Download this guide as docx

Welcome

Life Science Centre is a fun, hands-on science centre in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. Situated within the Centre for Life, Life Science Centre aims to engage the public with science in an interesting and lasting way. Life offers a range of permanent exhibitions such as the Brain Zone, Experiment Zone, Space Zone and the Young Explorer's Zone for under 7s, as well as a varied range of temporary exhibitions. The centre is also home to the biggest planetarium in the North, the Making Studios and Life's Science Theatre which hosts regular shows. Times Square Cafe is located within the science centre, offering hot and cold food, as well as Starbucks coffees.

Life Science Centre entrance

Hearing

We have a hearing loop in Reception, in the Planetarium and Science Theatre.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
We have information in large print.

General

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
There is a public toilet for disabled visitors. The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Life Science Centre
Times Square
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4EP

Travel by public transport

You can get to Life Science Centre by bus, train and metro.
There are bus stops outside Newcastle Central Station, which is a two minute walk away. The bus stop is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from Life Science Centre.
The nearest train station is Newcastle Central Station. The train station is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from Life Science Centre.

Life Science Centre is well served by public transport, and is just a 2 minute walk away from Newcastle's Central rail station and Central Metro Station.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with NODA by calling 0191 222 1888.

Parking

There is parking near the venue. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is not free.
Central Parkway is a safe place to drop off Science Centre visitors, but parking is not available here. From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.
There is a lift. The path is sloped.

Life owns a fully accessible car park less than five minutes walk away from the Centre.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with CCTV in operation and personal assistance available at all times, Times Square Car Park is one of the safest car parks in Newcastle.

Sat Nav reference NE4 7AD takes you to Times Square Car Park.

For enquiries about Times Square Car Park, please call (0191) 243 8294 or visit the car park office.

Times Square Car Park Times Square Car Park

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The door is 1150mm wide.
The main door is sliding and automatic.
Life Science Centre main entrance

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 3 lifts.
You can get a lift to all floors.

Lift in main entrance, from ground floor to picnic area

The lift is a platform lift.
The lift door is 950mm wide.
The lift is 950mm wide. The lift is 1450mm deep.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.

Brain Zone lift

The lift is a platform lift.
The lift door is 950mm wide.
The lift is 950mm wide. The lift is 1450mm deep.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.

Lift from ground floor to upper floor, Cafe to Young Explorers' Zone

The lift is a platform lift.
The lift door is 950mm wide.
The lift is 950mm wide. The lift is 1450mm deep.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.

Ticket/ information desk

Main reception desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The desk has a low section.
Life Reception Area

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
We have a designated quiet space.

Brain Zone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
Videos have subtitles.

Explore what makes you 'you'. Find out how your brain works and how it controls so many of your body's functions - often without you even realising it.

Your brain is the most amazing and mysterious thing about you - and something that you probably take for granted. The Brain Zone lets you understand what's going on inside your head through exciting, fun activities and exhibits.

Most of our videos have no narration so don’t have subtitles. Where there are spoken words they are accompanied by subtitles. The Real Brain display is accompanied by an audio presentation with speech and music. The spoken words are printed on panels around the main display.

We design our exhibitions to maintain a pathway of no less than 1200mm. Our building has some routes that are narrower (due to architectural quirks) but these are not primary routes to any part of the Centre.

Brain Zone Brain Zone Brain Zone Brain Zone

Experiment Zone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a lift.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

In the Experiment Zone - YOU are the scientist! Ever wondered what it's like to be a real scientist? Find out in the Experiment Zone.

Carry out practical experiments using real tools and materials.

Work on your own, in a team, or enlist the help of a friendly Science Explainer.

Meet real-life working scientists. See them at work and ask questions.

Help in actual research projects taking place in the region's universities.

The Experiment Zone is for ages 7+, we restrict access to under 7s for safety reasons. Under 14s MUST be supervised by an adult.

Doorways throughout the Scienc Centre vary, but are a minimum of 1200mm. The Experiment Zone has a single entrance door and a single exit door.

Seating can be made available on request in the Experiment Zone, but we don’t put seats in this area as a matter of course because it can be a hazard when people are working with chemicals. (e.g. pouring liquids when seated risks spillages onto your lap). This policy is in line with professional and school labs.

We design our exhibitions to maintain a pathway of no less than 1200mm. Our building has some routes that are narrower (due to architectural quirks) but these are not primary routes to any part of the Centre.

Experiment Zone Experiment Zone Experiment Zone

Science Theatre

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a lift.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
There is a hearing loop.

Awesome experiments and audience participation help to unravel science fact from science fiction in our fun, family-friendly shows.

Shows change regularly and cover all sorts of science themes like dinosaurs, the weather, aerodynamics (with fake flying pigs as test pilots), reactions, chain reactions... the list goes on!

The Science Theatre is equipped with an analogue induction loop.

Doorways vary but are a minimum of 1200mm. The lower level of the Science Theatre has single doors. The  upper level of the Science Theatre has double doors.

Science Theatre Science Theatre Science Theatre

Space Zone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

Space Zone is the newest permanent exhibition in Life Science Centre. Be inspired by the wonders of the Universe and how space exploration impacts our everyday lives.

