Kids of all age (and their grown ups too!) will be thoroughly entertained by a day at Winchester Science Centre. On arrival the staff gave us an overview of the centre which is packed full of hands-on experiments to explore. On top of this there are live science demonstrations throughout the day, a fantastic space exploration zone and the planetarium to enjoy.
Winchester Science Centre is a great place to come with the whole family because there are activities to suit all ages. The exhibitions, which are spread over two floors, cover a huge range of scientific worlds and concepts.
On arrival you will discover the huge red rocket that forms the centrepiece of the upstairs area. Alongside this is the sound exploration zone where you can experiment with how sound travels over distances and play on the largest guitar we have ever seen! There are also areas to explore our impact as human beings on the natural world, experiments to discover key scientific concepts like gravity and profiles of scientists to engage with.
My toddler loved that he could have a go at a lot of the activities and my older child learned so much from the exhibits. There are also lots of spaces to play in the centre including an outdoor play area and an indoor soft play structure for children under seven.
The stand-out area, in our opinion, was the space zone which you will find downstairs. Here you can explore the world of space travel and exploration. It’s atmospheric and cutting edge. There was so much to discover here. This zone is perfectly complemented by a visit to the planetarium. This is an upcharge on your ticket but well worth it. We explored the moons of our solar system and all of us learned something new.
We also loved the science shows and demonstrations that happened throughout the day. Downstairs there is the Science Theatre where we watched a show about density (expect some pops and explosions!) This was a very well set up area with space for the children to sit at the front and get a great view of the action.
The live science demonstrations also happened downstairs (with announcements made throughout the centre to let you know when they were going on) and provided some real wow moments in our visit. We saw flammable gas bursting into flames on the presenter’s hand which was an extraordinary sight!
After all that excitement you might be in need of a bite to eat and there are a couple of options at the centre. You can bring a picnic and use their outside tables or the tables downstairs in the centre for this or you can try out their café which we thought was excellent value. The children’s meal deal came with several different items and came in under £5 (Feb 2024). The baked potatoes for adults were very well priced and a very generous size!
We also loved how the centre lives out their values of sustainability and inclusivity throughout. The café is set up to help you minimise food waste and packaging is easy to recycle at the stations provided. There were also ear defenders available for children during the shows and signs throughout the centre to help parents support their child’s needs during their visit. You will also find a sensory map on their website to help you plan your time at the centre including the location of their quiet room if your child needs space to regulate during their visit.
Overall, we were at the centre for around five hours and we could certainly have stayed longer. We thoroughly recommend a visit to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, it is a great place to visit year long and the perfect place to head with the kids whatever the weather. The Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium is open weekends and during the school holidays. As school holiday dates can vary in different areas of the country, check their website in advance when planning a trip.
