National Space Centre

The National Space Centre Charity (No. 1078832) has a mission to get people excited about space and help develop the next generation of scientists and engineers. Since opening its doors in 2001, the Centre has continued to develop educational content and curate a world class artefact collection thanks to support from our visitors.

Included in your first visit is an award-winning show from their library (pick the one that suits you best when booking). Explore their interactive galleries, get hands on with science busking, discover the past, present, and future of space exploration, and even blast off on a journey into low Earth orbit.

As you approach the National Space Centre from any route into the City you will catch glimpses of the 42 metre high Rocket Tower. The iconic Rocket Tower at the National Space Centre is home to Blue Streak and Thor Able rockets, as well as the Gagarin Experience, Apollo Lunar Lander and real Moon Rock. The semi-transparent tower, which is clad in high-tech ETFE “pillows”, was designed especially to house the Centre’s largest artefacts. Four exhibition decks tell the story of the Space Race, history of rocketry, and Britain’s Space Race.

Take a tour around Into Space and you will come face-to-face with astronauts, spacesuits and our journey into space.
Walk through the Our Solar System gallery and stop off at Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Take time out of your journey to drive a Martian rover on the red planet, take a bath with Saturn and even see Venus in 3D.

Our Home Plant gallery examines how satellites monitor the health of our planet and play an increasingly important part in modern life.
Explore the wonders of our Universe gallery. Cast your vote on whether or not we are alone, take a trip through a wormhole and watch the Big Bang.
The National Space Centre is home to a world-class artefact collection that tells the past, present and future stories of space exploration and science. However, as a science and discovery centre we also encourage you to get hands-on with science, to enjoy all the interactive elements of our galleries, and enhance your visit with ‘science busking’, talks and workshops thanks to our Discovery team.

From Space Lates, to Film Clubs, Astronaut visits, to Cosmic Valentine’s, and Science Fiction weekends, the National Space Centre has something for everybody to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a family day out in the school holidays, or talks on the latest developments in space, there are a world of choices for you to discover at the National Space Centre.