Access and Facilities
We The Curious is for everyone. We are an interactive science centre with lots of exhibits to touch and interact with spread over two floors. We also have a planetarium and other spaces where you can take part in activities with a member of staff.
You can explore the exhibits in whatever order you like and at your own pace. Planetarium shows and activities are at set times which you can find in the foyer before you go in, however please bear in mind you will need to pre-book your planetarium show when you are booking your ticket.
Below is a summary of the facilities and support we currently offer.
If you need any assistance, please get in touch.
You can also call us on 0117 915 1000, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Ahead of your visit
Tickets
We offer free admission for personal assistants. You can add these tickets to your basket when booking online or by speaking to our bookings team.
Wheelchair spaces are available in the Planetarium and need to be booked together with your Day ticket. Please contact our bookings team if you are unable to find a show with wheelchair space available.
Getting to the venue
You can find information about travelling to the venue in the Getting here section on website.
Parking
There are 22 Blue Badge parking spaces underground in Millennium Square car park located across both floors.
The car park is fully accessible and there are lifts available to bring you up to ground level. The route from the lifts to the venue entrance is completely flat.
We also have drop off points for coaches and minibuses at ground level. If you’re arriving in a vehicle over 2m high, please contact us in advance.
Wheelchair loan
Two wheelchairs are available to borrow from the Welcome desk in the Foyer.
Assistance dogs
Are very welcome!
During your visit
Welcome Desk
Located in the foyer on the ground floor, staff here are happy to help with any questions. You can stop by here on your way in or at any point during your visit.
We have 10 Sensory Bags available. They will be free to use, first come first serve. Each bag contains noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, communication aids and are suitable for both children and adults.
Lifts & access
Our venue is open plan with lifts between each floor. There are doors inside the public areas to access the toilets, the Planetarium and some programming and event spaces.
Every floor has a level surface, and all the exhibits have lots of space for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Seats and benches are available around the venue to take a rest.
Toilets & Changing Places
Toilet accessible to wheelchair users are available on every floor. A Changing Places facility is on the ground floor, just inside the entrance to the exhibition space.
The Changing Places facility is available to everyone during our opening hours, regardless of whether or not they’re visiting We The Curious.
You’ll need a Radar DAR key to access the room, but if you don’t have one, just ask our staff at the Welcome Desk who can help you. You'll also need to bring your own sling.
You can find full information and details of exactly what's in the facility on the Changing Places website.
Visiting with little ones
Designated places to leave buggies. There are lockers available to use free of charge, but you'll need a £1 coin, which will get returned to you at the end. Subject to availability.
Breast-feeding friendly throughout including our Quiet Room. (Other private space available upon request.)
Pushchair and wheelchair friendly café with highchairs, plus free bottle and food warming facilities.
You can also bring your own food into the venue to eat in our picnic area or eat outside on Millennium or Anchor Square (re-entry is fine!).
What is the space like?
Exhibits
All of our exhibits are interactive, so you can enjoy them through play and using your senses. We’ve designed them with high colour contrast, large font size and English subtitles. The exhibits are down low so everyone can reach them.
We use dimmed lighting in many of our exhibition spaces including Project What If on the ground floor and most of the first floor. You might need to wait for your eyes to adjust.
Planetarium
Our Planetarium shows are quiet and calm with low light. Most of them are presenter led, with audience members having the opportunity to ask questions. A hearing loop is available.
Wheelchair spaces are available in the Planetarium. Please book together with your Day ticket or contact our bookings team in advance to arrange these.
Quiet Room
We have dedicated Quiet Room - a peaceful sanctuary to take a break, calm and relax. There is hardly any sound and low level lighting. Weighted blankets available.
If this is not suitable for your needs or you’d like further support, please talk to a member of staff.
Multi Faith room
Prayer, contemplation and refelction space for people of faith and no faith. Please speak to a member of staff if you need a hand locating this.
Activities in our spaces
Occasionally some of the activities that we run in our spaces include loud noises. Please ask a member of staff if you need information about this when you arrive. Ear defenders are available to borrow from the Welcome Desk.
Quieter times and Relaxed Mornings
We The Curious can be a pretty busy place, full of stimulation. The quietest time to visit is 3pm-5pm on weekdays, when the building has fewer people in it. This time can be quieter at weekends too, but not during the school holidays.
We also run quarterly Relaxed Mornings.
Ear defenders
Ear defenders are available to borrow from the Welcome Desk in the foyer.
Additional resources
AccessAble offer a detailed look at the facilities we provide including parking and toilets, with in-depth descriptions.