National Space Centre Reviews 17

I recently visited Leicester Planetarium and found many aspects to appreciate. The exhibits are engaging, educational, and thoughtfully designed, making it an enjoyable experience for both adults and children. The atmosphere is lively, and it’s clear that a lot of effort has gone into creating an inspiring space for learning about space and science.
However, I would like to share a concern regarding cleanliness. During our visit, the environment felt quite dusty, and visible dust particles were noticeable, especially in crowded areas. There were also cobwebs present, particularly on the third floor, which added to the concern. As someone who is allergic to dust, this triggered my symptoms quite badly, and my baby also experienced some breathing discomfort.
I’m not placing blame on anyone, but I kindly suggest that more attention be given to maintaining cleanliness and air quality. This would make the experience safer and more comfortable, particularly for vulnerable visitors such as young children and those with allergies.

Overall, it is a wonderful place with great potential, and with improved cleanliness, it could provide an even better experience for everyone.

I brought two VIP tickets for 19th Feb 6pm The James Hood Mesmercia 360 Experience and highly regret it, its so expensive for what it was and the graphics were unnatural and quite annoying for me. I was expecting a more natural time travelling show and highly disappointed.
A few days before I received a email to pay for carparking so promptly paid for when we got to the venue and then found out this is not necessary. I asked for a refund but the staff at the front door told me the tills were shut and to email and request to obtain the refund, which I did the next day but no one has bothered to reply.
The show is repeated kaleidoscope array of bright colours and not a natural immersive as the advert suggests.
The chairs are uncomfortable and if you were sat in the middle it is not a 360 as the chairs do not recline and you have to either look up for 45mins again a total rip off for £28 each plus booking fees.
Save your money and time if you prefer more natural experiences!!

Took my young grandchild (3 yrs) but nothing really to interest them. I would suggest a minimum age of 7 yrs - and even then they need to have an interest in learning about space. I agree that it’s tired and dated - no modern technology. The planetarium was a good experience but you have to pay extra after the initial visit.
Although we need places like this to educate our youngsters, this needs a makeover and currently is not good value for money.

I went yesterday and thought the attraction was brilliant.

As a representative of a small community charity based in Stainforth—an area facing significant deprivation and low educational attainment—I was deeply disappointed by our recent experience attempting to arrange a group visit for local children during the October half term.

These children, many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to visit due to financial and logistical barriers, rely on our charity to access enriching educational experiences. Unfortunately, our booking request was declined on the grounds that the venue is "too busy" during half term.

While we understand that this is a peak period, it is disheartening that an organisation with an educational and charitable mission would choose not to accommodate a group of disadvantaged children, especially when term-time visits are not feasible for them. This decision appears to prioritise rich, middle class families who can afford to travel and pay independently, rather than those who genuinely need support.

The museum itself it was alright, but the night sky not worth it. They have started late and finished early. They left us on a cliff hanger because they ran out of time but most of the time the person wasn’t even speaking or moving the screen. It also says +8 years old but they let 2yrs old kids in there and screaming their head off because they were scared.
Not worth it.

Outdated and shabby.
Very tired and run down.
Planetarium graphics are from 2012 again outdated.

Not very well organised. Found it to be all over the place. A lot of money and then to have to pay an extra £4 to park a car on top of the £20 each to get in plus the cost for the grandkids. Cost us over £100. I just can't see how it was worth that much money. Sadly disappointing. Husband very disappointed. He was expecting
a bit more than a few spacesuits and some old rocket bits and pieces. Won't be returning.

I was shocked at the number of school parties that were unsupervised during our visit. Kids were running amok and on one occasion spitting down the stairway. I appreciate the centre is aimed at children and expected that there would be many younger visitors but some of the behaviour was terrible during our visit. I was barged out of the way, stood in front of whilst I was watching the crucial moment of the moon landing and was surprised to find a group of teachers sitting together in the restaurant rejoicing at how quiet it was without the kids. Such a shame as there is lots to see and do and some really interesting and interactive exhibits if you can enjoy them

School trip (so date will be approx to protect). Kids really enjoyed it other than you had too many people in one place many couldn't even see popular stuff. The waits were just silly, regardless of helpful friendly staff. We just seemed to wait a lot, and with energetic ks2 kids - it's not helpful. We found areas to be interesting or just utterly pointless (only areas we could actually get close to). Being staff member responsible with our own health and safety safeguarding I'm on lookout everywhere and how packed you had places at times worried me if a quick evacuation were important. So packed we struggled to hear each other or parts where kids needed to hear part of the exhibition etc. Need think of a way to encourage movement or limit attendees. You knew we were coming, as I would imagine you do most organised schools. It's a shame because we could see the adventure we might have had if you hadn't had what looked like half the country there.

