The National Space Centre in Leicester boasts everything to do with space from a 3D simulator ride to a full-dome planetarium. Mark Hughes-Morgan find the centre is out of this world…
Great for kids: Visitors can get close to the planets
WHY BOLDLY GO? A whopping collection of galleries, shows, seminars and interactive stuff dedicated to all things cosmic (it’s Britain’s largest space centre).
I’M A ROCKET MAAAN. Then you’ll love it here: the first thing you see is a 42m-high rocket tower, with two rockets attached. They like big here – the Space Theatre is the largest full-dome planetarium in the country.
If you want to have a go, there are exhibits on three decks of one of the rockets. Project Apollo commemorates 40 years since the first Moon landing – it includes the Lunar Lander, which gives you a hands-on taste of parking Moon-style.
OVERLOAD, OVERLOAD… There are six interactive galleries, 150 challenges, a 3D-simulator ride to the ice moon Europa, a Nasa air-jet chair to manoeuvre, a Moon rock to mine against the clock…
READY TO LAUNCH? The Xmas Files runs from December 19 to 31, including Santa Science, a workshop in the dome which explains just how Mr Claus navigates the world. Includes a Q&A session (try: ‘What do Martians want for Christmas?’).
THAT’S WHAT I CALL ZERO GRAVITY! OK, Brains, there are three new holographic exhibits in the Space Now gallery launching on December 16 exploring: Are We Alone?, Higgs Boson and the origins of the universe, and Dark Matter – The Missing Universe. There is an astronomy show in the Space Theatre narrated by David ‘Dr Who’ Tennant.
True experience: Go to infinity and beyond at the Space Centre
IS THIS THE FINAL FRONTIER? Negative. Stay, Play, Explore is a joint venture with Bosworth, Twycross Zoo, the National Forest, Snibston Discovery Park and three local hotels (Holiday Inn, Marriott and Barcelo). A £99 ticket admits a family (two under-14s) to three out of five attractions and an overnight stay.
AGE RANGE? To infinity and beyond! Something for everyone – though children from seven up to teenage and cosmic adults will be particularly well served, the centre will appeal to anyone with a brain.
DETAILS: Adults £12.72, children (five to 16, and concessions) £10.77, under-fives free, family of four £39.87. Gift Aid your ticket for a free annual pass.
Travel facts
The National Space Centre is in Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NS. 0116 261 0261, spacecentre.co.uk.
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