Allow a substantial half-day when visiting as a family. A day ticket without a donation costs £21.20 ≈ €25.32 per adult and £14.50 ≈ €17.32 per child aged 2–15. The planetarium is an extra £4.00 ≈ €4.78 at the standard rate; under-sixes can only attend 2D shows.
What you do at We The Curious
At We The Curious, handle objects, observe effects and move between installations as questions arise. Families who prefer trying things together to looking at display after display find a very different visit from M Shed or SS Great Britain.
Spaces explore light, the body, sound, air and food, among other subjects. Some exhibits give immediate results; others invite investigation and understanding. The point is to let a child repeat an experiment they enjoy. A forced march to every installation would remove much of the pleasure.
The main gallery centres on Project What If, informed by residents’ questions. Other spaces extend the visit through flight, food, animation, illusions and bodily reactions. Discover the day’s activities and demonstrations on site according to the programme; sessions may vary by date.
Who will enjoy We The Curious?
The centre has things for several ages, but the pace should follow your group. With young children, a few installations and a break may suffice. For experiment-loving children, two or three hours pass quickly; a substantial half-day lets you eat lunch without rushing what comes next.
Adults without children can also enjoy the hands-on exhibits and planetarium. For a first Bristol weekend focused on quays, Clifton and street art, I recommend We The Curious if science appeals: it needs time and a substantial share of the trip budget.
Under-twelves must stay accompanied in the centre and planetarium. Under-twos enter free, but also book them a ticket so their place is counted. With toddlers, check planetarium show conditions before choosing too.
The planetarium: an extra ticket
The day ticket does not automatically include a planetarium show. Add your desired show when booking, according to time and audience age. The standard supplement is £4.00 ≈ €4.78 per person; a concession rate of £3.00 ≈ €3.58 is available. Children aged 0–1 can attend suitable shows free, with a reserved place.
Before age six, only 2D shows are accessible. When choosing, check the show and recommended age, not just available time. An astronomy show may be the day’s highlight for an enthusiastic child; it remains optional for enjoying gallery experiments.
If you really want the planetarium, book seats with admission. Places sometimes remain on the day, but it is better not to make your day depend on them. Adult evenings and events have their own tickets and conditions.
How much does a visit cost?
| Ticket | Price without a donation |
|---|---|
| Adult, aged 16 and over | £21.20 ≈ €25.32 |
| Child, aged 2–15 | £14.50 ≈ €17.32 |
| Child, aged 0–1 | Free, booking required |
| Planetarium, standard supplement | £4.00 ≈ €4.78 per person |
| Adult late entry | £11.40 ≈ €13.62 |
| Child late entry, aged 2–15 | £8.00 ≈ €9.55 |
For two adults and two paying children, day admission totals £71.40 ≈ €85.28, or £87.40 ≈ €104.39 if all four add a standard-rate show. These amounts exclude food and transport. At this budget, I recommend making it the day’s main family outing rather than adding several paid tickets.
Tickets with a donation and open concession rates are offered. Late entry applies from 3pm at weekends and during school holidays, and from 2pm on term-time weekdays. You pay less but have less time on site; for a full first visit, a day ticket remains more comfortable.
We The Curious and its planetarium
Choose your day and add an astronomy show suited to your group if you want to attend.
How should you organise your time there?
For a morning visit, arrive around opening and start with experiments that most appeal to your group. Put any planetarium show at a time when children still have attention to give. A lunch break then avoids abandoning some galleries simply because everyone is hungry.
The ticket allows leaving and returning during the day if you keep your tickets. Bring food and use the foyer picnic space; school groups may use it on weekdays. The café offers an on-site break; in fine weather, you can also go onto Millennium Square or the nearby harbourside.
Opening hours and booking
Outside local school holidays, the centre usually opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. During Bristol school holidays and the relevant public holidays, it opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00. It closes from 24 to 26 December. Bristol’s holiday dates may differ from those where you live.
Booking ahead is particularly useful at weekends, during holidays and on rainy days. We The Curious limits admission numbers and can sell out. For a rainy Bristol day, therefore plan the centre in advance; free central museums offer alternatives.
Getting to Millennium Square
We The Curious is at One Millennium Square on Anchor Road, in the harbour area. From the centre, walk via the quays or College Green depending on your start. It combines easily with a short walk to Prince Street Bridge and Wapping Wharf, but a major science visit leaves little time for SS Great Britain the same day.
For access from your accommodation, the Bristol map locates the centre and waterside crossings. A car park lies beneath Millennium Square; the venue is in Bristol’s Clean Air Zone, worth considering if driving.
Noise, quiet spaces and accessibility
The centre can be lively: sounds, lights and groups are part of the atmosphere. A Quiet Room and ear defenders to borrow can help with a break. Adapted mornings also run on certain dates. Check their calendar: you cannot expect a quiet opening every day.
The access and support page details facilities, sensory needs and companion tickets. Our Bristol with children guide then suggests other outings to alternate this major indoor activity with lighter walks.