Facilities

FREE parking for all vehicles.
PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT CAR PARKING CHANGES FOR EASTER HOLIDAY-DUE TO BOGGY CONDITIONS ON THE FIELD WE ARE USING THE TARMAC CAR PARK ON WARTLING ROAD


There is a large grass field adjacent to The Centre with ample space for cars.  Coaches / minibuses / heavy vehicles can use the hard standing coach park area which is just a 2 minute walk from the entrance reception. 
Cars are also welcome to use the hardstanding space if the field is muddy.

Picnic spaces are provided with benches around the grassed areas and beside the pond.  There is usually a geodesic dome available for indoor picnics during inclement weather.

Ladies toilet, Disabled toilet and baby change are located on the ground floor, Gents toilet is upstairs.

The Cafe is open all day serving delicious refreshments including toasties, home made soup, light lunches and home made cakes. It is located on the ground floor and can seat 36.  There is a high chair and free bottle / baby food warming facilities.

The Gift Shop is located within the entrance reception. It stocks a wide range of unusual pocket money science toys as well as gifts, souvenirs, science books, resources and astronomy related items.  You can visit the shop without paying to enter The Centre and every purchase helps to support us.  There is a wide range of items which are especially suitable for party bags etc.

Accessibility

Parking for drivers requiring the ramped entrance is at the rear of The Centre.  Visitors are requested to please stop in front of our reception (through the white gates) to purchase your admission tickets and then to proceed to park your vehicle at the rear of the building. 

There are ramps around the site and a stair lift to one upstairs telescope in Dome B.

The Cafe, first aid, toilet facilities and baby change are all located on the ground floor.

A soft wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge, during your visit - please ring ahead to ensure it is available.

For open evenings some of the telescopes, not open to the public during the day, are located in domes which are only accessible via narrow, steep stairs - please contact The Centre for further details.

During cold weather we advise all visitors to wrap up warmly.

The indoor exhibits are displayed in the glass fronted building which is a long corridor containing lots of opening doors.... this makes it almost impossible to heat during cold weather. 

Likewise, if you wish to use the outdoor exhibit areas when it is cold, you should wear appropriate footwear and lots of layers!

There is no heating in the telescope domes and the temperature can drop rapidly - especially if you are visiting during an open evening

The Centre is an historic site and visitors must take care at all times.

• No unaccompanied children are admitted to The Centre and children under 17 years of age must be supervised by an adult at all times
• The Centre is a totally non-smoking establishment with smoking only permitted in the front car park
• No dogs are admitted except assistance dogs
• No ‘roller type' footwear, scooters, or skateboards etc.
• No ball games 
• CCTV system is in operation and recording throughout the site.
• The outdoor equipment is weather dependent.
• The wild ducks, and especially the ducklings in springtime are really cute but please DO NOT FEED as they become aggressive.

We cannot guarantee that everything mentioned will be available on the day of your visit. The outdoor exhibit areas may not be open in all weathers.

Please ring The Centre if you wish to check any particular details.