Stop 02 - We The Curious

Formerly known as At-Bristol and still occasionally signposted that way, We The Curious is Bristol’s science centre. It occupies a curved silver-shelled building on Millennium Square, sandwiched between the harbourside and the Planetarium, and it is unusually good.

What to see

The permanent ground-floor exhibits centre on a series of hands-on science benches - lenses, optical illusions, a pulley-rig tall enough to lift a ten-year-old, small animatronic demonstrations of how hearts and brains work. The first floor is darker and themier, built around light, communication and neuroscience, and includes the single best exhibit in the museum: a small, featureless dark-room where two strangers can sit and find out, uncomfortably, how much you can tell about a voice from nothing else.

The 3D Planetarium at the heart of the building is under a silver sphere visible from the whole square. Shows rotate monthly - sometimes a straight-up astronomy tour, sometimes a themed documentary. Buy the combined ticket at the main desk rather than separately.

How long to stay

Two to three hours is ideal - less for a quick pass-through, more if the planetarium show you want has a later slot. Families with small children easily fill a full day.

Nearby stops

• Stop 01 - Broad Quay is a 90-second walk across Millennium Square.
• Stop 03 - Hotwell Road is three minutes west along the harbour.
• Stop 04 - Spike Island is six minutes south across Pero’s Bridge.

Practical info

Ticket tip: the annual pass pays back after the second visit, so if you are staying in Bristol for more than a few days or might return, it is cheaper than two day tickets. Discounts for concession holders, under-3s free.

Lifts to every level, full wheelchair access, baby-change on both floors. Cafe on ground floor; decent coffee, reasonable food, obviously expensive at peak. Cloakroom is free. See also our full write-up on the We The Curious attractions page.