Science Garden

Highlights

The Science Garden is an outdoor discovery space packed with surprises and fun activities for the whole family.

Located outside on level 0.

The Science Garden offers an adventurous and entertaining day out, bringing themes of engineering, mechanics and transportation to life through over 30 hands-on exhibits.

Visitors of all ages can get ‘bodies on’ with exciting and inventive exhibits including an eight metre high clanging ‘Terminus’ machine and a giant human-sized hamster wheel that has a top speed of 30 revolutions per minute.

Fun zones in the Science Garden include:

  • Energise - Harness renewable energy to power a mechanical theatre - which turbine or solar panel will you choose?
  • Mechanise - Use a host of intriguing machines to feed the 8m high 'Terminus' machine - can you get enough for an explosion of dancing balls and whistles?
  • Mobilise - How does it feel riding on a wagon with square wheels on a bumpy road? Find out!
An adult and child playing with an interactive water feature.

In addition to these interactive exhibits there is an outdoor classroom – Garden Arena, where shows and workshops for schools can take place.

The Science Garden is included in the Thinktank admission price, or it is free every day from 3pm, with varying closing times in autumn/winter due to light levels. The earliest the garden will close during the winter period is 4pm.

Closure dates and times

  • The Science Garden will close at 4pm from Wednesday 6th November due to light levels.
  • From January 8th – 14th February 2024 (inclusive) it will be closed for winter maintenance. All visitors between this time will be offered a Science Garden voucher to return for free when the garden is back open.

Image gallery

  • A child in a plastic dome with water running over the top. An adult is taking a photo.
  • A science garden with trees, plants and science exhibits and two buildings in the distance.
  • A family with two adults and 2 children playing in a water feature in the Science Garden.
  • A child in a giant hamster wheel.
  • Two children playing with 2 water exhibits
  • Two adults watching a child in a plastic dome with water running over the top of it.
  • Two children playing with an interactive water exhibit
  • A child balancing a ball on top of an interactive with water shooting up.
  • A large modern building with garden in front. In the garden is trees, plants and science exhibits
  • A smiling child on a giant human sized hamster wheel.
  • A child in a plastic dome with water running over the top.
  • Children on an interactive pulley trying to pull themselves up.

Take a 360° tour of the Science Garden

Kids' Park

Also, look out for the Kids' Park. Little ones can try our hands-on exhibits and discover the science behind touch, sound and movement in this small FREE park located opposite the Science Garden. Activities include:

  • Whisper dishes - send a message across the park with a mere whisper!
  • Musical Games - compose a masterpiece on our giant chimes.

The Science Garden and Kids' Park are located on Level 0, directly in front of Thinktank.

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Things to see

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A floor plan of Thinktank showing the 4 floors and some of the exhibits.

Floor plan

View the floor plan of Thinktank.