Eureka! Science + Discovery

About the museum

The building beside the Mersey ferry terminal at Seacombe first opened in 2005 as Spaceport, a space-themed visitor attraction with interactive exhibits and a planetarium. Falling visitor numbers and rising running costs led to its closure being announced in 2019, and the owner, Merseytravel, decided to re-use the building for a new science attraction.

Eureka! Science + Discovery opened there on 11 November 2022. It is a second site of Eureka!, the national children's museum in Halifax, and focuses on play-based learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths for visitors from babies up to the age of 14.

The centre is arranged in five areas. Bodies looks at how the human body works, Homes asks visitors to rethink everyday objects and spaces, and Nature explores the environment, with a giant tree to climb and a turbine to power. The Burrow is an imagination playground for children aged up to 7, and Make Create is a workshop space for designing and building. The ferry from Liverpool Pier Head stops next to the building.

Highlights

• Five zones: Bodies, Homes, Nature, The Burrow and Make Create
• Giant tree to climb and a turbine to power in the Nature zone
• The Burrow, a nature-themed play area for ages 0 to 7
• Relaxed sessions for visitors with special educational needs
• Mersey ferry stops beside the building

Permanent exhibition

• Bodies, Homes, Nature, The Burrow and Make Create – Five interactive areas covering the human body, everyday objects, the natural world, a play space for the youngest children, and a making workshop.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Eureka!

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are for online booking; tickets at the door cost more and may be unavailable at busy times. Every person needs a ticket, but babies under 1 are free. The first paid visit includes a free annual pass for twelve months.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All-access toilets are in the Hub, Nature and the Burrow, and a Changing Places toilet is on the concourse of the ferry terminal building. A quiet chill-out room, sensory bags, ear defenders, a sunflower lanyard scheme and loan wheelchairs and hearing loops are available from the Hub or on request. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Aimed at families with children aged 0 to 14. Baby changing is in the all-access toilets in the Burrow and on the first floor. Programmes include baby sessions, relaxed sessions for visitors with special needs and school holiday events.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Discovery Café, run by Crosby Fresh, is in the ferry terminal next door and is open daily 10:00 to 16:00; a hand stamp lets visitors return to Eureka!. A Coffee Corner in the Hub sells drinks, snacks and ice cream. Indoor and outdoor picnic areas are available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit