Alston Observatory

Name: Alston Observatory
Address: Alston Ln, Preston, PR3 3BP, GB

PrestonUp to age 14

Courtesy of Alston Observatory

BEST FOR

Up to age 14

WHERE

Preston

What it’s like

A planetarium dome show and a proper Victorian telescope, but every visit has to be booked ahead.

The main event is a planetarium dome show run on Stellarium software, taking you round the Solar System without needing a clear sky outside. From there you get a look at the Wilfred Hall Telescope, built in 1894 and still standing as the centrepiece of the place, alongside demonstrations that line it up against 120 years of telescope technology to show how far things have moved on.

The Telescopes as Time Machines exhibit ties it together, walking through how telescopes work and what they've actually let us see of the universe. It's a good fit for kids who like a bit of explaining alongside the looking, up to around 14, and older ones curious about the old kit will probably get as much out of the Wilfred Hall Telescope as the dome show.

The catch is that you can't just turn up. Every visit needs to be booked in advance, so this isn't a rainy-day whim, it's one to plan for.

Facilities

Booking required

Need to know

Best for: Kids up to 14, especially ones keen on space and old machinery

Booking is required for every visit, so this isn't one for a spontaneous trip.
The dome show uses Stellarium software rather than relying on the night sky, so it works regardless of the weather outside.
The Telescopes as Time Machines exhibit is a good one for kids who want the history as well as the science.

Plan your visit

Do we need to book ahead?

Yes, every visit has to be pre-booked. There's no walking in on the day.

What age is it suitable for?

It suits kids up to around 14.

What do kids actually do there?

They watch a planetarium dome show that tours the Solar System, see the 1894 Wilfred Hall Telescope, and go through an exhibit comparing old and new telescope technology.