National space centre, Leicester

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Has anyone been, if so what can we expect. I'm thinking about visiting with ds10. TIA

Lots of hands on stuff. Can't remember exactly what but they were fun.

We went went dd was 4 and she was a bit young for a lot of it but she still loved it.

Quite interesting stuff about space facts and planets.

A mock up of a shuttle or something that you can walk in.

Really good cinema showing some sort of space film. You kind of recline back and look at the stars on the ceiling.

We keep meaning to go back, infact dd asked this week if we can go soon.

Thanks for that, ds's class are doing a project on space this term , sounds like it'll be an interesting place to visit, And I can use my Tesco vouchers!

I seem to remember the cafe being crap, take a pack up.

Well worth a trip. Fun film (30 mins or so), different parts of the place on space, planets, exploration, etc. Plenty of hands on stuff....and huge rockets in the atrium. In the Autumn last year they were running a promotion if you sign a gift aid form (no cost to you), your ticket becomes a year pass - bargain!!!

Also, allow an hour or so to go to the free Abbey Pumping Station right next to it - steam engines, trams and (despite sounding grim) a cutaway flushing loo and drains is a real hit with the kids! Info here and here. If you are going this month, it may not be open - I think it is shut Dec/Jan and reopens Feb. A quick phone call should sort that out.

Have fun

DH is the manager there.They have just had a Dr Who exhibition & he took the dd's in for a private viewing before the centre opened to everyone else.They were chuffed to bits.

I'll let dh know about the cafe,Stripey.He takes great pride in sourcing local produce & having it cooked by the chefs on site.What didn't you like about it?

I have to say that I've never been on a proper day out there,but I gave my friend some tickets & she raved about it for ages.She said she spent 5 hours there & was really impressed.

FG - I seem to remember thinking there wasn't much choice and people were using the cafe as a walkthrough to get from one place to the other which was a pita. Dunno if its still in the same location but its all very open plan with a few barriers dotted about that people were squeezing past. We couldn't find anything dd would eat and had to feed her crisps. She was 5 at the time and not really any more fussy than the average 5yo. This was 3 years ago though so maybe better now?

Hmm,dh & I were discussing the crisps thing last week.He said that they do a range of sanwiches,homemade soups,organic juices ect,but people overwhelmingly seem go for fizzy drinks & crisps.He thinks it is possibly because it is a 'day out'and people want to give treats rather than ordinary stuff.

I only really pop in to see dh & don't go in the cafe,but will ask him if it has improved & put your points across.He is always trying to improve things & having 2 small dd's knows what a pita it can be finding suitabl;e,reasonably priced food on days out.In fact,if we ever go out to any other tourist attraction,he always scrutinizes the catering/ticketing/customer service to see if he can learn anything.

Well I think we're planning to go back in the next couple of months so when we've been again I will reserect this thread and give any points I can think of

Yes,please do.He will appreciate it!

I went with boys aged 9, 9, 7 and 5. To be honest it was a bit old for the little ones - lots of written info that they couldnt read - but the older two found it fun and interesting. Like all these interactive things its very <span class="italic">noisy</span> (sorry FuriousGeorge) and I was relieved to get outside for some peace! Didnt try the cafe...we took packed lunch and ate it in a hangar type room which was grim. But in good weather you`d go outside to picnic.

It's perfect for a 10 year old. Its' much more suitable for children who can read, but even my 2 non readers enjoy it. I like the cafe...from what I remember it's under the rocket. Very cool. Is the cimema bit really good? DS! has always been too sacred to go in.

I've got my Tesco vouchers for we are all set for a visit during 1/2 term, We'll give the cafe a go and I'll report back.

We went a few years ago, with children aged between 4 and 10 )not all mine, I hasten to add!!). They all really enjoyed it, although the youngest raced past a lot of the written info and we had to keep bringing him back so the ohters could look properly. We didn't use the cafe but it seemed vey crowded and your typical crisps and chocolate etc.

We went a few years ago and my boys (6 and 8 at the time) absolutely adored every minute, and we were there for about 5 hours I think. Bearing in mind this was towards the end of a whistle stop tour around UK visiting friends, Legoland, etc. I was surprised they had the energy to enjoy it.

They were absolutely captivated - fantastic displays and staff and presentation of information. The boys would love to go back, but it's a long way for us from here and not really en route anywhere!

A quick update, we had a great time. We were there for 5 hours, loads of hands on stuff for ds(10) and lots of info type things for me & dd(13). There's a flight simulator and a planetarium type film. There's a video of the first moon landing....I can remember watching it all those years ago!
Cafe was great, nice sandwiches & bowls of noodles, cous cous.Soup smelt nice. Even childrens sandwiches...marmite, dairylea, peanut butter. Really nice cakes & muffins. The carrot cake was lovely!

I tae it all back