Retro Computer Museum
ENTRY
from £5
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Leicester
What it’s like
A hands-on trip through gaming history where the kids actually play the old Spectrums, Commodores and arcade machines rather than just look at them.
This is a museum you touch. The whole point is that the Sinclair Spectrums, Commodore 64s, NES and MegaDrive consoles on show are switched on and playable, not roped off behind glass, so you can hand a controller to a kid who's never seen a joystick like it and let them work out why you went on about these games for years. There are arcade machines to have a go on too, plus rarer stuff like the Virtuality VR systems and a CD1200, which is the bit worth saving for the end because it tends to be the one that gets the "whoa".
It's open weekends only, 10am to 3.30pm, and they say to book ahead rather than just turning up. A family of two adults and two kids works out at £24 on the group ticket, which beats paying separately, and under-4s get in free anyway. Budget a couple of hours, maybe more if your kids get properly stuck into the software library or start reading through the old publications they keep on site.
There's free parking on site, which is one less thing to think about, and the gift shop does hot and cold drinks plus snacks if you need to refuel halfway round. The place is wheelchair accessible too. It occasionally opens on bank holidays outside the normal weekend slot, so that's worth a look if a Saturday doesn't fit.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Ample free onsite parking
- How long to allow
- A couple of hours or longer
- Food
- Hot and cold beverages, food and snacks available in gift shop
- Booking is required, this isn't a walk-in museum
- Only open Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 3.30pm, plus occasional bank holidays
- The group ticket at £24 is the better deal if there are two adults and two kids
- Save the Virtuality VR and CD1200 exhibits for later in the visit, they're the standout rare pieces
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£8.50 for an adult and £5 for a child aged 4 to 15, with under-4s free. A group ticket covering two adults and two kids is £24, which works out cheaper than buying separately.
Do we need to book ahead?
Booking is required rather than just showing up on the day.
What days is it open?
Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 3.30pm. It also opens on some bank holidays outside that.
How long should we plan for?
A couple of hours covers it comfortably, longer if the kids get into the software library or want to play through several consoles.
Is there parking?
Yes, and it's free and on site.
What can the kids actually do there?
Play classic consoles like the Spectrum, Commodore 64, NES and MegaDrive, have a go on arcade machines, and look through rare items like the Virtuality VR kit.
Is there food available?
The gift shop sells hot and cold drinks along with food and snacks.
Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists
MAKE A DAY OF IT
