Facilities & Access Guide

We have 23 widened spaces that are designated for accessible parking.

For visitors requiring accessible parking, but who are not in possession of a blue badge, please contact us prior to your visit by emailing us at [email protected] or speak to a member of staff upon arrival.

Parking for the day costs £4. Payment can be made via debit/credit card at machines located in the main car park. You can also pay for your parking at the main ticketing desk.

Please Note: We do not accept American Express

During busy periods, we are happy to provide fast-track entry for visitors with an autism spectrum condition.

If you require fast-track entry, please make yourself known to a member of staff on the day of your visit. You can also organise fast-track entry in advance by emailing us at [email protected]

We have three manual wheelchairs, four walking stick chairs, and one adjustable walking stick available to borrow on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can also pre-book these by emailing us at [email protected]

Concessionary tickets are available to visitors with a disability; this includes a free annual pass when paying the full concessionary price. Essential carers and personal assistants receive free entry.

Proof of entitlement for a free carer ticket are required when collecting tickets (PIP, DLA, Carers Allowance or similar are valid proof of entitlement).

Please bring your animal identification book, provided by official organisation such as Assistance Dogs UK, Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation.

Animals should wear the appropriate tabards or harness, and be kept under control throughout your visit.

We reserve the right to deny entry to your dog if it does not appear to be appropriately registered and trained. This is for the safety of other visitors.

Male, female and accessible toilets can be found on the ground floor, next to The Shop, alongside baby changing facilities.

Our accessible toilets feature:

• Room for a standard wheelchair
• Low-level hand basin with lever taps
• Low-level hand drier
• Good overhead lighting
• Non-slip flooring
• Transfer rail next to the toilet

• Low level light switch with hook

• Low level emergency alarm cord with hook

• Sanitary waste bins

• Colour contrast between the blue floor and white walls define the wall/floor meeting point.

You can find a Changing Places facility in the Live Space Gallery. You can access via a code available at the main ticketing desk or by asking any member of staff. This facility features:

• A peninsular toilet
• Adult-sized height adjustable bench
• Ceiling tracking hoist
• Surface sanitiser
• A screen
• A large waste bin
• A large wash basin
• Wide, tear-off paper roll to cover the bench
• Space for a disabled person and up to two personal assistants
• Non-slip flooring
• A drop-down baby changing bench
• An emergency alarm cord with hook

Our exhibits have been designed to conform to the strictest Health & Safety standards; however, due to the nature of photosensitive epilepsy, visitors experiencing this condition may wish to avoid the following areas:

• Tetrastar Spaceport
  Loud sounds, fast-moving images and flashing lights.
  Visitors with epilepsy are advised to refrain from riding the Tetrastar Spaceport attraction.

• The Planetarium
  Surround sound and fast-moving images.
• How it all Started exhibit in The Universe gallery
  Surround sound and flashing images.
• Destination Venus exhibit in Our Solar System gallery
  Surround sound and fast-moving images.
• Gagarin Experience exhibit on Deck 3 of the Rocket Tower
  Flashing red strobing beacons.

If you have any concerns about loud noises or flashing images during your visit, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff.

Large print information is available on request. This includes a copy of the guidebook and a transcript of the current show in our Planetarium.

A magnifying glass with a built-in LED light is also available to facilitate reading in the Planetarium and around the Centre.

Lighting around the main galleries is ambient and dim, in keeping with the theme of space. Many exhibits are highlighted with spotlights and most of the audio-visual displays are subtitled.

We have a portable Induction Loop based at the main ticketing desk. Please speak to a member of staff if you would like to use this facility.

The Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium is fitted with a fixed Induction Loop to ensure you enjoy our award-winning shows. Please speak to a member of staff should you need assistance with this. 

We can also provide a pad of paper and a pencil for visitors who would prefer to communicate by written means.

Many of the audio-visual displays are subtitled, and our ‘How It All Started’ exhibit in the Our Universe gallery is presented in British Sign Language.

Our Space Communications team host regular talks and activities which include artefact handling sessions. To ensure these are available prior to your visit, please contact our Bookings Team on 0116 258 2111 (Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00).

We also offer specialised Sensory Sessions which allow people to engage with our collection through touch, sound, and smell. These must be booked in advance.

People who are sensitive to sensory disturbances may wish to avoid exhibits portraying rocket launches and cosmic explosions. These include the Rocket Launch experience in the seating area of Boosters Café and the Blast Off Experience in the Into Space gallery.

Our Sensory Map can provide a general guide of sensory triggers around the galleries. Please note that specific details may vary on the day of your visit.

If you have any concerns about loud noises or flashing images during your visit, please do not hesitate to talk to a member of staff.

You can borrow one of our multi-sensory backpacks from our ticket desk on the day of your visit. These contain:

• Ear defenders
• Sensory map
• A feelings fan
• Fidget toys
• Stress ball
• A small tealight for the planetarium

If you wish to pre-book a multi-sensory backpack or a pair of ear defenders, please contact our team by email [email protected]

We are always happy for you to suggest additional items for the bags, so please contact us if you have found something we could consider adding.

Please return the bags after use so we can continue to offer this to other visitors who need them. 

We are usually able to provide a quiet area for visitors who may experience sensory disturbances.

The availability and location of this area may vary and may be compromised during busy periods.

In all circumstances, we recommend checking availability with us in advance of your visit by emailing us at [email protected]

Download the contents of this webpage as a PDF guide

Click here to Download

This map offers a general guide to sensory conditions throughout our galleries, including areas that may be bright, noisy, or crowded. Please note that conditions can vary on the day of your visit

Click here to Download

A general map of the National Space Centre showing the locations of galleries, toilets, café, shop, staircases, lifts, and other main facilities.

Click here to Download