Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium
BEST FOR
Ages 3-12
ENTRY
from £24.75
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Two floors of hands-on science exhibits, a planetarium show and outdoor Play Wild exhibits, with explosive live demos thrown in.
This is a proper day out for a curious kid, not a quick stop. Two floors of interactive exhibits, a planetarium show that's included in the ticket, and free Science Theatre demonstrations that go big on bangs and explosions. There's also Play Wild, the outdoor exhibits, for when you want the kids somewhere less enclosed. Most people report spending around four hours here, and once your time slot gets you in the door, you're free to stay all day.
The ticket price stings a bit at £24.75 for anyone aged 3 to 16 (under-3s go free), but that's everything included, not an add-on for the planetarium or theatre shows. If you think you'll be back within the year, the annual membership at £78.75 is worth a look, and you can upgrade on the day and get your entry fee back. Booking is required, with entry slots running from 9.30am to 2pm, so turning up on spec without a slot booked is a gamble.
Two cafés cover food: The Hub Café upstairs, which gets properly noisy on busy days, and the quieter Hut Café downstairs if you want to escape the din. Both do the usual sandwiches, jacket potatoes and cakes. Worth knowing that children under 14 need an adult with them throughout, so this isn't one where an older kid can peel off on their own for an hour.
If a full-on crowd isn't your thing, the first hour after opening and the window from 3pm to 5pm are quieter, with shorter queues for the shows. There's a sensory room and quiet sessions for autistic visitors, plus a sensory backpack you can book ahead, and a Changing Places facility on the lower floor that's actually accessible 24 hours a day via an outside door.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 12, with under-14s needing an adult close by
- Booking
- Book online in advance. You can even book on the day of your visit if there's space
- Parking
- Dedicated private car park for Science Centre visitors
- How long to allow
- Four hours or more
- Food
- Two cafés on site: The Hub Café (upper level, can be noisy) and The Hut Café (lower floor, quieter)
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair hire available by advance booking from access@winchestersciencecentre.org
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcome. Water and poo bags available at reception
- Parties
- Birthday parties available with hands-on exhibits, Planetarium show and live science experiences
- Worth knowing
- Annual membership includes free entry for 12 months and 10% discount on café purchases
- Under-14s must be supervised by an adult throughout, so it's not a drop-and-browse visit for older kids
- Some Science Theatre shows go big on loud bangs, worth knowing if noise is a worry
- You can upgrade to annual membership on the day and get your ticket price refunded
- Entry slots run 9.30am to 2pm but once inside you can stay all day
- Closed 24th, 25th and 26th December
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£24.75 for adults and children aged 3 to 16. Under-3s go in free.
Do we need to book?
Booking's required, with entry time slots between 9.30am and 2pm. You can sometimes book on the day if there's space, and once you're in you can stay as long as you like.
How long should we plan for?
Most visitors end up spending around four hours here, so it's a proper half day rather than a quick stop.
Is it good for a toddler?
The stated age range starts at 3, and under-3s get in free, but younger kids under 14 need an adult with them at all times.
What about food?
There are two cafés: the Hub Café upstairs, which can get noisy, and the quieter Hut Café downstairs. Both do drinks, sandwiches, jacket potatoes and cakes.
Is there parking?
Yes, there's a dedicated private car park for visitors with Blue Badge spaces available.
Is it accessible for wheelchair users?
The centre's wheelchair accessible, wheelchair hire can be booked in advance, and spaces are reserved in the planetarium shows. Carers go free with a recognised disability support pass.
What support is there for autistic visitors?
There's a sensory room, quiet sessions, and you can book a sensory backpack ahead of your visit. Autistic visitors skip the queue when it's busy, and mornings and after 3pm are the quieter times.
Do you do birthday parties?
Parties are available with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium show and live science experiences.
When's the best time to go to avoid crowds?
The first hour after opening or the window between 3pm and 5pm, when the building and shows are less busy.
Are dogs allowed?
Assistance dogs are welcome, with water and poo bags available at reception.
Is there a Changing Places toilet?
There's one on the lower floor, and it's accessible 24 hours a day, even outside opening hours, via a door with a radar key.
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