We The Curious tickets cost £21.20 for an adult (16+) and £14.50 for a child (2-15) if you book without a donation, or £23.40 and £16.00 with Gift Aid added. Under-2s and members go free. It's open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday in term time, and daily during Bristol school holidays and bank holidays, closed only 24-26 December. Here's what you actually get for that, and how to add the planetarium.
Where it is and how to get there
We The Curious sits at One Millennium Square, Anchor Road, Harbourside, BS1 5DB, a flat 10 to 15-minute walk from Temple Meads or the city centre, right on the Harbourside next to the Create Centre and a short stroll from the SS Great Britain and M Shed. If you're driving, the venue runs its own Millennium Square Car Park directly underneath the building (use BS1 5LL in your sat nav to find it), but the site sits inside Bristol's Clean Air Zone, so check whether your vehicle incurs a charge before you set off; see our Bristol Clean Air Zone guide for the current rules.
Ticket prices
| Ticket | Without donation | With Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | £21.20 | £23.40 |
| Child (2-15) | £14.50 | £16.00 |
| Adult, open concession | £15.90 | £17.60 |
| Child, open concession | £10.80 | £12.00 |
| Age 0-1 | Free | Free |
| Planetarium add-on (per ticket) | £4.00 | - |
All-day tickets cover more than 200 exhibits and a daily programme of activities. Planetarium shows cost an extra £4 per ticket (£3 at the open concession rate) and are worth adding when you book, since seats can sell out, especially in school holidays. We The Curious is a registered educational charity, so a donation ticket with Gift Aid gets the government to add an extra 25% on top at no cost to you, which is worth choosing if you can.
What's inside
Expect genuinely hands-on science rather than a look-but-don't-touch museum. The building holds the UK's only 3D planetarium, interactive exhibits spread over multiple floors, and a daily programme of live demonstrations and shows. It's aimed squarely at curious kids and adults rather than being a purely academic space, which is why it works well alongside other Harbourside stops on a family day out; see our things to do in Bristol guide for what else is nearby.
Planetarium rules worth knowing
Children under 6 can't attend 3D planetarium shows for eye health reasons, though under-6s can still go to 2D shows. Under-1s go free but still need a booked seat, since the venue manages capacity by headcount, not just paying tickets.
Booking ahead
School holidays and bank holidays are the busiest times and can sell out, so book online in advance rather than turning up on the day, especially if you want a specific planetarium slot. If you do turn up without a booking, the front desk can sometimes fit you in, but it's not guaranteed.
Eating and facilities
The Double Puc Café inside serves coffee and freshly prepared vegetarian food, or you're welcome to bring your own lunch. The venue has accessible facilities throughout and describes itself as aiming to be welcoming and accessible for all visitors; if you need a personal assistant ticket, it's best to contact the booking team ahead of your visit so they can guarantee availability.
Is it worth it?
For a family with curious kids, yes, the hands-on exhibits and the planetarium are genuinely different from a standard museum visit, and the Harbourside location means you can pair it easily with the SS Great Britain, M Shed or a harbour ferry ride the same day. If you're weighing it against Bristol's other paid attractions, our best museums and galleries in Bristol guide puts it in context alongside the free options.