If you’ve ever walked along Bristol’s harbourside, you’ve probably noticed the huge mirrored sphere glinting in the sunshine. That’s not just a piece of art — it’s the Planetarium at We The Curious, Bristol’s incredible hands-on science museum.

We visited at the end of the Easter holidays and it turned out to be one of the best family days out we’ve had in Bristol. It’s the sort of place where kids can explore, experiment and get genuinely curious about how the world works. And honestly, adults might find themselves just as fascinated as the children.

A brilliant hands-on science museum

We The Curious, formerly known as At-Bristol, sits right on Millennium Square overlooking the water. It’s hard to miss thanks to that iconic giant mirror ball. Inside, it’s packed with over 250 interactive exhibits across two floors.

From the moment we stepped in, it was clear this isn’t your average museum. Nothing is behind glass or out of reach — instead, you’re encouraged to touch, play and discover. The motto on their website sums it up perfectly: “Less shhh and more playful.” 

We’d been meaning to visit for years but waited until both our children were old enough to get properly involved. Reuben had just turned three and Bella was five, and this visit turned out to be perfect for their ages. They could touch everything, ask questions and experiment freely.

The Planetarium experience

One of the highlights of our day was definitely the Space Explorers show inside the Planetarium. Tickets cost a little extra — about £10 more for a family of four — but it’s completely worth it 

At first, Bella wasn’t sure about going inside. The big mirrored dome looked mysterious and she hesitated. But once the lights dimmed and the stars began to swirl above us, she was mesmerised.

We travelled through space, explored planets and learnt about the solar system on a huge curved dome screen above our heads. Both kids were wide-eyed the entire time. It’s hard not to be amazed — it really feels like you’re floating among the stars.

For anyone visiting, the Planetarium is a must. It’s one of the most immersive science experiences you can find in the UK and worth every penny of the upgrade.

Family tickets and discounts 

Tickets to We The Curious Bristol aren’t the cheapest, with family admission around £45 plus the Planetarium add-on. But it’s an all-day experience and there’s so much to see that you definitely get value for money.

We paid with Gift Aid, which gave us £5 in vouchers to spend in the café or shop. Sadly, we didn’t remember until we were home! Still, it’s a nice little bonus if you plan ahead.

If you’re looking for We The Curious discounts, it’s worth checking their official website or local attraction passes, as they sometimes offer seasonal deals or joint tickets with nearby attractions.

What to expect inside 

Once you’re through the doors, there’s something to discover around every corner. Exhibits range from the human body and natural world to engineering, technology and food. Kids can see how their heartbeat looks on a screen, experiment with magnets, or build towers and bridges using giant blocks.

The upstairs area feels more playful and perfect for younger children. There were giant bubbles, soft play elements, and a robot arm that builds towers — which Reuben couldn’t get enough of! Downstairs had more educational and thought-provoking exhibits that older kids and adults might find especially interesting.

We didn’t manage to see everything because our children were so captivated by each section, but that just gives us an excuse to return.

Is We The Curious good for adults? 

Absolutely — and this is a question people often ask. While it’s designed with families in mind, adults can have a great time too. It’s a space that invites curiosity, and that doesn’t have an age limit.

There’s so much to learn, from space exploration to human biology, and the interactive nature makes it enjoyable no matter your age. You’ll often see groups of adults experimenting with the same enthusiasm as the kids!

If you’re someone who loves learning how things work or you’re simply after an interesting rainy-day activity in Bristol, We The Curious ticks every box.

What age range is We The Curious for? 

We found it ideal for children aged three and up. Younger children can still enjoy the bright colours and sensory play, but ages five to ten probably get the most out of the exhibits.

There’s plenty for teens too, with more challenging experiments and tech-based activities downstairs. It’s one of those rare places where the whole family — from toddlers to grandparents — can genuinely find something to enjoy.

Food, facilities and accessibility

There’s a bright and welcoming café on-site if you fancy grabbing lunch, but you can also bring your own food. We loved that they have a picnic area, so you don’t feel pressured to buy food if you’d rather pack a healthy lunch from home.

On this visit, we popped out halfway through the day to explore the harbourside and found a lovely vegan pizza place nearby before returning to the museum. It’s great that you’re allowed to come and go throughout the day, especially on sunny afternoons.

The building itself is very accessible with wide open spaces, two lifts, and plenty of seating. Even on a busy school holiday visit, the toilets were clean and queue-free — always a big plus for family days out.

A museum that encourages curiosity 

What we loved most about We The Curious is that it flips the idea of a museum on its head. Instead of being told not to touch, you’re actively encouraged to interact, laugh and explore.

Kids can get hands-on with everything — pressing buttons, turning wheels, testing reactions and taking photos as they go. It’s learning disguised as fun, and that’s what makes it such a special place.

Even as adults, we came away having learnt new things and feeling genuinely inspired. It’s a celebration of science, creativity and curiosity all under one roof.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a fun, educational day out in Bristol that the whole family will love, We The Curious is one of the best choices around. It’s exciting, interactive and perfectly designed to spark curiosity in kids and adults alike.

You can easily spend an entire day exploring, taking a break by the harbour, then diving back in for more experiments and exhibits. 

We’ll definitely return when our children are a bit older — there’s so much more for them to discover. Until then, we’re grateful for such a brilliant, family-friendly science museum right in the heart of Bristol.

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