From where to eat and drink to what shoes to wear, the Planning your Visit page tells you everything you need to plan a fabulous day out at Life.
Food and Drink
Times Square Café (open 8am - 5pm)
The Times Square Café at Life is open to non-paying guests. Enjoy a Starbucks and an indulgent pastry, or sample one of our generously filled sandwiches - there's plenty on the menu to suit all tastes.
Life Café (open during Centre opening hours, but only at weekends and holidays)
In the Life Café, situated inside the Science Centre, refuel with a delicious hot or cold meal. Our menu changes daily, but you can be sure to find a meal that will make your mouth water.
Shopping
Life Shop
Stock up on a range of unusual gifts in our Life Shop, where you'll find a range of science kits, toys, books, souvenirs and lots of great gift ideas to suit all pockets.
Facilities
Toilets and Baby Change
There are easy access toilets and baby change facilities on both levels of the science centre, for your convenience.
Security Lockers
Individual secured lockers are available in the science centre's Reception area for storing personal belongings. A £5.00 deposit is required, £4.00 of which is returnable in exchange for the key. Items are stored at the visitor's own risk.
Parents' Survival Guide
Footwear
Visits to Life may involve plenty of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Suitability
Some exhibitions at the Life Science Centre, such as Dino Jaws, may be scary to younger children, so we ask parents to use their judgment.
The Motion Ride has a minimum height requirement of 1.2 metres/4 feet.
Bags and Pushchairs
Bags can be left in the security lockers in the Reception area. Access ramps and lifts provide easy access to the different areas of the science centre.
Babycare
There are unisex babycare facilities around the science centre. Baby changing kits are available from dispensers for a cost of £1.00.
Food and Drink
Children are welcome at all our café facilities, where you can warm bottles and use highchairs. Foods containing nuts and dairy products are labeled. If in doubt, please check with a member of staff. There is always a vegetarian option.
First Aid / Lost Children
While visiting the science centre, if you require first aid assistance, or become separated from your child(ren), please contact a member of staff or report to Reception immediately.
Busy Times
Life is usually very busy at half terms and in wet weather. To avoid long queues and busy galleries we recommend visiting Life Science Centre on sunny days and during weekends in term time. During half-terms, visitors are advised to come before 11am or after 2pm to avoid long queues.
Parking
Times Square Car Park is our multi-storey car park. With 635 spaces including ample spaces for visitors with disabilities, and at only £1.00 an hour (up to 10 hours, after which time a flat rate of £10.00 applies up to 24 hours), the car park is both affordable and accessible, and is located approximately 100m adjacent to the centre on Railway Street.
Passes are available to the general public, at the following rates:
| Weekly (Mon - Fri) |
£24 |
| Weekly (7 days) |
£30 |
| 1 month (Mon - Fri) |
£100 |
| 1 month (7 days) |
£124 |
| 3 months (Mon - Fri) |
£264 |
| 3 months (7 days) |
£327 |
| Annual (Mon - Fri) |
£1034 |
| Annual (7 days) |
£1283 |
Life Conference and Banqueting delegates can purchase day passes for £3.50. Call (0191) 243 8294. Daily pass valid from 00.01hrs to 24.00hrs.
Local Information
The Life Science Centre is located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, one of Time Magazine's Secret Capital's of Europe. Newcastle and its partner city Gateshead have been transformed into a single visitor destination called NewcastleGateshead. For a taste of what's on offer in the wider region, visit www.newcastlegateshead.com.