Techniquest

Over het museum

Techniquest was founded in 1986 by Professor John Beetlestone and colleagues from Cardiff University. Its first home was a former gas showroom in the centre of Cardiff, opposite Cardiff Castle. After a period in a pre-fabricated building in Cardiff Bay, it moved in 1995 to its present site on the Cardiff Bay waterfront, a former heavy engineering plant.

The new building, designed around the framework of the original plant by Paul Koralek of ABK Architects, made it the first purpose-built science centre in the UK. Education programmes for schools began in the late 1980s, and some of its exhibits received Millennium Product status from the Design Council in 1999. The Science Capital extension, added in 2020, brought more space and new exhibits.

Today visitors can explore over 100 hands-on exhibits across several floors. The newer Science Capital area has five zones on space, environment, chemistry, world issues and biomedical science, while the Retro side keeps classic exhibits such as a water area, a giant piano and a plasma sphere. Other parts of the building include a Mini Metro Play Zone for under-7s, a Create & Shape Zone, a 360-degree digital planetarium, a science theatre for live shows and the KLA Lab for workshops. Techniquest is a registered charity and is funded mainly by ticket sales, supported by grants and donations for its school work.

Hoogtepunten

• Over 100 hands-on science exhibits
• Science Capital zones on space, environment, chemistry, world issues and biomedical science
• 360-degree digital planetarium
• Live science shows in the science theatre
• Hurricane experience, large silver slide and sensory garden
• Mini Metro Play Zone for children under 7

Vaste collectie

• Science Capital – Five zones on space, environment, chemistry, world issues and biomedical science with interactive exhibits.
• Retro side – Classic Techniquest exhibits such as a water area, a giant piano and a plasma sphere, suited to younger children.
• Planetarium – A 360-degree digital planetarium with shows about stars and space.

Opgericht

1986

Beheerder

Techniquest (registered charity no. 517722)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The prices shown are the standard prices. A “with donation” option adds about 10 per cent (adult £17.00, child and concession £15.00, family £58.00), which lets the charity claim Gift Aid. Annual passes are available, a Premium Pass for any time of year and an Off-Peak Pass for quieter days. Shows, planetarium sessions and KLA Lab workshops can be added when booking.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The whole exhibition area is step-free, with one lift between the ground and first floors and another between the first and second floors. Accessible toilets are on all floors. Wheelchairs can be borrowed on arrival, subject to availability. The planetarium has space for one wheelchair user per show, the KLA Lab for two and the science theatre for two. Some exhibits are not wheelchair accessible, so visitors should call ahead. There is a hearing loop at the front desk and assistance dogs are welcome. Relaxed sessions are held on the first Sunday morning of the month, and sensory bags with ear defenders and a sensory map can be borrowed from the front desk for a refundable £20 deposit. The Pod is a small ground-floor room for time out. Essential carers or personal assistants are admitted free.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte
• Speeltuin / speelhoek
• Kinderfeestjes

The Mini Metro Play Zone is for children under 7, and the Retro side suits younger children. Toddler Days run monthly in term time for under-3s. Under-3s are admitted free. There are three baby-changing spaces on the ground floor, a free buggy park and cloakroom, and a private room called The Pod for breastfeeding. Birthday parties for up to 24 children aged 3 to 15 are offered in four themes.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The what3words address of the main entrance is fairly.occupy.trucks. Techniquest is near the start of the Taff Trail, and bicycle storage is by the main entrance.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Garderobe
• Kluisjes

Coffee Mania café next to the main entrance (no ticket needed) serving snacks, children’s packed lunches, cakes and drinks, including vegan and gluten-free options. A gift shop and a picnic area are on site. Food and drink are generally not allowed on the main exhibition floor. A free cloakroom, lockers and a buggy park are on the ground floor.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

Tot 800 personen.

Spaces include the exhibition floors, the science theatre (80 to 100 people), the planetarium, the KLA Lab (32 guests) and the Learning Hub (up to 70 theatre style). Conferences, dinners, networking events, parties and VIP after-hours visits are offered.

Je bezoek plannen