Space Centre Reviews

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.

Keep on being far away from the site. You'll ind nothing here except the suffer huge losses because of your brain being impaired and brainwashed. Be yourself at your place away from it!