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.
Level access
Hearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
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
Parking
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.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Getting around inside
Lift
Lift in main entrance, from ground floor to picnic area
Brain Zone lift
Lift from ground floor to upper floor, Cafe to Young Explorers' Zone
Ticket/ information desk
Main reception desk
Things to See and Do
Brain Zone
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.
Experiment Zone
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.
Science Theatre
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.
Space Zone
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.
Planetarium
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.
Young Explorers' Zone
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.
The Making Studios
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.
Public toilet
Reception area toilet
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
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
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
Place to eat and drink
Life Café
Allergen sheets are produced daily for the café to give accurate information to customers.
Place to eat and drink
Times Square Café
Allergen sheets are produced daily for the café to give accurate information to customers.
Indoor packed lunch area
Getting around outside
Customer care support
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 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