We will open exclusively for you (minimum charge applies) or you can visit with other groups during our dedicated Twilight Weeks in June (Science focus) & November (Astronomy focus).
"Thank you all for a most enjoyable evening: at last, clear skies to see the planets and the moon through the telescope! Brilliant experience for all our young people."
"We had a lovely evening and our Beavers went home raving about all the fun they had. I’m not sure it could have been improved."
"Thank you, and the team at the centre, for putting last night on for the Scouts. They really enjoyed it. We heard from a parent that her son thought 'it was the best thing in the world', though in hindsight he should have said universe!"
A fantastic opportunity for all uniformed groups to visit after regular hours...
Science activity, science show and interactive exhibits can contribute towards experiment, scientist and investigator Activity Badges.
Book to arrive any time from 5 pm and depart any time up to 9 pm: we recommend a minimum of 2 hours to fit everything in!
The science show performance will last approx. 35 minutes.
The science activity session will last approx. 30 minutes.
You will also have opportunity to explore interactive exhibits in the main corridor; outside exhibit areas will be open weather permitting.
The Gift Shop and Café will be open. Catering, including The Launch Box (hot dogs, burgers & fries etc) can be pre-booked (additional cost).
Cost: £7.95 per child to include science show and science activity, alongside the interactive exhibits.
Young Leaders and non- scouting children accompanying the group are admitted at the reduced rate of just £6.45 pp.
ALL adults are admitted free of charge: uniformed leaders, parents / guardians and carers for children within the group.
Pre-booking essential and numbers are limited.
There is no minimum group size but children must be accompanied and supervised by uniformed leaders from their group who are responsible for the safe conduct of their group at all times.
Your activities will be planned within the arrival / departure times you give us.
You do not need to be on site all evening unless you choose to do so.
A fantastic opportunity for all uniformed groups to visit during twilight hours.
Telescope Tour with activity and planetarium presentation can contribute towards astronomy / stargazer / space Activity Badges.
Book to arrive any time from 5 pm and depart any time up to 9 pm: we recommend a minimum of 2 hours to fit everything in!
The planetarium presentation will last approx. 30 minutes.
The tour with activity session will last approx. 35 minutes.
Actual night sky observing is subject to weather conditions.
You will also have opportunity to explore the interactive exhibits in the main corridor; outside exhibit areas will be closed.
The Gift Shop and Café will be open. Hot drinks & snacks etc. will be available to purchase plus catering for your whole group can be discussed, pre-booked & factored into your timetable.
Cost: £7.95 per child to include telescope tour & activity and planetarium presentation, alongside the indoor interactive exhibits.
Young Leaders and non- scouting children accompanying the group are admitted at the reduced rate of just £6.45 pp.
ALL adults are admitted free of charge: uniformed leaders, parents / guardians and carers for children within the group. Adults are welcome to wait in our Cafe.
Pre-booking essential and numbers are limited.
There is no minimum group size but children must be accompanied and supervised by uniformed leaders from their group who are responsible for the safe conduct of their group at all times.
Your activities will be planned within the arrival / departure times you give us.
You do not need to be on site all evening unless you choose to do so.
Visit for your regular meeting times and explore the interactive exhibits for a private science / astronomy evening with the option to book telescope tour / activities / worksheets to contribute towards Activity Badges.
We welcome twilight groups from February to November for science / astronomy focus and you can book to incorporate any of the activity badges.
If your main interest is viewing through the telescopes then it is best to book to visit from October through to March when it will be dark by late afternoon / early evening.
With historic telescopes restored to working order your visit can concentrate on astronomy. Tour the domes as the astronomers would have done and, with favourable weather conditions, view through an historic telescope.
The following is a suggested programme, but we will tailor the visit to suit your arrival and departure times (and according to the size of the group):
If you arrive in daylight you will initially explore the outdoor exhibits (weather permitting) and move indoors as the light fades.
You will then explore the indoor interactive exhibits and, if you have booked badgework, groups will participate in specific activities and complete worksheets etc.
COST: £6.45 per child, plus £1.50 for badgework (optional). Minimum charge for 30. Uniformed leaders and essential carers are admitted free of charge to the normal ratios.
Young leaders, additional adults & siblings: £6.45pp.
We recommend minimum 2 hours if you are including activities / telescope tour etc.
Visit for your regular meeting times and explore the interactive exhibits for a fun science / astronomy evening with the extra option to book telescope tour / activities / worksheets to contribute towards Activity Badges.
We welcome twilight groups from February to November for science / astronomy focus and you can book to incorporate any of the activity badges.
If your main interest is viewing through the telescopes then it is best to book to visit from October through to March when it will be dark by late afternoon / early evening.
With historic telescopes restored to working order your visit can concentrate on astronomy. Tour the domes as the astronomers would have done and, with favourable weather conditions, view through an historic telescope.
The following is a suggested astronomy programme, but we will tailor the visit to suit your arrival and departure times (and according to the size of the group):
COST: £7.95 per child (includes badgework activity) + catering. Minimum charge for 30.
Uniformed leaders and essential carers are admitted free of charge to the normal ratios; catering additional.
Young leaders, additional adults & siblings: £6.45 pp; catering additional.
Twilight Visits require particular regard for Health and Safety, especially if your entire visit is after sunset. Risk Assessments are available for all activities.
We recommend everyone wears appropriate clothing / footwear for the weather conditions. The temperature can drop rapidly at night and there is no heating in the telescope domes. Remember you will be going outside!
For astronomy evenings all leaders should bring a torch to lead their group to / from the parking areas.
Others can bring a torch if they have them; red light torch is preferable for astronomy evenings, but not essential.
Actual viewing cannot be guaranteed and is always subject to weather conditions. We do not cancel an evening / offer refunds in the event of poor weather, unless extreme weather warnings are in place.
The telescopes cannot see through cloud, nor can they be set up quickly if there is a brief gap in cloud cover.
If weather stops us from using the telescopes we offer a cloudy night contingency plan with a planetarium style talk with Q&A opportunity.
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The Observatory Science Centre is part of Science Projects Ltd, a company limited by guarantee registered in England No: 02186073 and a registered charity No: 298542. The registered office is Unit 1 Warren Farm, Steventon, Basingstoke, Hampshire UK, RG25 3BL.
