Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Hands-on museum for children up to 11 and their families in Halifax, with interactive galleries, a café and extensive play areas.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Eureka! was founded by the philanthropist Vivien Duffield, who registered it as a charity in 1985 after visiting a children’s museum in Boston. It was built on former railway land beside Halifax station, a site suggested by the then Prince of Wales to help regenerate the town. The building was designed by Ken Moth of Building Design Partnership, and the museum opened on 9 July 1992.
The museum is designed for children aged up to 11 and their families, and its exhibits are meant to be touched and tried out. The entrance hall features the Archimedes display created by Tim Hunkin. The All About Me gallery opened in March 2013 with lead funding from the Wellcome Trust, and the flexible Spark Gallery opened in July 2017 for the museum’s 25th anniversary.
Today the galleries include areas for under-5s such as Desert Discovery and SoundGarden, as well as SoundSpace, Living and Working Together, a theatre, a café and a gift shop. Eureka! is an educational charity.
Highlights
- Hands-on galleries for children aged 0 to 11
- Under-5s galleries Desert Discovery and SoundGarden
- All About Me gallery
- Spark Gallery for changing exhibitions
- Right beside Halifax railway station
Permanent exhibitions
- All About Me – A gallery opened in 2013 with lead funding from the Wellcome Trust.
- Desert Discovery – A gallery designed for children under 5.
- Spark Gallery – A flexible exhibition space opened in 2017 for the museum’s 25th anniversary.
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- Eureka! (educational charity)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £18.95 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £18.95free up to age 0 · Children aged 3 and over pay the full price; toddlers aged 1 to 2 pay a lower price and babies under 1 are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Essential carers are not charged admission when booked as an Essential Carer ticket with proof of carer status. Max Card holders get free admission for one adult and one child per card. |
| Groups (10+ people) | £10.80 per personGroup rate per child aged 3 to 11 (£5.40 for ages 1 to 2) for groups of 10 or more children. |
| Toddler (aged 1 to 2), online | £8.45Walk-up price £10.45. |
| Adult or child (aged 3 and over), walk-up | £20.95Online price £18.95. |
| Multi Site Pass | £25Per person; for Eureka! in Halifax and Eureka! Science + Discovery in the Wirral. |
Prices shown are the lower online prices. The first paid visit includes a free Annual Pass for 12 months of unlimited visits. Blue Badge holders park free in the car park.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The main entrance is level and a lift connects the two floors. All-access toilets are on both floors, and a Changing Places toilet is on the ground floor. Induction loops are fitted at the admissions tills, shop, café, information desk and throughout the galleries. Wheelchairs can be borrowed or reserved by phone. A Chill Out room is available on request, ear defenders can be borrowed, and sensory bags can be reserved at least 48 hours ahead. BSL-interpreted and subtitled videos are shown around the museum, and relaxed SENDays run on selected dates. Disabled parking is about 50 metres from the main entrance.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 0 |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
The museum is designed for children aged up to 11 and their families, with galleries for under-5s (Desert Discovery and SoundGarden). Buggy parks are on both floors. Every toilet has baby changing, and there is a separate baby changing and feeding room upstairs on the balcony. Picnics are possible in the lunch areas and outdoors in good weather.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Halifax Bus Station · 5-min walk
The museum is right next to Halifax railway station and about a 5-minute walk from Halifax Bus Station.
By car
Paid parking
Pay-and-display car park next to the museum: £4.00 for up to 3 hours, £6.00 for up to 6 hours, £8.00 for up to 12 hours. Blue Badge holders park free. Coaches must be booked in advance.
- Accessible parking
By car, leave the M62 at junction 24, follow the A629 to Halifax and then the brown tourist signs.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Lockers: not available
The café serves sandwiches, salads and hot and cold drinks, and visitors can eat packed lunches in designated lunch areas. There are no lockers; coat rails stand at the end of SoundSpace and items are left at the owner’s risk.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A visit usually takes 2 to 4 hours, with no time limit. Adults cannot visit without children unless agreed with the Visitor Services team at least a week ahead. Group bookings are not accepted during February and October half term. Café visits are included in your timeslot. |
