Splash · water & floating
Why do some things sink?
Build a dam on the 12-metre water table, race boats through the locks and crank water uphill with an Archimedes screw.
Hands-on science museum · ages 5 to 12
Poke it. Pour it. Find out.
Four zones and more than 120 things to touch, test and take apart, with free science shows every day. There isn't a single "please don't touch" sign in the building.
- Today
- Tue–Fri 9:30am–4:30pmWeekends until 5:30pm
- Tickets
- Children £9 · Adults £11Under 5s free · Family £34
- Find us
- 14 Greenhouse LaneRiverside · free buggy park
Explore
Four zones. Every one of them is touchable.
Each zone is built around one big question, with exhibits made for small hands and grown-ups who want a go too.
- 4zones
- 120+hands-on exhibits
- 2–3 hrsa typical visit
Spark · electricity & magnets
Where does electricity come from?
Light a bulb with your own two hands, make your hair stand on end and steer a ball bearing through the giant magnet maze.
Sky · air, flight & space
How high can a paper rocket go?
Fire air rockets eight metres up, ride a hover-cushion across the floor and lie back under the star dome.
Grow · plants, bugs & bodies
What's alive in here?
Watch our leafcutter ants at work, race your own heartbeat and plant a seed in a pot to take home.
Daily shows
Bangs, bubbles and the odd rocket
Every show is free with your ticket and there's nothing to book. Just turn up at the Big Bench ten minutes early to get a seat at the front.
- Fizz, Pop, WhooshKitchen chemistry with very big reactions · 20 min5+
- The Air CannonKnock over a tower of cups from across the room · 15 min5+
- Rocket CountdownDesign a rocket, then launch it outside · 25 min7+
- Big Bubble FinaleStand inside a bubble as tall as a grown-up · 15 min5+
Weekends and school holidays add an 11:15am Tiny Tinkerers session for younger siblings (ages 3–5).
Plan your visit
Opening times
We're open Tuesday to Sunday, plus Mondays in school holidays.
| Tuesday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
| Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
| Saturday | 9:30am – 5:30pm |
| Sunday | 9:30am – 5:30pm |
| Monday | Closed (open 9:30am – 5:30pm in school holidays) |
Last entry is one hour before closing. We're closed on 24, 25 and 26 December.
Getting here
14 Greenhouse Lane, Riverside. It's a 5-minute walk from Riverside station, and buses 4 and 17 stop outside. Our car park is pay-and-display and has 12 family bays.
Everyone's welcome
The whole building is step-free, with lifts and a Changing Places toilet. You can borrow ear defenders and fidget kits at the desk. Quiet mornings run 9:30–11am on the first Sunday of every month.
Snacks & buggies
Café Sprout serves hot lunches and kids' lunchboxes. There's also a picnic room if you'd rather bring your own. Buggies can be left in the free, staffed buggy park.
Tickets
Book a day of finding out
Pick a day and an arrival time, and you can stay until closing. Tickets bought online are guaranteed entry, and you can change the date for free up to 24 hours before.
- Child£9ages 5–12
- Adult£1118+
- Under 5sFreestill need a ticket
- Family£342 adults + 2 children
Carers go free with proof of need. Our annual family pass costs £85 and pays for itself in three visits.
Prefer to talk to someone? Call us on 0117 496 0123, 9am–5pm. Group and school bookings are on the same line.
Good to know
Questions grown-ups ask
Do we need to book?
You don't have to, but we do recommend it. Weekends and school holidays often sell out by mid-morning, and online tickets are guaranteed entry. If there's space on the day you can buy tickets at the door.
What age is it best for?
Everything is designed for ages 5 to 12. Under-5s are welcome and free, and they love the Splash zone and the Tiny Tinkerers sessions. A few exhibits have a minimum age, and it's marked on the sign.
Can children visit without an adult?
No. Every child needs to be with an adult aged 18 or over, and one adult can bring up to four children.
Will my children get wet?
Probably a bit! We lend waterproof aprons in Splash, and there are hand dryers at the zone exit. A spare pair of socks never hurts.
Can we leave and come back?
Yes. Ask for a hand stamp at the exit and you can come back in any time on the same day.
How does the annual family pass work?
For £85 a year, two named adults and up to four children get unlimited visits, early entry at 9am on Saturdays and 10% off in the café.