The Observatory Science Centre
Latest Reviews
As two adults we really enjoyed it (spent 3 hours) but its really for kids. Just as good as the science centre in Bristol. Informative tour of the telscopes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great hands on place. There is so much to do. The staff want to help and our boys (8 and 4) learnt so much without realising it. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. Great value for money and amazing staff. We will be back - many times!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. There is plenty to do for all ages. Ideal for school trips or private parties.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
fantastic inspirational place with talks by people that are passionate about science and interesting with it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went on a wet day thinking we would be there for a couple of hours. Wrong. We were there all day. So much to do and see there from and eight year old to a dinosaur Grandad. The scince talk is a must. He made it interesting and great fun for all. The hands on attractions were educational but so much fun. The children went from one to another absolutely loving it. Lots of parking, toilet facilities were good and the cafe reasonable. We took a picnic and there were lots of tables plus several under cover picnic areas with decking floors. Even the gify shop was good with a selection of pocket money momentos of a great day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A hands-on, interactive museum with plenty for youngsters to operate and good succinct explanations. Probably a bit better for over 8s (but teenagers or even adults are not talked down to). However younger children, who can't read, are more likely just to race from one handle or button to the next. Nevertheless, this does not stop them enjoying themselves; a brilliant family day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
we visited on a open evening when the telescopes were directed at different parts of the sky the highlight was seeing 4 of jupiters moons
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My daughter suggested going here on Mothers day and what a terrific idea that was. I know little of astronomy and now know I want to know more. This place is so interactive with all sorts of things to experiment with,I loved 'building' and creating my own earthquake to knock it down with? The telescopes are amazing, we went during the day and not on an open evening so didn't get to see planets but the free talks and demonstrations really bring this place to life. At around £8 for adults and £5 for children it is a very 'good value' day out and there is lots of space and places to take a picnic etc to keep costs down. I wish Ihad found this sooner, if I had, we would have visited many times over the years. I shall definitely be returning on an open evening in the summer to view those planets
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited this attraction with my family comprising 2 parents, a grandparent, a young Aunt and an 8 and 11 year old while staying with said grandparent in Kent.
Everyone had a really good time. There is a plethora of science based attractions to interact with both inside and out. All ages were catered for! There is also the added interest of short but informative and mind boggling space talks in two different observatories.
There is really plenty to do and when we visited in the summer holidays there was even an added science show demo. And this is included in the entrance price.
There's plenty of space to picnic and also a very good cafe with great homemade cakes and hearty portions of baked potatoes etc.
The staff were all friendly and knowledgeable too.
Great shop with a variety of science-related toys, games, books and posters in a range of prices.
Really recommend a visit as it has so much to offer, (as much as some of the more child-orientated bits of the Science Museum) yet the scale of it means that your children can look around the site without you having to be right behind them all the time.
Everyone had a really good time. There is a plethora of science based attractions to interact with both inside and out. All ages were catered for! There is also the added interest of short but informative and mind boggling space talks in two different observatories.
There is really plenty to do and when we visited in the summer holidays there was even an added science show demo. And this is included in the entrance price.
There's plenty of space to picnic and also a very good cafe with great homemade cakes and hearty portions of baked potatoes etc.
The staff were all friendly and knowledgeable too.
Great shop with a variety of science-related toys, games, books and posters in a range of prices.
Really recommend a visit as it has so much to offer, (as much as some of the more child-orientated bits of the Science Museum) yet the scale of it means that your children can look around the site without you having to be right behind them all the time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting and all the questions we had were answered
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
cool place lots to do kids loved it will go again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Much better than you expect as you roll up to the site. A good place to take 8 to 12 year olds as they make a real effort to grab young peoples interest.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was really excellent. Lots of hands on things for the kids to do which kept them very entertained. There were so many experiments you could do - it felt like one enormous playground! However, every time the kids were learning something (and so were we!). We also did the telescope tour as son is very interested. Again, it was very good.
I thought it might be too grown up for our daughter - 4 - but she'd loved it too.
I thought it might be too grown up for our daughter - 4 - but she'd loved it too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Situated in close to Eastbourne in the South Downs, the former Royal Astronomical Society's main observatory has for decades been a wonderful place of learning where kids and adults alike can spend hour after hour trying to understand a mass of experiments. The place keeps expanding, now encompassing a new water-related ground outside of the main building which I didn't remember from former visits. And, for anyone interested in astronomy, the old telescopes are really a sight to see. You usually don't get so close to these.
We visited with 5 kids aged 1,5,9,12 and 16 and they all had a very good time. Concerning time, don't underestimate how long you might spend there.
One remark: please carefully read the homepage's advice on finding the facility. It really, really is a hidden place.
One comment on the service: our youngest son fell unluckily and got himself a bloody nose. Everyone was really helpful and friendly dealing with this emergency. Thank you very much.
