Science Oxford Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 2-11
ENTRY
from £9.50
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Oxford
What it’s like
Fifteen acres of woodland to explore with a water lab, an air table and a multi-sensory cloud show thrown in.
You get a two-hour timeslot to work through the Exploration Zone, the Water Lab and the woodland trails, and honestly two hours feels tight once you factor in the Cloud Factory show. Kids build a giant magnetic ball run, test flying designs at the Air Table, and dam up the Outdoor Water Lab's water flow, which runs from April to October only, so check the season if that's the bit you're going for. There's an Explorer Backpack for the Nature Trails too, which is a nice slow-down after all the hands-on stuff.
The Cloud Factory show is the one to save for the end of your visit. It's multi-sensory, so there's touching, smelling and even tasting cloud involved, which is a genuinely odd thing to do with a Saturday morning and exactly the sort of detail that sticks with a seven-year-old for weeks. It suits the 2 to 11 range well, with under-3s going free, though the water play means you'll want a change of clothes packed regardless of age.
It's £9.50 a person for the Family Day plus the Cloud Factory show, and booking is essential, not optional, with a cap of 10 tickets per order. Parking is limited and first come first served on weekends, though there's free parking on Quarry Road on Saturdays and some 2-3 hour bays nearby if the on-site spaces are gone. Emira's Kitchen café runs 10am to 4pm on Saturdays with hot drinks, cold drinks and rolls, and picnics are welcome at the indoor or outdoor lunch tables if you'd rather bring your own.
Woodland access closes at 4:30pm, so don't leave the outdoor bit for the last half hour of your slot. Worth noting too that site improvement works are ongoing, which can affect parking and access to parts of the woodland on the day.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 2 to 11, with a science club running specifically for 5 to 9 year olds
- Last entry
- 4:30pm for woodland access
- Booking
- Pre-booking essential. Maximum 10 tickets per order, group bookings available by contacting centre
- Parking
- Limited availability on weekends on first come first serve basis, plus unrestricted free parking on Quarry Road on Saturdays
- Food
- Emira's Kitchen visitor café open Saturdays 10am-4pm with hot and cold drinks, snacks and rolls
- Picnics
- Allowed at indoor or outdoor lunch tables
- Wheelchairs
- Contact centre about accessibility needs
- Site improvement works may affect parking and woodland access on the day
- The Cloud Factory show is multi-sensory, so expect smelling and tasting as well as watching
- Only open to the public on Saturdays for Family Days
- Quarry Road offers free Saturday parking if the on-site spaces are full
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9.50 a person for the Family Day and the Cloud Factory show, and under-3s go free.
Do we need to book?
Booking is essential for Family Days, with a maximum of 10 tickets per order. Bigger groups need to contact the centre directly.
What ages is it suitable for?
It's aimed at 2 to 11 year olds, with a Saturday Science Club running for 5 to 9s specifically.
How long do we get?
Each visit is a 2-hour timeslot, and woodland access closes at 4:30pm regardless of when you arrive.
Is there parking?
Parking on site is limited and first come first served at weekends. There's also free parking on Quarry Road on Saturdays plus some 2-3 hour bays nearby.
What about food?
Emira's Kitchen café is open Saturdays 10am to 4pm with hot and cold drinks, snacks and rolls. Picnics are welcome at the indoor or outdoor lunch tables too.
Is the Water Lab always open?
The Outdoor Water Lab only runs April to October, so it will not be running on a winter visit.
Do carers get in free?
One carer gets free entry when accompanying someone they care for. You book this as an add-on option at checkout.
Can we get a refund if plans change?
Tickets can be refunded up to 48 hours before your visit.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The site lists itself as wheelchair accessible, but they ask you to contact them directly about specific accessibility needs.
What if my child has additional needs?
You can email the centre ahead of your visit to talk through how they can support your child.
Should we pack anything specific?
A change of clothes is a good idea, since the Water Lab tends to get children properly wet.
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