Life Science Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne
Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne
Right in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, the Life Science Centre is one of the best places to visit in Newcastle upon Tyne if you like your learning hands-on and a bit noisy. This family-friendly science attraction packs in changing exhibitions, live science shows, clever arcade-style games and the biggest planetarium in the North of England, making it a brilliant option whether you are travelling with children, teenagers or just an inner science geek. From space journeys to DNA, the centre is designed to make big ideas feel playful and accessible.
Since May 2000, the Life Science Centre has been part of the wider International Centre for Life, a pioneering “science village” that brings together researchers, educators and visitors on one campus. As you move between galleries, shows and the famous Motion Ride simulator that lets you “experience” bungee jumping and other adrenaline-pumping adventures, it is easy to forget you are only a short walk from Newcastle Central Station. It is a highlight of any walking tour of Newcastle upon Tyne that focuses on the city's modern, forward-looking side rather than just its industrial past.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Life Science Centre
- Things to See and Do in the Life Science Centre
- How to Get to the Life Science Centre
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Life Science Centre
- Where to Stay close to the Life Science Centre
- Is the Life Science Centre Worth Visiting
- FAQs for Visiting Life Science Centre
- Nearby Attractions to the Life Science Centre
History and Significance of the Life Science Centre
The Life Science Centre opened in 2000 as the public-facing heart of the International Centre for Life, a project that set out to create a “science village” in central Newcastle. The idea was to combine cutting-edge biomedical research, education and public engagement in one place, so that visitors could get closer to the science that shapes modern life rather than just reading about it from a distance. Since then, the centre has become a key part of Newcastle's cultural landscape, sitting alongside more traditional museums and galleries as a go-to destination for curious minds.
As an educational visitor attraction, the Life Science Centre has always aimed to balance fun with thought-provoking content. Over the years it has hosted exhibitions on everything from space exploration and climate change to the human body and robotics, often working closely with scientists and universities to ensure the material is both accurate and engaging. The presence of live science demos and shows means that no two visits feel exactly the same, especially if you catch a different programme or seasonal theme.
The centre’s role is not just to entertain but to inspire. By giving children and adults the chance to handle exhibits, run simple experiments and talk to science communicators, it quietly encourages the next generation of scientists, engineers and informed citizens. Within Newcastle and the wider North East, it has become a symbol of the region’s shift from heavy industry to knowledge-based innovation, sitting comfortably alongside the city’s historic castle and riverfront as part of a broader story of reinvention.
Things to See and Do in the Life Science Centre
One of the headline experiences at the Life Science Centre is its large planetarium, the biggest in the North of England. Here you can lean back in your seat and travel through the solar system, watch the night sky unfold, or dive into themed dome shows that link astronomy with current scientific missions. The immersive visuals and live or pre-recorded commentary make it a genuine crowd-pleaser, especially for kids who may never have seen the stars presented in quite such a dramatic way.
The Motion Ride is another firm favourite, especially with older children and thrill-seekers. This simulator uses moving seats and 4D effects to plunge you into virtual experiences such as bungee jumping or high-speed adventures, and the film changes regularly so repeat visits stay fresh. It is loud, a little chaotic and full of laughter, and it anchors the more arcade-style side of the centre where interactive games and hands-on stations test your reactions, puzzle-solving and curiosity.
Beyond the big-ticket attractions, there are galleries where you can get closer to topics like genetics, climate, engineering or everyday technology through exhibits that invite you to touch, press, build or experiment. Live science shows and demonstrations pop up throughout the day, bringing out objects, experiments or mini-explosions that make the science feel immediate. Even if some of the deeper information goes over younger heads, the sense of play, movement and colour keeps everyone involved and encourages discussions long after you have left.
How to Get to the Life Science Centre
If you are arriving from further afield, Newcastle International Airport is your main gateway, with regular domestic and European flights and a direct Metro link into the city centre in around 25 minutes. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Newcastle upon Tyne on Booking.com. From the airport, ride the Metro to Central Station and you are only a short walk from the International Centre for Life campus where the Life Science Centre is based.
By rail, you could not ask for a more convenient setup: Newcastle Central Station sits just a few minutes' walk from the Life Science Centre and is a major stop on the East Coast Main Line, with frequent services from London, Edinburgh, York, Leeds and beyond.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. Once you step out of the station, follow signs to the International Centre for Life and you will see the science village buildings ahead of you. Coaches and regional buses also terminate near the station, making rail and bus a very straightforward combination.