We visited with 5 kids aged 1,5,9,12 and 16 and they all had a very good time. Concerning time, don't underestimate how long you might spend there.
One remark: please carefully read the homepage's advice on finding the facility. It really, really is a hidden place.
One comment on the service: our youngest son fell unluckily and got himself a bloody nose. Everyone was really helpful and friendly dealing with this emergency. Thank you very much.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really interesting day for all the family. If you are really lucky then visit when the Medievel Festival is on on at the castle!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have wanted to come see this place for ages, so when hubby and I decided to go away for a couple days, I booked a hotel near enough to be able to visit.
We dont have satnav, so relying on online route finders, it was very easy to find. Plenty of parking and as we got there fairly early, we parked right near the entrance. Fee wasnt too bad, you have to go through their gift shop to get into the site. The displays and exhibits start as soon as you are out the doors with a giant lens to your right.
We are both in our 50's but had an amazing time at the Observatory. there are lots of hands on exhibits and plenty to read so we stayed here quite some time. Throughout the day the staff put on displays which are fun and make you wish you were younger so you can join in too!
I found it very interesting to read the information boards about the history of the site. If you get the chance try out the whispering dishes - they do work!!
We dont have satnav, so relying on online route finders, it was very easy to find. Plenty of parking and as we got there fairly early, we parked right near the entrance. Fee wasnt too bad, you have to go through their gift shop to get into the site. The displays and exhibits start as soon as you are out the doors with a giant lens to your right.
We are both in our 50's but had an amazing time at the Observatory. there are lots of hands on exhibits and plenty to read so we stayed here quite some time. Throughout the day the staff put on displays which are fun and make you wish you were younger so you can join in too!
I found it very interesting to read the information boards about the history of the site. If you get the chance try out the whispering dishes - they do work!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went here today with my wife and our two sons, aged 8 and 6. The free car park is close to the entrance and the admission charges are reasonable. There is one main building and approximately 7 domes in the same area. You can look inside three of the domes and see the incredible telescopes which are more than 100 years old and in full working order, but you can only look through them when it is dark. They offer free telescope tours at 12 noon and 2pm but unfortunately we missed both of them.
We were amazed by the number of hand-on scientific experiments and displays that they have, about 100 in total. Some are high tech electronic devices and others are old fashioned traditional gadgets. Most of them are inside but there are quite a few large interactive displays outside too, which double up as a playground too. There are picnic tables outside, and a covered picnic area as well, and a small cafe inside.
We were fascinated by a vacuum forming machine where you pay £1 to have your own choice of lettering formed into a sign as a souvenir. There is a very good gift shop, stocked with an excellent selection of astronomical items.
We spent 4 and a half hours here, we all had loads of fun. The telescopes will appeal mainly to adults but our two boys preferred all the other attractions. I would certainly recommend a trip here, especially if you have children aged 5 - 12 yrs, they will love it!
We were amazed by the number of hand-on scientific experiments and displays that they have, about 100 in total. Some are high tech electronic devices and others are old fashioned traditional gadgets. Most of them are inside but there are quite a few large interactive displays outside too, which double up as a playground too. There are picnic tables outside, and a covered picnic area as well, and a small cafe inside.
We were fascinated by a vacuum forming machine where you pay £1 to have your own choice of lettering formed into a sign as a souvenir. There is a very good gift shop, stocked with an excellent selection of astronomical items.
We spent 4 and a half hours here, we all had loads of fun. The telescopes will appeal mainly to adults but our two boys preferred all the other attractions. I would certainly recommend a trip here, especially if you have children aged 5 - 12 yrs, they will love it!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First thing do not set your satnav for the postcode on the website, takes you through some narrow lanes and too the back gate. Common mistake as there is even a notice advising you are in the wrong place. Either set manually or try and find the castle on your satnav and just use the road signs when your close.
Now thats over with, this place has lots of practical hands and body on exhibits, great fun with kids. Some are outside in the discovery park and others are inside. Taught us adults a few tings as well. Also they put on shows covering things like materials which are a bit cheesy but fun all the same.
We had one very reluctant son (not cool) and another keen as mustard to go, but after a few minutes both where running around having fun.
Probably best with at least dry weather. Free parking and plenty of areas to have your own lunch. Small cafe on site if that is your thing.
Now thats over with, this place has lots of practical hands and body on exhibits, great fun with kids. Some are outside in the discovery park and others are inside. Taught us adults a few tings as well. Also they put on shows covering things like materials which are a bit cheesy but fun all the same.
We had one very reluctant son (not cool) and another keen as mustard to go, but after a few minutes both where running around having fun.
Probably best with at least dry weather. Free parking and plenty of areas to have your own lunch. Small cafe on site if that is your thing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
