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National Space Centre

About

National Space Centre

The award-winning National Space Centre is an out of this world experience for the whole family. Home to the UK’s largest planetarium, the Centre has six interactive galleries, iconic Rocket Tower and hosts events throughout the year.

The award-winning National Space Centre is an out of this world experience for the whole family!

With six interactive galleries, the UK’s largest planetarium, immersive Tetrastar Spaceport experience and iconic 42m high Rocket Tower, there really is something for everybody to enjoy. Add to this on-site parking, café, shop and all the facilities you would expect from a world class attraction and you have an all-weather day out in Leicester, at the heart of the UK.

The rocket tower is pretty impressive for people of all ages, as it towers 42m into the air and its semi-transparent “pillow” design can be seen as you approach the Centre from any direction! It is home two rockets: Blue Streak and Thor Able, as well as a Gagarin Experience, Apollo Lunar Lander and real Moon Rock.

If that’s not enough, your entry ticket gets you a free show at the planetarium, which is the largest in the UK and first opened in 2012 by the astronomy hero Sir Patrick Moore. With every show including the latest video technologies, sound and computer animation, you will be fully immersed in a 360 degree fulldome experience.

Each year the National Space Centre hosts many special weekends which in the past have included celebrations of Science Fiction, LEGO and Daleks. School holiday periods are always exciting, as the Centre adds plenty of workshops and talks into the mix, so advanced booking is advised. Don’t forget that if you book in advance then you will guarantee entry and you’ll be able to upgrade to a FREE Annual Pass allowing you to return free of charge. Since there are no booking fees the prices are clear and easy to understand.

The National Space Centre is also a unique venue for a wide range of events including conferences, wedding proposals and Christmas parties. Making the most of the spectacular content and the state-of-the-art building, including the UK’s largest planetarium, the Centre offers a wide range of dynamic venue space for conferences, meetings, team building, parties and private functions.

A day out at The National Space Centre is a truly out of this world experience and bound to work up an appetite. Why not stop off at Booster’s Café for freshly made sandwiches, warm nachos with fresh chilli, cheese and salsa as well as gourmet hot dogs. The Café can also cater to all dietary requirements and offers plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

A visit to the National Space Centre wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Shop to pick up a souvenir as a memento of your journey to outer space. The Shop boasts a full range of fun and interactive space toys, books, games and telescopes.

Add National Space Centre to your Itinerary

Visitor Details

Key Information

Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS

Tel: +44 (0)116 2610261

Opening Times

Opening hours - term time (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Friday10:00 - 16:00
Saturday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00
Opening hours - school holidays (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00

* The Centre is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Please check the website before any visit to ensure we are open prior to travel.

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Thursday, 18 April 2024 - Thursday, 18 April 2024

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Map & Directions

Facilities

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  • Uncover the story - Leicester can claim to be the UK’s Space city and an out of this world experience awaits at the multi-award-winning National Space Centre. Visitors can explore six galleries crammed full of rockets, satellites and meteorites, take in a show at the UK’s largest domed planetarium, and ascend the iconic rocket tower. <hr> In the Welcome Hall visitors will discover a display of world-famous spacesuits. These include the Sokol Suit worn by UK-born ESA astronaut Tim Peake, an EVA spacesuit worn by Matt Damon in the hit movie The Martian and Buzz Aldrin's Constant Wear Garment (space underpants!) worn during training for the historic Apollo 11 mission.<hr> These objects and many others tell the story of past, present and future space exploration with hands-on galleries which take visitors on a journey from Earth, through our Solar System and out into the known, and unknown, Universe.<hr> The 42-metre-high Rocket Tower that houses the Centre’s rocket collection is one of the Leicester skyline’s most iconic additions. The Into Space gallery enables you to walk through a recreation of the Columbus Modules from the International Space Station while providing the answer to every 5 (and 50) year old’s question - “how on earth do you go to the toilet in space?”<hr> But what makes Leicester the place for space? The city has been one of the most active cities for space research in the world for more than 60 years. Thanks to physicists and space researchers at the University of Leicester, a Leicester-built instrument has been operating in space every year since 1967.<hr> Over 300,000 space enthusiasts from across the world visit the Centre every year. That one giant leap into space is just one small step away for you in Leicester. <hr>

Accreditations & Awards

Awards

  • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

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