I visited the National Space Centre today 23/08/2023 with my wife and our two granddaughters. I want to give you a big thankyou. Every member of staff I spoke to were very welcoming with a smile and had time to talk with us.

But one member of staff I want to mention was Jess who scanned my phone for the booking. My 9 year old granddaughter Ellie who is autistic was upset by the sounds of the rocket noise taking off, Jess saw that Ellie was panicking, so what Jess did next was truly amazing, she spoke to Ellie with a calm voice and told her not to worry and that she understood what she was going through, Ellie instantly calmed down (It normally takes us some time to settle her down)
Jess said did we want to borrow a pair of ear defenders ? We accepted.
Jess saved the day. She is a credit to you. A true beautiful angel.

Thankyou to you and all your staff for a truly fantastic day.

All the best Steve, Carol , Ellie and Millie

Annual pass holder.Tried to book but it wouldn't recognise my membership number , tried calling and it simply has a voice recorder saying opening hours are 9-5....I'm calling during these hours but can't get through. Have to book 3 days in advance (why??)...but still not managed to get thorugh so guess not going .

Family day out with the 3 little ones. They loved it. Went in summer holidays and was busy in the morning and quietened down after 3. Thought it was well priced as only cost us £55 for the 5 of us (2 little ones under 5 were free). Gift shop was overpriced for some things, but cooked food was reasonable and fresh. Overall a great day out!

Refused to refund tickets for a sold out event with two months notice.

Avoid visiting during Term Term - we went on a Monday morning and there were over 500 school children there. Children won’t be able to enjoy the exhibits or get a chance to go on things.
If you provide this feedback to the NSC they will suggest visiting in the afternoon when school groups have left, weekend or holiday periods. Otherwise could be a good couple of hours visit

Nightmare visit!
Well, OK, the centre is brilliant, but our day was totally marred by the journey to and from the centre, and the mis-information around getting to the Space Centre.
I emailed the enquiry line to ask about bringing a lady with Altzheimer's - I have still not had a reply, so in the event, decided to use the Birstall Park and Ride, which the Space Centre website assured me:-

"The National Space Centre, Abbey Pumping Station and Dock all now have their very own Park and Ride bus stop. ...The stop is on Abbey Lane, opposite ASDA supermarket and just a short walk to the Centre ....."

It is NOT a short walk. Especially with someone with dementia. A young child would struggle.
Yes, the visit was interesting, but the lady in question was too tired now to walk around.
I would not call the Space Centre having its "Own bus stop", a ten minute walk away, accurate.
When we returned, to the bus stop "opposite Asda", two park and ride buses (every 15 minutes) sailed by with the driver waving his hand in a "No" fashion.
We asked the next bus that did stop - "Park and Ride buses don't stop here mate. You have to go to the next stop but one.."
A further ten minute walk - with a gentleman and his exhausted grandson in exactly the same boat and equally upset.
The shuttle bus DID stop - though even this was not a designated stop.
And we had to pay.
Sorry, but I shan't be visiting the SC again.
As a service to future visitors, the website should be checked for accuracy and misleading info.

I have visited the National Space Centre several times since its inception, billed as the UK's space centre and a gem within the city of Leicester.

However, the Centre has deteriorated over times and at best it represents a tawdry appearance where the exhibits are not maintained and are allowed to fall into disrepair, especially the interactive exhibits.

The rocket gallery is very good and there are several floors, all with interactive exhibits, suitable for both adults and children, that bring to life the space race and the moon landings. The panoramic exhibition of iconic images and music from the space race of the 1960s and 1970s is brought to life here (though a bit more imagination and thought could have gone into this).

The simulation ride in the astronaut's training area is very educational and fun, and is a real boon to the Centre. The interactive astronaut's training zone is of real delight for both adults and children and very educational.

The restaurant area is garish, dull and has very poor lighting with a very limited and over-priced menu.

The planetarium is actually very good and often shows some fascinating shows, though that is if you can tolerate screaming children through the shows as the staff are seemingly unwilling and unable to control such intrusive public behaviour.

The other areas of the Centre appear to be badly-maintained and the place has an air of disrepair and neglect. Considering the relative high admission costs it is a place that one should think twice about visiting, unless one is a astronomy or space travel enthusiast, that is.

Don't bother communicating with the Centre, I have written a couple of times some years ago to suggest new things and ways of improvement, and their responses (I think from their Public Liason person or other) was nothing less than rude, condescending and disgusting, showing that they are not really interested in the public and their ideas. Clearly, with such a disgusting and rude attitude towards its customers it shows the National Space Centre to let itself down with regards to customer relations.

Shame really, a good idea and visitors' spot let down by ill-mannered staff and a lacklustre approach to this potential tourist gem.