The Observatory Science Centre
Latest Reviews
Lots of hands on exploration, also the tour is a must! We were able to see the doors open in one of the observatories. Great day out, would also be great for kids.
Source: google.com
The place is nice. Staff are not very friendly.
Source: google.com
Great, apart from overcrowding due to a holiday group of children taking over the place.
Source: google.com
Great place for inquisitive minds, lots of little activities to do that get the kids asking questions, and a water play area that the younger ones can have great fun with.
All the staff were very helpful and answered every question the kids had about space and the planets.
Only criticism is that the cafe is expensive and not a lot of choice, so bring your own packed lunch.
All the staff were very helpful and answered every question the kids had about space and the planets.
Only criticism is that the cafe is expensive and not a lot of choice, so bring your own packed lunch.
Source: google.com
Done the night tour with my 5 year old daughter and it was simply amazing
Source: google.com
Great for kids on a rainy day
Source: google.com
Ideal for kids. You can whizz round in an hour or so and there are plenty of things to play with.
Source: google.com
An unassuming point in the middle of Sussex and a great day out for kids.
Source: google.com
Awesome place, tons of "hands on" for the children and activities - we did a rocket class. The telescopes are fascinating too!
Source: google.com
Visited The Observatory Science Centre in half term. Really wasn't expecting much but it was an absolutely fantastic day out for me and my son. The talks on space were pitched perfectly and really interesting for both of us. The mix of installations you can interact with is really outstanding. We literally couldn't get round everything in one day. Great value for money and so much more relaxing than going to London to the Science Museum. Big thumbs up from us!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Booked this place to celebrate our kids birthday party. The staff were happy to assist to cater our requirements. Nothing was too much for them. Our kids and their army of friends throughly enjoyed their time. Good value for money, plenty to see and play. I would recommend to any parent if you are considering to book an occasion.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A friend and I chose here to go to for her birthday. What a fabulous day we had. She is also in a wheel chair so we were a little concerned about access. We needn't have worried. Access was good. We were both able to play (40+ and having more fun than the kids). Every single member of staff that we met were friendly and helpful. We will certainly be going again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really enjoyed ourselves here. Brought my inner child out. And the fascinating tour around the telescopes. The cafe could do with some work but all in all a good day :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went on a nice sunny day which was helpful as there is as much practical experimental stuff outside as inside. Our three kids, 5, 7 and 10 really enjoyed it all and were welcomed, guided, fed and entranced by welcoming staff despite it being a busy half-term. A shame that our joint ticket with the Castle Gardens ended up with us being stopped by security, then ignored by staff and pointed by signs into a dull garden with almost no information, let alone felt welcome at the castle itself. That joint ticket is a waste if you have children and the Castle Garden is, to my mind, nowhere near of a standard to welcome visitors, let alone at the prices charged. Thank goodness the Observatory was a big hit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hubby and I went here not quite knowing what to expect and were bowled over by the place. Loads of hands on experiments which we enjoyed doing, although it was a bit annoying being elbowed out of the way by children with a sense of entitlement and under no parental control at times.
The talks in the domes were very good, clear and entertaining. We decided at the last moment to attend the Destination Space one just before going home and it taught me more about Forces than I ever remember learning at school, and in a way that will stick in my mind.
The cafe was very reasonably priced and the shop well stocked with well chosen and good value goods.
The talks in the domes were very good, clear and entertaining. We decided at the last moment to attend the Destination Space one just before going home and it taught me more about Forces than I ever remember learning at school, and in a way that will stick in my mind.
