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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

National Space Centre Leicester - any good?

16 replies

IlanaK · 27/04/2009 20:54

I will be in Leicester for a weekend for a conference in June and my dh and kids (8 and 5) will accompany. He needs to keep them occupied for a day on the Saturday. I was told this is the place to go, but it is hugely expensive. Is it worth the money and is it good for young ones?

Is there anything else worth going to instead? We are stayign at the Travelodge central and will have no car so need to take buses.

Thanks!

OP posts:
ChasingSquirrels · 28/04/2009 01:09

We went a few months ago (with 2 x 6yo and a 4yo), all enjoyed it but flagged a bit by the end - I would think it is more suited to a bit older kids, the 6yo's were ok but the 4yo was a bit young. Yours should be ok.

Do you have clubcard vouchers? If so exchange for deals and use these to get in.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 29/04/2009 12:05

It is good, I've been twice with DD when she was 5 and when she was 7. She really liked it.

There is also a free museum in the middle of Leicester which is very good. Its like a mini Natural History museum - dinosaur skeletons, stuffed animal bit, Egyption bit, fossil bit, etc. Lots of hands on stuff and interesting educational stuff about exhibits. Can't remember the name of it but am sure google would find it. Its a 2 min walk from city centre.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 29/04/2009 12:06

Space place probably better by the way, but other place still great and free.

cuppateaplease · 29/04/2009 13:19

DS enjoyed it -we been there twice when on hols in that area! There is also a pumping station museum opposite thats worth a quick look round, after the space centre, which has free entry

nannynick · 29/04/2009 18:59

I second the suggestion of Abbey Pumping Station. I took a child to the space centre a few years back and the best part of the trip for him, was a visit to the pumping station next door and flushing fake poo down the toilet!
Abbey Pumping Station Open 11-4.30 Feb-Oct.

claireybee · 29/04/2009 19:03

I really enjoyed it when I went but I was hugely pregnant and it completely knackered me.

My sister used to do the presentation bit in the show.

nannynick · 29/04/2009 19:11

There are quite a few parks in the area as well - Abbey Park I think is the closest to the Central Travelodge. Map
Looking at the Bus map, seems like quite a few bus routes go along Abbey Park Road.

Hulababy · 29/04/2009 19:14

If the weather is nice, is Conkers too far away? Really good day out.

Pinktastic · 29/04/2009 19:15

Have always lived in Leicestershire and we thought it was about time we visited the Space centre, as it is virtually on our doorstep, so went during the Easter hols.

DD (7) really enjoyed it. DS (4) was a bit too young to join in with a lot of the activities but still had a good day. I thought it was a bit expensive but most places cost a fortune nowdays anyway.

I would advise to prebook your tickets online as we queued for 1 hour to get in and buy our tickets. It may have been because it was school holiday time - I don't have experience of weekend or term time.

choufleur · 29/04/2009 19:17

pumping station is great, and next to the space centre. also second Abbey Park, the New Walk Museum and Newarke Houses museum. Belgrave Hall is nice too. There's a little farm park a short bus ride from the centre. Gorse Hill Farm Park

Pinktastic · 29/04/2009 19:20

choufleur - I second Gorse Hill Farm, we are regular visitors and it is entry by donation. If the weather is good then there is a picnic area and an outdoor play area for the DCs.

girlandboy · 29/04/2009 19:25

I live in Leicester.

The museum mentioned is the New Walk Museum and the Jewry Wall Museum is good too. here's the link

The space centre is good, but for older children probably. When ds was smaller he got a bit bored, but he's ok now (he's 8). There's a lot to see, but there is an awful lot of stuff that needs to be read to get the most out of it, which may bore little ones.

Original poster
IlanaK · 02/05/2009 21:07

Thanks everyone - I only just came back to this and was so suprised to see all the ideas. I have looked at the Space centre again and decided against it. It is just too expensive and since we go to the Science Museum in London all the time which is free, I just can't justify the expense. The New Walk museum looks excellent and we will definately do that. And the parks look good too,

Anyone know how much buses cost? And if you pay for kids?

Thanks!

OP posts:
TheProvincialLady · 02/05/2009 21:11

Yes you do pay bus fare for children and they aren't especially cheap - around £1.50 - £1.80 per journey. And there are two bus companies so sometimes you need to catch two buses to get somewhere and can't take advantage of day tickets (about £3.30).

New Walk museum is quite good I agree, and New Walk itself is very pleasant. And only 5 minutes walk from the city centre where there are some ok places to eat out.

random · 02/05/2009 21:13

Kids under 5 free on buses...first bus do family day tickets for £7 ...arriva do family day tickets for £8

Original poster
IlanaK · 02/05/2009 21:18

God - makes me thankful for living in London where kids under 16 are free and adult bus tickets are only a pound!

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