Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium Reviews Summary

Booking Process and Pricing

Pros:

• "Really easy booking process, well worth the money."
• "Booking in advance means you get a 25% discount on ticket prices."
• "Ticket pricing, at £12.50 each adult was fair I thought, much the same price as a cinema ticket after all."
• "Relatively low admission prices and you are even presented with extra gift vouchers for the cafe/gift shop which was generous."
• "The fees for entrance and planetarium were very reasonable."
• "Admission prices are good."
• "For the entry price it is such a bargain."

Cons:

• "The cost per adult £17.50 and child £17.50 does seem high and can be extremely costly if you have a few children."
• "Think we paid 93 for a family of four on the day, mixed age ranges from 2 to 12."
• "Not sure it's worth £15 for children and the cafe was extremely overpriced."
• "It cost over £60 for a family of four to get in."
• "It's pretty expensive and some of the displays need refurbishment."
• "I felt it was very over priced."
• "Probably the worst £70 I’ve ever spent."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff were friendly and helpful, committed to giving the children an interesting and enjoyable science experience."
• "The staff is very friendly and interactive with kids."
• "Lots of parking and friendly staff."
• "The staff were so polite and friendly."
• "The staff are all very helpful and enthusiastic, nothing was too much trouble."
• "All the staff clearly loved what they do and loved showing the wonder of science."
• "Staff very helpful and engaging."

Cons:

• "Staff seemed more interested In chatting amongst themselves then trying to repair/aid in the working of the interactive stations."
• "Some of the staff could do with basic politeness training."
• "When asked for an information pack (as for a school or home educator group) the staff became maxxed out."
• "The service was below par just ordering a coffee seemed problematic for the staff."
• "There appeared to be a lack of any staff around."
• "No staff whatsoever at all on the exhibits floor so it’s very difficult to try to read a huge blurb board of how each experiment works."
• "Unfortunately quite a number were not working or in bad condition."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "The inclusion of Sensory Backpacks for people with extra needs is the first of its kind I've seen anywhere and was a welcome addition."
• "The toilets are plentiful, clean and sized for children."
• "All interactive displays/experiments were at a height accessible for children and wheelchair users."
• "Access to all areas, FULL CHANGING FACILITIES with lots of space, accessible toilet with lots of space."
• "Also as a wheelchair user it was great that everywhere was easily accessible for me and I was able to join in ♡."
• "I like how the toilets have kids toilets and adults toilets separate."
• "The facilities are very clean and modern."

Cons:

• "A lack of adequate parking sees you forced to the park and ride."
• "Cost soon adds up and can’t understand why they charge parking for out of town."
• "It was so cold throughout the whole building people were wearing coats and scarves."
• "Lift was broken ok things happen but was just expected to cart a double buggy up and down big flights of stairs."
• "Alas pity one had to pay £2 for parking why on earth is this pitiful sum not included in the price."
• "It is also expensive especially with additional charges for car parking and the Planetarium."
• "The Car Park is quite small, but seemed to just cope with the demand."

Exhibits and Shows

Pros:

• "Brilliant displays, presentations, workshops and interactive exhibits."
• "We had a fantastic day (5 hrs in total) we explored everything, loved the planetarium show 🌛⭐️."
• "The Planetarium show was wonderful and entertaining."
• "The planetarium was absolutely amazing and the presentation by Sunshine (maybe not her real name) was the highlight of the day."
• "Brilliant place for entertaining children with lots to do!"
• "Great place for a day out with the kids. The live demonstrations are really fun."
• "The Planetarium was amazing."

Cons:

• "OK but far too many experiments are broken."
• "There wasn't anything special about it- and although the advertisement said there would be a spooky theme, there was nothing that showed this in the museum."
• "Vastly overpriced for not a lot to do."
• "Wouldn't recommend the High Voltage show - we were lured in by promises of flashing lights and loud bangs... but it was just sad and boring."
• "A lot of the exhibits get rapidly destroyed by unattended children who treat the place as a playground."
• "A lot of the interactive items were broken."
• "VERY overpriced and more like a play area than a science centre."