MathsCity
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £7.95
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Leeds
What it’s like
Over forty hands-on puzzles and light exhibits, including a climb-inside kaleidoscope and a laser Ring of Fire to beat.
This is a science centre built entirely round maths, but don't let that put you off, it's forty-plus exhibits you actually get your hands on rather than read a label next to. Kids climb inside a giant bubble, step into a kaleidoscope, and there's a laser Ring of Fire that gets competitive fast. It's the sort of place where the puzzles sneak the learning in while everyone's just trying to beat the exhibit next to them.
There's no time limit once you're in, and the site reckons most visits land around an hour and twenty minutes, though your ticket lets you go back in and out again on the same day if the kids want a break. Booking's in 30-minute slots and you can turn up up to 20 minutes late and still get in if there's space, which takes the pressure off if the tram's running late. Under-14s need an adult with them throughout, so this isn't a drop-and-go for older kids.
Entry's £9.95 for an adult and £7.95 for a child or concession, which adds up for a family of four but under-3s go free. It's fully indoors, wheelchair accessible bar two exhibits, and there's an accessible toilet on site. Parking's not right outside, Granary Wharf or Q Park Sovereign Square are your options, though if you're coming by train it's just across the canal from Leeds station.
Given the ages start from nought, it works for a wide spread of kids, but the exhibits will land best once they're old enough to actually engage with a puzzle rather than just press buttons.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Roughly 4 to 12, once kids can actually get stuck into a puzzle
- Booking
- 30-minute booking slots. Can arrive up to 20 minutes after booked time
- Parking
- Granary Wharf Park (nearest) or Q Park Sovereign Square (larger)
- How long to allow
- 1 hour 20 minutes typically
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible to wheelchair users
- Getting there by bus or train
- Just across the canal from Leeds train station
- Worth knowing
- Children under 3 years are free
- Arriving late is fine within reason, up to 20 minutes past your slot if there's space
- Your ticket allows multiple entry on the same date, so you can nip out and come back
- It's just across the canal from Leeds train station if you're not driving in
- Under-14s must have an adult with them throughout, no leaving teenagers to it
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9.95 for an adult, £7.95 for a child or concession. Under-3s get in free.
Do we need to book?
Yes, it's 30-minute booking slots. You can arrive up to 20 minutes after your slot and still get in if there's room.
How long do people stay?
Most visits run about an hour and twenty minutes, but there's no actual time limit and your ticket lets you go back in later the same day.
Is it OK for a toddler?
Ages start from nought and under-3s are free, but with forty-plus hands-on exhibits it'll suit kids old enough to engage with a puzzle rather than just touch things.
Do older children need an adult with them?
Anyone under 14 has to be accompanied by an adult the whole visit.
Is there parking?
Nothing right outside, but Granary Wharf Park is nearest, with Q Park Sovereign Square as a bigger option nearby.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
It's built to be accessible and only two of the exhibits can't be fully used from a wheelchair. There's an accessible toilet on site too.
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