Magna Science Adventure Centre

What it’s like

A former steelworks turned science playground, with fire, water and air pavilions plus an outdoor adventure park.

This is a proper industrial building given over to hands-on science. Five pavilions cover Air, Water, Earth, Fire and general science zones, and there's a show called The Big Melt which tells the story of the old steelworks the building used to be. It's noisy and dark in places, which suits some kids down to the ground and overwhelms others, so worth bearing in mind if you've got a child who's sensitive to that sort of thing.

Outside there's Sci-Tek, an adventure playground, and the Water Pavilion has a wet play area where the floor genuinely gets wet, so pack a spare pair of socks or shoes. Under 2s get in free and there's a proper baby change and Changing Places facility, so it works for a wide age range including buggies and wheelchairs, with the whole exhibition described as fully accessible.

Tickets aren't cheap: £18.95 for a child online, £20.95 for an adult, dropping to £9.50 for a 2 to 3 year old. Buy online rather than on the door, where the same tickets jump by a few pounds. The good news is that a full-price ticket comes with a free annual pass for twelve months, so if you think you'll be back it's better value than it first looks.

There's a café for hot food and packed lunches are welcome too, with picnic spots dotted around including outdoor benches. Parking is free with over 200 spaces including disabled bays, and the venue only takes card, not cash, so leave the coins at home.

What’s on here

• SAT24

  Wicked Week at Magna

  8 more dates

  →

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

2 to 15, with under 2s free and toddlers priced separately

Parking

Free on site, over 200 spaces including disabled parking

Food

Refuel Café with light snacks and hearty meals

Picnics

Welcomed in dedicated 'Picnic Place' areas and outdoor picnic benches

Wheelchairs

Completely wheelchair accessible via lifts and walkways

Dogs

No animals allowed. Assistance dogs only

Worth knowing

Annual pass with free entry for twelve months included with all full-priced admission tickets

• It's a cashless venue, so bring a card not coins
• The Water Pavilion floor can get properly wet, pack spare socks
• The building is dark and noisy in parts
• Annual passes aren't transferable, only named people can use them
• A replacement annual pass card costs £5 if lost

Plan your visit

Areas to explore

• Air Pavilion

• Aqua-tek

  outdoors

  Outdoor water play zone, open during summer months only.

• Earth Pavilion

• Fire Pavilion

  Hands-on interactive fire zone, recently refurbished.

• Sci-tek

  outdoors

  Large outdoor adventure playground.

• Water Pavilion

Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists

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