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Planning your visit

On the day of your visit:

Opening times

At-Bristol is open every day except 24, 25 and 26 December. 

  • 10am-6pm on weekends, bank holidays and daily during Bristol school holidays
  • 10am-5pm on weekdays (Bristol schools term-time only)

Find out more about what you'll find when you visit At-Bristol

Education rates (per student):

  • Educational groups: £4.45
  • Workshops: from £2
  • School shows: £1
  • Nursery groups: £3.50
  • Planetarium shows: Free with a ticket to At-Bristol (subject to availability)

Educational rates and services are available weekdays in term-time, 10am to 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm).

The education and nursery group rates are available to formal education groups of ten or more students under the age of 21 including schools, colleges home educators and social services.

Proof of eligibility for these special rates is required (NUS card, letter from LEA, relevant membership certificates). Home educators without such valid forms of eligibility must contact At-Bristol in advance of your visit to speak with a Duty Manager.

Workshops and shows are available to groups of 12 or more.

Accompanying adults

  • KS3 and KS2: One accompanying adult free with every 10 students
  • KS1: One accompanying adult free with every five students
  • Pre-school and groups with special educational needs: One accompanying adult free with every three students 
  • Additional accompanying adults are charged the student rate of £4.45

please note that, as of 1st September 2010, the ratios for KS1 has changed

Free planning visits

Teachers and visit leaders are welcome to come for a planning visit to At-Bristol to see the exhibitions and the Planetarium at any time.

For free admission, simply bring along headed paper from your school, signed by your headteacher.

Risk assessment

All buildings, exhibits, workshops and activities within At-Bristol have been fully risk assessed. Download our health and safety statement

Plan your day

To make the most of your visit download our planning your day information sheet

Learning Outcomes

Please view our learning outcomes which have been created for schools and groups. Download our learning outcomes

Guidance Notes

These guidance notes are for teachers and group leaders which answer frequently asked questions such as booking and payment information, and information on the day of your visit. Download our guidance notes

Annual teachers' event

Annual teachers' events allow teachers and visit leaders to sample what At-Bristol has to offer, including exhibitions, workshops, activities and the planetarium, and the opportunity to discuss your students’ needs with members of our Learning team.

Evenings run from 4.30pm to 6.30pm and dates are as follows:

  • Thursday 17 June 2010

To book your place, please call 0845 345 3344 or email the education team.

Special educational needs

At-Bristol is committed to supporting visits for those with special educational needs. For further details and to discuss any requirements at time of booking, please call 0845 345 3344, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays); or email the education team

Accessibility

At-Bristol is fully accessible to wheelchair users, including available spaces in the Planetarium (pre-booking is advised) and wheelchairs are available on-site upon request.

Payment

At-Bristol will invoice your organisation once your booking has been made and full payment must be received on or before the day. No refunds are given but complimentary tickets for At-Bristol will be issued if your group does not use all of its pre-booked places. Cheques should be made payable to At-Bristol Ltd.

School engagement programme

At-Bristol’s school engagement programme aims to help schools and groups that are unable to visit because of social or economic barriers. Please email the education team or contact us on 0845 345 3344 for further details or to request an application form.

On the day

Drop-off and parking

Coaches and minibuses should drop-off their visitors next to Millennium Square. Coaches will then be directed to one of the Council coach parking sites allocated for use by At-Bristol. Limited on-site parking is available for minibuses and special educational needs groups, but this must be arranged at the time of booking as places are limited.

Get directions to visit At-Bristol

Coats and bags

Trolleys for coats and bags (but not valuables) are provided. At-Bristol will allocate each group a trolley at the time of arrival and this can be accessed for lunch.

Lunches

At-Bristol has two stunning pedestrian squares that are the ideal site for picnics. Some lunch spaces are available within the building but these are limited. Priority is given to groups whose visits fall between 12pm and 2pm, groups with younger children and those with special educational needs. Lunch spaces are allocated upon arrival.

Shop

At-Bristol’s shop sells a range of educational toys, books and ‘pocket money’ souvenirs.

If you are planning to visit the shop, please remember to include this in your schedule, or alternatively, pre-order your goody bags when booking.

£1 Goody Bag
1 At-Bristol postcard
1 Jet Ball
1 At-Bristol Mini Grip Pen

£2 Goody Bag
1 At-Bristol postcard
1 At-Bristol Solar Panel Keyring
1 Jet Ball

£3 Goody Bag
1 At-Bristol postcard
1 Jet Ball
1 At-Bristol Solar Panel Keyring
1 At-Bristol frosted pen

  • Numbers can be changed on the day if necessary
  • Payment will need to be made separately through the shop
  • Products and design of postcard may vary

If you have any special requirements or themes-please let us know, and we will do our best to create a goody bag just for you!

To order please call 0845 345 3344 or e-mail information@at-bristol.org.uk

Further information

For further information or to make a booking, please call 0845 345 3344, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays); or email the education team 

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Science Fact

Cats can see clearly in one-sixth the amount of light we humans would need