The cafe was very reasonably priced and the shop well stocked with well chosen and good value goods.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On arrival it looks a little worn around the edges but ignore that completely because this is somewhere unique. The main attractions are of course the awe inspiring giant telescope buildings which on their own might only interest a limited number of children and adults but the site is also full of interesting and fun hands-on exhibits, both inside and outside, that must surely captivate all but the brain dead! The 30 minute space demonstration lacked all the bells and whistles of the typical theme park but how it benefited from this, enthralling the audience with Blue Peter type demonstrations of burning rocket fuel, the dangers of space debris and how to deal with escaped poo on the Space Station! Later we watched from inside as the telescope dome opened and revolved and our small grandchildren had all their questions answered by the staff all of whom were wonderful. Alton towers this is not but all the better for it. Hurry along with your children before someone spoils it!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Observatory is like nowhere else I've ever been. The "Brown Signs" lead you to a free car park, where it takes no time at all to enter the shop to pay the entrance fee. For myself, a senior citizen & my 12 year old grandson, it cost about £12 to spend all day enjoying ourselves & learning lots! We arrived just in time to join the tour of the obs. towers. We saw the dome open, then turn right around so that the huge telescope would be able to see into the heavens, amazing! The staff were very friendly & helpful with our questions. We then went for lunch so as not to miss the "Science Show". The café was splendid, providing light lunches, nothing over £5. Homemade soup, sandwiches, salads, baked potatoes plus fillings, cakes, fruit, good selection of teas & coffees. Friendly staff & quick service. Then it was off to see the show, about an English astronaut who will be going to the International Space Station, wow! It was interesting, fun & plenty of audience participation, with both children & adults. Afterwards my grandson soon found the interactive outside "games/science equipment". I enjoyed them too. It became chilly so we ventured inside for more interactive things to do. We ended our day in the small shop stocked with books, posters & small items to be bought with pocket money. So ended a busy, thoroughly enjoyable day which I highly recommend for all age groups. If you visit in the autumn do wrap up with warm clothes as the doors are forever opening & closing with children going in & out! Thank you to all the staff who helped to make our day so pleasurable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Interesting exhibits to interact with & also science for learning - all delivered in a fun way. And a great play area which I'd recommend for young & old!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This review is very out of date now but this place really was brilliant, One day having seen the signs i followed with interest, and to my astonishment i found this place in lets face it the middle of nowhere. forget the science museum, if your kids want something different and closer to home then i highly recomend this place.
I loved it so much as a child im going to take my step daughter as soon as i can.
I loved it so much as a child im going to take my step daughter as soon as i can.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a fantastic time at the centre on Saturday night 19/09/2015. The astronomical society on the lawn were fantastic and helpfull hope to come back next time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful observatory now doing a fantastic job of explaining science to children. Plus some of the telescopes are still there and in use.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had my son's 8th birthday here last week. He'd loved it so much from a school visit that he chose it over London Zoo! It was really good value - £10 a head per child for 2.5 hours at the centre with plenty of time to roam around and take part with the various outdoor and indoor science activities, and a tour of one of the telescopes, food and an art activity. They helped me put together gift bags from the centre's shop & I was allowed to bring in my own sweets to supplement them. In the end I was able to do a brilliant party with food & party bags for 8 kids for £100. One girl at the party even told me it was the best day of her life!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting for children of all ages. Four grandparents visited (without children), one of whom's father had been involved in building the Observatory in the 1950s. With varying interest in science, though, the four of us got very different levels of enjoyment from the exhibits!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic interactive experience for adults and kids of all ages .
Lots of things to explore inside and out at this location . I found this an extremely interesting place to visit/explore .
Only negative was the cafe for me ...I was hoping a place like this would have a cafe with some homemade cakes ,food and better coffee . Most things in the cafe are bland and the instant coffee machine disappointing . Very limited space in the cafe and quite depressing decor ,however there is a picnic tent so I,d take my own food in future .
I would let this put me off visiting again though as attraction plenty to explore .
Lots of things to explore inside and out at this location . I found this an extremely interesting place to visit/explore .
Only negative was the cafe for me ...I was hoping a place like this would have a cafe with some homemade cakes ,food and better coffee . Most things in the cafe are bland and the instant coffee machine disappointing . Very limited space in the cafe and quite depressing decor ,however there is a picnic tent so I,d take my own food in future .
I would let this put me off visiting again though as attraction plenty to explore .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had such good time , lots of things to do around , inside lots of science facts ( You can touch , read and make your own experience such as a rocket ) , than watch how high will fly .... playground for kids ( but will recommend for above 6 years )
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
