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1 / 6The National Space Centre is one of the UK's biggest space attractions, a ticketed museum in Leicester built around a 42-metre Rocket Tower you can spot from a distance. Opened in 2001, it packs six interactive galleries, a genuine Soyuz spacecraft and the UK's largest planetarium into a single day out. Here is what to expect and how to get your ticket the right way.
🎟️See National Space Centre tickets on GetYourGuide →Where it is
The National Space Centre sits on Exploration Drive in Belgrave, Leicester (LE4 5NS), just north of the city centre beside the River Soar and next to Space Park Leicester. It is a short hop out of the centre rather than a city-centre venue, so it is worth planning your route before you set off.
What to see
- The Rocket Tower — a 42-metre glass tower housing upright rockets including the Thor Able and Blue Streak, alongside genuine Moon rock samples.
- Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium — the UK's largest planetarium, included with every admission ticket.
- A genuine Soyuz spacecraft — a real crewed spacecraft on display in the Welcome Hall.
- Six interactive galleries — with 150+ hands-on activities, plus satellites and meteorites to explore.
Getting your ticket
Admission is roughly £19.95 for adults and £17.95 for children, and the planetarium show is included in that price. The best approach is to buy online in advance from the official site — spacecentre.co.uk — which locks in your visit date and secures the cheapest price.
Note that this is timed, advance booking rather than a queue-jump "skip-the-line" product. There is no skip-the-line ticket for the National Space Centre, and no third-party seller offers valid entry, so book direct through the official website.
Book National Space Centre tickets & tours
GetYourGuide has the widest choice for National Space Centre — GetYourGuide has a Leicester destination page but does NOT sell entry tickets to the National Space Centre. No dedicated product or entry+ticket listing exists on GYG for this attraction; only generic Leicester-area activities, and admission is NOT included. Do not imply GYG sells entry here., most with free cancellation. Check live prices:
Prices and availability change. Some links are affiliate links — booking through them supports the site at no extra cost to you.
Insider tips
- Book online ahead of your visit to guarantee your date and pay the lowest price.
- Give yourself most of a day — with 150+ activities across six galleries plus a planetarium show, it rewards a slower pace.
- Check the planetarium show times when you arrive so you can plan the rest of your visit around your seat.
- Driving is straightforward with on-site parking available; the post code LE4 5NS takes you straight there.
Is it worth it?
For anyone with an interest in space — and especially for families — it is a strong day out. You get the UK's largest planetarium, a real Soyuz spacecraft, Moon rock and a tower full of full-size rockets, all under one roof, for around £20 an adult. As a genuine, purpose-built space museum it earns its place among the country's biggest space attractions.
FAQs
Do I need to book in advance?
You don't have to, but it is strongly recommended. Booking online through the official site locks in your date and gets you the cheapest price, since admission is timed and advance-booked.
Is there a skip-the-line ticket?
No. Entry is a standard timed admission ticket, not a queue-jump product. Be wary of any third-party listing claiming to sell "skip-the-line" access — buy directly from spacecentre.co.uk.
Is the planetarium included in the price?
Yes. A show in the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium, the UK's largest, is included with every admission ticket at no extra cost.
🎟️ Top things to do in Leicester
Skip the queues with pre-booked tickets. Compare prices across GetYourGuide and Tiqets — both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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