Visitor Information
The Science Oxford Centre is open for Family Days every Saturday as well as our regular programme of STEM Clubs. Please see What’s On to book events and activities at the Centre.
All tickets to the Science Oxford Centre include access to the woodland and outdoor areas as well as the cafe from 10am–5pm (cafe until 4pm). See below for Family Day ticket pricing. View our Centre map and floorpan here.
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Getting here
We are based in Headington, Oxford. Please check your route via Google directions before you set off.
Our address is: Science Oxford Centre, Quarry Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 8SB
Oxford is a city of cyclists so why not jump on your bike and cycle to us! We have plenty of cycle parking available on site. Or, if you prefer the ground beneath your feet, enjoy your walk through the suburb of Headington.
Parking is only available at the Science Oxford Centre on weekends, on a first-come, first-served basis. For weekday events, only disabled parking is available on site.
There is alternative parking in the area, including limited 2-hour and 3-hour free parking available on Quarry Road. If you are travelling far, we recommend you visit on a Saturday when parking is more available.
There a various taxi companies operating in the Oxford area, and include black cabs from around the city centre and train station. To book your journey in, here are two options: Headington Taxis 001 OR Royal Cars
Nearest stop/service: Stagecoach 10 bus service.
Also, stops on Windmill Road (10–15 min walk) or Old Road/Girdlestone Road (12 min walk) are serviced by buses coming in all directions, including Thornhill Park & Ride (400 and 700); Oxford Airport, Oxford Parkway Train Station, Summertown and Marston (700); Abingdon, Cumnor, Botley, Oxford Train Station and Oxford city centre (15); Cowley and Temple Cowley (10 or U5) and the ST1 (which stops at Windmill Rd).
The Science Oxford Centre is in The Oxford Bus Company’s City Zone and Oxford Smart Zone.
Thornhill Park & Ride: Buses 400 (to Headington shops) and 700 (to Headington shops and Windmill Road) run every 30 minutes then either a 15 min walk or 9 minutes by bike.
Oxford Parkway Park & Ride: Bus 700 runs every 30 minutes to Windmill Road
Practical Information
Key information about your visit to the Science Oxford Centre.
A Family Day visit to the Science Oxford Centre ticket price includes 2-hours in the Exploration Zone and self-guided access to the woodland and Explorer Backpacks from 10am–5pm.
- £7.50 per ticket (one ticket per person; Under 3s can get free tickets)
A Club visit to the Science Oxford Centre includes a 90-minute club session in the Classroom and self-guided access to the woodland and Explorer Backpacks from 10am–5pm.
- £10 per club ticket (for one child + accompanying adult)
For information on our terms and conditions visit here.
Our skilled staff ensure that every child can access the activities and differentiate to engage all children. If your child has specific additional needs which you would like to discuss with us, or you would like to reserve a disabled parking space, please get in touch via [email protected].
Our building is fully wheelchair accessible. See our Accessible Resources and Virtual Tour.
Please note there is an approximately 3-5 minute walk up our entrance driveway that is steep in parts. Cars may pass by so please keep to the side.
Science Oxford is committed to inclusion, and we recognise that cost is sometimes a barrier so are working with schools and community groups to provide funded places to individuals to remove the barriers where we can.
Assistance dogs are welcome. (Please note that only assistance dogs are allowed on site. No other dogs are permitted on site at any time.)
Emira’s Kitchen café is open on Saturdays 10am-4pm to families and groups visiting for Family Days and Saturday STEM Clubs at the Science Oxford Centre. You can also bring snacks or a picnic and refreshments and are welcome to use our lunch tables indoors or outdoors.
FAQ's
We’ve compiled the most commonly asked questions to assist you in planning your visit to the Science Oxford Centre.
Yes – The woodland and outdoor areas are open from 10am-5pm, and it is only the indoor activity rooms that have time-restricted access (ie 2-hours in the Exploration Zone for Family Day visitors, or 90-minutes in the Classroom for Club visitors). You can visit the outdoor areas before and/or after your indoor session.
There are two outdoor paths leading out from centre, one to the ponds and the other to the woodland. These paths are quite rocky but can be accessed via wheelchairs and pushchairs. There is decking around the pond area and visitors can easily reach the woodland amphitheatre, however the trails reaching deeper into the woodland are not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
Yes – Families can bring food and drink to enjoy at our indoor or outdoor lunch tables, or to picnic on the grass (please take all rubbish with you or place it in a bin when you leave).
Parking is only available on-site at weekends, on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is also limited 2-hour (and 3-hour) free parking available on Quarry Road.
Yes. If coming on a weekday, please book ahead by calling 01865 810000 or emailing [email protected].
Yes, Emira’s Kitchen café is open on Saturdays 10am – 4pm to visitors to our Family Days and STEM Clubs only.
For Family Days – Yes, all visitors require a ticket, and under-3s are included in our capacity limits. Please select the free ‘Under-3 Ticket’ at checkout.
For Clubs – Clubs are not generally suitable for Under 3s, but please also check the event information and get in touch via [email protected] if childcare is an issue.
For Family Days, all adults need their own ticket.
For Clubs, adults are included in the cost of the club ticket.
Family Days:
One carer is permitted free entry when accompanying your cared for person when you buy a family day or sensory friendly family day ticket.
If you require a carer ticket, please enter the promo code ‘carer-admission’ when prompted at check out and click apply. Select one ticket per cared for person that is attending. You will need to complete this transaction before completing a separate transaction to book the full price tickets for any additional attendees.
We may ask to see one of the following documents on arrival:
- A Gateway Card, Max Card or Access Card
- A Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance award letter
- Personal Independence Payment letter
- A letter from your GP or consultant confirming the need for a carer, personal assistant, or essential companion
- Your Blue Badge or a photocopy or scan of your Blue Badge
- A Carer’s Allowance Letter of Award
- Carer ID letter or card from your local authority
If you would like to access the Family Day, and you don’t have any of these documents or have any questions, please contact [email protected] and we can work with you individually.
Other actvities:
If you are attending a Saturday STEM Club or Home Educator Day and require a carer ticket, please email [email protected] to enquire.
Yes, children must always be accompanied by at least one adult. We occasionally run unaccompanied club activities during the holidays, but please check the event information for details.
We currently offer quarterly ‘Sensory-friendly Family Days’, which offer a reduced capacity and calmer visiting environment for those who would benefit. Please check our What’s On page for upcoming events.
If you miss your timeslot, we cannot necessarily accommodate you in a later session, as we have specific capacities for all events. All tickets need to be booked in advance.
If urgent, you can call us on the day on 01865 810 000 or email us at [email protected]
Yes, we offer two group booking options during Saturday Family Days (for birthday parties or community groups). Please download our Group Booking Package document here.
Alternatively, if you are interested in visiting as a home educator, we welcome home educator groups in a mid-week format similar to school class visits – please see here for information.
