Fun for the curious
Over 100 interactive exhibits, indoor and outdoor, as well as groundbreaking scientific history all in one place!
Space Escape!
Explore our new interactive trail running during the Easter holidays 28 March – 12 April. Included in your admission ticket.
Come along on an escape room-style space mission, perfect for 7-12 year olds!
Your space mission was going perfectly… until your ship jolted, the lights flickered, and every screen went dark. Follow the trail to uncover each hidden message, solve all the clues to rebuild your navigation path, restore communication and guide your ship safely back to Earth!
Schools & Groups
We are a unique science learning destination set within the historic domes of the former Royal Observatory. Surrounded by beautiful Sussex countryside, our secure site offers a truly inspiring setting for groups to explore science and astronomy in a real-life context.
Celebrations
Whether its a birthday party, a wedding or any other event – we’d love to help you celebrate. Our fascinating telescope domes provide a unique backdrop for any celebration and our interactive science exhibits keep everyone entertained.
Gift Vouchers
Treat family or friends to a day of interactive science or an evening of stargazing. Even better, our digital gift vouchers are sent straight to their inbox, making them perfect for last-minute or long-distance gifting!
“What an absolute gem!
If you want hands on fun, where children and adults alike can touch, push, wind, press, feel, see, hear – then this is the place!”
Tripadvisor review
“Amazing little hands on science fun find! We filled a whole day at the centre with no waiting to use anything and the science show was great! Worth the journey to get to it.”
Google Review
“Had a wonderful evening of stargazing here last night. Saw Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, the Andromeda galaxy, a nebula and eventually the Moon, which blew me away seeing it up close.”
Google Review
Discover
Find out more about our incredible exhibits, historic telescopes and upcoming events
The Isaac Newton Telescope
Read about the Isaac Newton Telescope, previously based at Herstmonceux. Sir Isaac Newton was born on 4 January 1643 at
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Stargazing Evenings
See the stars through our historic telescopes. Stargazing Evenings at the Observatory are the best way to experience the natural
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Solid, liquid, gas…plasma!
Explore our popular Plasma Globe exhibit in the ‘Light and Colour’ gallery. What is plasma? Plasma is the fourth state
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Shake it off!
Discover our popular Earthquake exhibit in the ‘Earth & Beyond’ gallery. Design, Build, Test, Learn! Have you ever felt an
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Proving Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
Historic glassware exhibited at the Observatory includes telescope mirrors and a lens used in one of the 20th century’s pivotal
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Our Awesome Orrery
When you visit our ‘Domes of Discovery’ gallery, don’t forget to look up! Mounted next to the massive Congo Schmidt
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Home Educator Days
Our next Home Educator Day is Friday 15th May 2026. Home Educator days at the Observatory Science Centre & Museum
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History of The Royal Observatory
From Greenwich to Herstmonceux The Royal Observatory was founded by King Charles II on 4th March 1675 when John Flamsteed
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Easter School Holidays
Space Escape! Our escape room-style Easter Trail. From Saturday 28th March to Sunday 12th April visitors can experience a brand-new
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Big Telescopes for Small Astronomers
Explore the night sky with stargazing events for kids and families in East Sussex at the Observatory Science Centre & Museum
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Beer & The Big Bang
Enjoy an evening of explosive science followed by stargazing with local beer from Lakedown Brewing Co. The evening begins with a goody
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Astronomy Festival 2026
The festival returns… 28th – 30th August. More information coming soon. Watch. This. Space.
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Science for all
Our mission is to empower everyone to engage with science confidently and so feel more resilient in our complex world. We believe that science should be as fun and easy to talk about as Taylor Swift or the football.
100%
of profit to charity
1.5 million
visitors
30
Years open to the public
120
School visits every year
