Exploring Science Amusement Lab — Attraction in Norwich

2025 review: felt compelled to update this review after visiting the science centre again yesterday. As much as I want to love it, it is very difficult now. Cost us around £80 for a family of four to enter, a large amount of the equipment is broken, paint is peeling, Halloween balloons are still pinned to the walls, deflated, 9 months after halloween. It just looks like the owners have stopped caring. Very little has been added. Staff have been cut and it doesn't look like they are doing the small science show at 2pm any more. Many of the experiments in the lab either didn't work or were in various states of disrepair, the deck of cards by the 4 way mirror were ripped to shreds, the tongs for the operation game were broken, a large amount of the ball pit balls were broken and deflated. The shower head holder in the upside down bathroom has been broken since we last visited which I think is a good place example of the overall lack of care.

We spent almost £40 on the worst food I've ever come across. I had a burger, the meat patty of which was around 2 inches across, which was served with a small cup of carrot and cucumber sticks and a bunch of the most flavourless tortilla crisps I've ever had, with no dip or anything. These are the only sides on offer for all meals. The kids had a hotdog, which was a somehow overcooked frankfurter, and the other had a pizza which was one of the small cheap frozen ones but probably the best of all of the meals. These were all £7.50 each, which although cheap still feels like a scam for the quality of the food. Very little effort would be required to offer a better variety and quality of food.

The place needs some some real TLC and the admission price needs to drop by at least £5. It's a real shame but I don't think we'll be going back.

2024 review: Took our 6 and 2 year old on a Saturday and had an amazing time. There is so much to see and do and the staff were brilliant with the kids. The two year old's favourite part was the space tunnel, which has a button at the start so you can change the lights, my six year old loved that a robot delivered our lunch to the table and the mission impossible style laser maze, I loved the escape room and my partner loved the dance mat.

The lab is a brilliant idea. Loads of hands on experiments, interactive educational bits and a huge collection of fossils, resin encased bugs, geological samples etc.

We stayed for the science presentation in the afternoon which was amazing and really interactive.

All in all we were there for 5 hours and only left because the two year old had worn himself out, but I think my six year old would happily live there. We'll definitely be going back.

There is nothing else like this in Norwich and I really hope they do well because...

I am grateful to have such kind of place in the neighbourhood. Around the area, I think only some STEM clubs or the Norwich Science Festival would provide similar experiences, other than schools. The place is huge, and the variety of things the owners pack in this place is truly impressive. Lots to touch and feel, and get hands-on for interactions. There's something for every age in many aspects of science. Not only did they have objects as exhibits, but they also had multiple big scenery setup to walk into. With a 5 year old, we spent all day there, which means lunch is something that had to be accounted for. At the time of visit their cafe offered burgers, hotdogs (with side of warm tortilla chips carrots and cucumber), softdrinks, crisps, sluurpee, tea and coffee basically, and also soft serve which was good enough for us. I was only expecting something into my gut to keep me going because running around was quite a bit of exercise. Buns were nice and the warm chips was beyond expectation for me. It was a really good day out for us. It was funny to see the same groups we bumped into at the beginning hours later at a different exhibit, then cafe, then at another exhibit again. (If you have the patience to run from exhibits to exhibits many, many times 😂)

For sensory consideration there are lots of different things going on, some exhibitions can be quite noisy, in certain area there are strobe or...

Exploring science is a full day trip!! It’s packed full of amazing things and the children loved it, however the cafe menu do not cater for allergies at all, despite the website stating vegan burger, they actually sell a veggie burger that contains milk.

The staff made the science show sound very exciting and the kids couldn’t wait to see it.

They also advertise the robot waiters and waitresses and this the children were really looking forward to.

We arrived at 10 and had to leave at 12.45 due to hungry children, the science show is daily at 2pm and included in the price which sadly we missed because of having to leave early.

I emailed the company to leave feedback regarding the food and didn’t receive a reply, I also messaged them on Facebook messenger, they didn’t reply until a week later I commented on one of their posts.

I have attached photos of their “customer service response”

Absolutely shocking response. No apology offered at all and at £72 for 4 of us for 2.5 hours not good...