Big days out, a short trip from Edinburgh
If you’ve done the Edinburgh sights and you’re after a family day out with a difference, Life Science Centre in Newcastle is closer than you might think. A direct train from Edinburgh Waverley reaches Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in around an hour and a half, and the science centre sits just a few minutes’ walk from Central Station; you can be hands-deep in a science experiment not long after your morning coffee.
Life Science Centre is one of the North East’s biggest family attractions: two floors of interactive science, a full-dome planetarium, live science shows and a exciting programme of changing exhibitions. It’s the kind of day you can’t quite tick off in the city, which is what makes LIFE one of the best day trips from Edinburgh for families: an easy, self-contained trip across the border, whether you travel by train or car.
What’s on right now
The Great Dinosaur Escape
Looking for a unique day out this summer 2026 in Newcastle? Become a Dino Ranger and wander among the North’s biggest collection of moving dinosaurs in The Great Dinosaur Escape.
Take your trail around Life’s award-winning science centre to uncover fascinating dino facts and solve a prehistoric challenge along the way.
With interactive activities at every turn, it’s much more than your average dinosaur exhibition, with plenty of hands-on science fun for all ages.
Coming soon…
Ice Skating
Life’s outdoor ice rink is an established part of Newcastle’s festive calendar and reopens from Saturday 7 November 2026.
Situated in Times Square, just outside Life Science Centre, the rink, made of real ice, runs throughout the Christmas season, providing skaters of all ages and abilities with the ultimate festive experience.
The Santa Experience
Life’s outdoor ice rink is an established part of Newcastle’s festive calendar and reopens from Saturday 7 November 2026.
Situated in Times Square, just outside Life Science Centre, the rink, made of real ice, runs throughout the Christmas season, providing skaters of all ages and abilities with the ultimate festive experience.
Why make the day trip from Edinburgh?
We’re a unique day out for families that you won’t fine elsewhere. Alongside our headline experiences, Life Science Centre gives you two floors of hands-on science, a full-dome planetarium and live shows running throughout the day; enough to fill a proper day out for children and grown-ups alike. It’s a different flavour to Edinburgh’s castles and museums: here, everything is designed to be touched, tried and played with.
Because the programme changes through the year, it’s the sort of place worth coming back to rather than a one-off; and it’s all under one roof, so a bit of Northern weather never spoils the plan.
Getting here from Edinburgh
By train
The easiest way is the direct LNER or Lumo services from Edinburgh Waverley to Newcastle Central, which takes around an hour and a half. From the platform it’s just a 5 minute walk to Life Science Centre. Booking ahead and travelling off-peak keeps fares down, and a Family & Friends Railcard is well worth it if you’re travelling with children.
Plus, if you use public transport, you can enjoy 20% off science centre admission when usng the discount code TRAVEL20 when booking online. Just show your train tickets at reception on arrival.
By car
By road it’s roughly two and a half hours down the A1, around 120 miles. There’s parking a short walk away at Times Square Car Park and you can pre-book parking when booking science centre tickets.
Good to know before you visit
How far is Life Science Centre from Edinburgh?
Around an hour and a half by direct train, or roughly two and a half hours by car (about 120 miles via the A1).
Is it worth the trip from Edinburgh for the day?
Yes: with two floors of interactive galleries, a planetarium, live shows and a changing programme of major exhibitions, you could easily a full day here. It’s great for all ages and you don’t necessarily need to book an overnight stay.
[Adult / child / under-5s pricing, family ticket and annual pass detail. Link to the tickets page.]
What are the opening times?
During term-time the science centre is open 10:00am – 3:00pm midweek and 10:00am – 5:00pm at weekends. During school holidays though, hours are often extended. It’s always best to check our opening times page before you travel.
Is Life Science Centre accessible?
Yes, the science centre has lifts and ramps to all floors. There is also a Changing Places facility on the ground floor.