorys open for use by the general public.
I have really enjoyed my visits hera and would like to come back againg in the future to do some more stargazing.

An extremely informative and educational venue, LOADS of hands on for the children, even more so on a good weather day when they can use the outdoor facilities too, highly recommended.

Fantastic educational place for children and adults. Lots to do and see.