If you prefer to drive, follow signs into Newcastle city centre, then towards Central Station and the International Centre for Life. There are several city-centre car parks within easy walking distance, though as with most central locations, charges apply and traffic can be busy at peak times, so it is worth allowing a little extra time and checking parking options in advance.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Life Science Centre
- Suggested tips: Pre-book tickets, especially during school holidays and weekends, and check the day’s schedule so you can plan planetarium shows and Motion Ride slots around your visit.
- Best time to visit: Weekday afternoons outside school holidays are usually quieter, while holiday periods have a livelier buzz with more families and extra activities.
- Entrance fee: Adults: £15.00 Kids (5-17): £8.00 Under-4s: Free
- Opening hours: 1st June - 2nd December Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 18:00 Sunday 11.00 - 18:00 Ice Skating available from 11th November - 18th February
- Official website: https://www.life.org.uk/
- How long to spend: Plan on at least 3-4 hours to enjoy the exhibitions, a planetarium show and the Motion Ride without rushing, and longer if your kids love trying every interactive game.
- Accessibility: The centre is designed with accessibility in mind, with step-free routes, lifts and accessible toilets; check specific details for the Motion Ride and planetarium if you have particular needs or sensitivities.
- Facilities: On site you will find a café, toilets, baby-changing facilities, lockers and a shop stocked with science-themed books, toys and gifts to extend the learning at home.
- Photography tip: While some shows and the planetarium will have restrictions, the colourful exhibition spaces and hands-on exhibits make great backdrops for family photos; just avoid flash where requested.
- Guided tours: Most visits are self-guided, but staff and science explainers are on hand to answer questions, and occasional themed events or adult-evening sessions offer a different way to experience the centre.
- Nearby food options: Beyond the on-site café, you are moments away from Newcastle city centre, where plenty of cafés, restaurants and fast-food spots make it easy to grab lunch before or after your visit.
Where to Stay close to the Life Science Centre
Staying near the Life Science Centre gives you the bonus of being close to Newcastle Central Station and the wider city centre, making it easy to combine your visit with other attractions. A classic choice just across from the station is Royal Station Hotel, which offers traditional character and a very short walk to the science village. For a more modern feel, Crowne Plaza Newcastle Stephenson Quarter sits just behind the station and is particularly handy for the International Centre for Life. Budget travellers might consider Hampton by Hilton Newcastle, which combines contemporary rooms with a location that keeps both the Life Science Centre and the rest of the city within easy reach on foot.
Is the Life Science Centre Worth Visiting
If you are even vaguely curious about science, or travelling with children who like pressing buttons and asking “why”, the Life Science Centre is absolutely worth visiting. It manages to make complex topics feel approachable without losing the sense of wonder, and the mix of planetarium shows, the Motion Ride and interactive exhibits means there is something to appeal to almost every age group. Because it is so central, you can easily slot it into a broader Newcastle itinerary, and many visitors find it leaves them talking about what they saw long after they have stepped back out into the city streets.
What Other Travellers Say...
Life Science Centre at International Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP, is an interactive science venue with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, live demonstrations and an on-site café; it's designed for all ages with spaces for toddlers (soft play), structured labs for older children, and engaging exhibits on forces, light, sound, space and illusions, plus opportunities to try simulated astronaut-style computers — staff are described as friendly and the atmosphere relaxed, though it can be busy with school groups at times.
FAQs for Visiting Life Science Centre
Nearby Attractions to the Life Science Centre
- Newcastle Castle: A short walk away, this medieval fortress offers atmospheric rooms and rooftop views over the city and River Tyne.
- The Quayside: Head downhill to the river for a stroll along the Tyne, with views of the bridges, historic buildings and plenty of places to eat and drink.
- Discovery Museum: Another family-friendly attraction showcasing science, local history and maritime heritage in a former Victorian warehouse.
- Great North Museum Hancock: Explore natural history, Ancient Egypt and a superb Hadrian's Wall gallery a little further up towards the university.
- Grainger Town and Grey Street: Wander this elegant 19th-century city-centre district, often cited as one of the most beautiful streetscapes in the UK, filled with shops, cafés and theatres.
The Life Science Centre appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne!
Moira & Andy
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Planning Your Visit
1st June – 2nd December
Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 11.00 – 18:00
Ice Skating available from 11th November – 18th February
Adults: £15.00 Kids (5-17): £8.00 Under-4s: Free
Nearby Attractions
- Discovery Museum (0.4) km
Museum - Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne (0.5) km
Historic Building - Blackfriars Restaurant (0.5) km
Historic Building - The Quayside (0.7) km
Area - Newcastle Castle (0.7) km
Castle - Pons Aelius (0.7) km
Roman Site - St Nicholas Cathedral (0.7) km
Cathedral - Grainger Market (0.8) km
Market - Edwardian Central Arcade (0.8) km
Historic Site - Bessie Surtees House (0.8) km
Historic Building