Space Zone brings space close to home: find out how we’re already using space technology in our everyday lives and discover how the future of space exploration is being shaped right here in the north east of England.

Highlights include:

Launch your own rocket.

Climb inside a mock-up model of part of the International Space Station.

Watch shows on a digital globe displaying Earth, Moon and planetary satellite imagery.

Touch a genuine Moon rock.

Plus, check out the biggest planetarium in the north of England that features a variety of shows, including a presenter-led tour of the night sky.

 

It can be a bit dark, and may have extra lighting, sounds and other effects.

We design our exhibitions to maintain a pathway of no less than 1200mm. Our building has some routes that are narrower (due to architectural quirks) but these are not primary routes to any part of the Centre.

Space Zone entrance area Space Zone mission control area Space Zone International Space Station area Space Zone The Sphere area

Planetarium

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
There is a hearing loop.

Life Science Centre is home to the North’s biggest and best planetarium.

Here, the skies are darker, the stars are brighter, the planets are so clearly defined, it looks like you could reach out and touch them.

We offer a mix of traditional planetarium shows and creative animated films, including films especially for under 7s. We also have a range of special curriculum-linked planetarium workshops for schools and other groups.

Doorways vary but are a minimum of 1200mm. The planetarium has double doors at the entrance and exit.

Planetarium Planetarium Planetarium

Young Explorers' Zone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a lift.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

A hands-on area at Life for under 7s.

Are you looking for exciting activities to enjoy with your little ones? Visit Life’s Young Explorers' Zone, specially designed for under 7s.

This hands-on area lets children explore a garden with a tree house, a shop, a cafe, a kitchen and a recycling centre. They can grow vegetables, prepare a meal, visit a cafe and sort out the rubbish for recycling. Everyday activities for grown-ups, but all new when you’re 4!

It’s an exciting, stimulating and safe world where children get to take charge, learn new things and have fun.

There's also a small soft play area – a perfect space for little ones to chill out between adventures.​

We design our exhibitions to maintain a pathway of no less than 1200mm. Our building has some routes that are narrower (due to architectural quirks) but these are not primary routes to any part of the Centre.

Young Explorers' Zone Young Explorers' Zone Young Explorers' Zone

The Making Studios

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

In the Making Studios, a range of interactive exhibits from selfie booths to poetry robots will help you tap into your inner creativity, while the studio spaces provide an opportunity to try your hand at a variety of hands-on making activities – covering everything from sewing and soldering, to cardboard construction and coding. 

Schoolchildren in Making Studios Schoolchildren in Making Studios Making Studios

Public toilet

Reception area toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 920mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right.
There is 1350mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 450mm high. The toilets have handrails.

All toilets have twist locks, lateral transfer space and fitted grab rails (both fixed and drop down varieties).
A key is not required to lock any of the toilets.
The sinks in all four toilets are fitted with lever type taps and hand dryers.
No dispensers are higher than 100cm from the floor.
All four toilets have an emergency alarm.
Baby change facilities are available in each of these toilets.

Separate Changing Places in the same corridor as the public toilets.

Public toilet

Life Cafe Toilets x 2

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 920mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right.
There is 1400mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 450mm high. The toilets have handrails.

If larger changing facilities are required please speak to a member of staff at reception.

All toilets have twist locks, lateral transfer space and fitted grab rails (both fixed and drop down varieties).
A key is not required to lock any of the toilets.
The sinks in all four toilets are fitted with lever type taps and hand dryers.
No dispensers are higher than 100cm from the floor.
All four toilets have an emergency alarm.
Baby change facilities are available in each of these toilets.

Public toilet

Mezzanine toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.
There is a lift.
The toilet door is 920mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right.
There is 1500mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 450mm high. The toilets have handrails.

If larger changing facilities are required please speak to a member of staff at reception.

All toilets have twist locks, lateral transfer space and fitted grab rails (both fixed and drop down varieties).
A key is not required to lock any of the toilets.
The sinks in all four toilets are fitted with lever type taps and hand dryers.
No dispensers are higher than 100cm from the floor.
All four toilets have an emergency alarm.
Baby change facilities are available in each of these toilets.

Shop

Gift Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access.
Life gift shop

Place to eat and drink

Life Café

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. To get to a table, there are no steps.
The dining area is self-service. There is background music sometimes.
The table and plates have high colour contrast.
We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free) and nut free specific diets.

Allergen sheets are produced daily for the café to give accurate information to customers.

Life Cafe

Place to eat and drink

Times Square Café

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. To get to a table, there are no steps.
The dining area is self-service. There is background music sometimes.
The table and plates have high colour contrast.
We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free) and nut free specific diets.

Allergen sheets are produced daily for the café to give accurate information to customers.

Times Square Café Times Square Café Times Square Café

Indoor packed lunch area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
Indoor packed lunch area

Getting around outside

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. We have a hearing loop in Reception, in the Planetarium and Science Theatre.
For a list of more items, please go to https://www.life.org.uk/access.
We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

If a standard plug socket is needed to charge a mobility scooter or battery powered wheelchair this can be made available by asking at reception.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

We have designated refuge areas. In an emergency, fire wardens will check these before evacuating and communicate with Duty Manager via radio. We have two Evac Chairs in the Science Centre.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have information in large print.
Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.