Sleepover Terms and Conditions & FAQ

We have limited dates and availability for sleepovers throughout the year. Dates are released around September for the following calendar year. To be informed first when our dates once they are released, contact us to be added to the mailing list.

Available dates are added to the website shortly after release. To book available dates advertised on the website, please contact the details below.

Please refer to our sleepovers page to find out more, fill out an enquiry form, call us at 0116 258 2111, or contact [email protected].

To book a sleepover, you MUST book through the bookings team. This can only be done over the phone at 0116 258 2111 or by emailing [email protected]. Please note our sleepovers are limited on dates and availability; to register your interest and be informed about sleepovers, please call or email us at the above details.

Please note: We do not take provisional bookings. Please ensure you have secured permission to book the visit, checked your numbers and gathered group interest before booking your sleepover.

Once the visit letter has been sent, you have 14 days to sign and return this letter to confirm your booking, and return your initial deposit. Should you not return the letter AND deposit within 14 days, we reserve the right to cancel your booking. We cannot guarantee that unconfirmed and therefore cancelled bookings can be rebooked.

Please read the Sleepover letter in it's entirety.

By signing and returning the visit letter, you agree to the terms and conditions of your visit, as well as to pay for the booking, in it's entirety, unless cancelled with sufficient notice.

All sleepover visits require a deposit. The total deposit varies depending on your booking, please see below:

Option 1 (standard) sleepover visits are subject to a £10, non-refundable, non-transferable deposit per child booked. This deposit should be sent within 14 days, along with your sleepover confirmation letter.

Option 2 (exclusive hire) sleepover bookings are subject to two £1700 (minimum*) deposits (known as 'Deposit 1' and 'Deposit 2'). Deposit 1 is required within 14 days of booking, and Deposit 2 is required 3 months prior to your booking.

*Option 2 (exclusive hire) sleepover bookings are based on a 170 child booking. Deposits for any children over 170 will be charged at £10 per child for both Deposit 1 and Deposit 2.

Should any children be unable to attend, your deposit is not redeemable against the outstanding payment for other children who attend.

We must be notified at least three months before your visit of any changes in group numbers. Confirmed bookings may be subject to the full cost of a booking if you fail to notify us, in writing, of any significant decrease in numbers within three months of your visit (unless otherwise stated).

Groups visiting the National Space Centre will sign on arrival to confirm the number of attendees on the day. By signing the receipt, the group is liable for the full cost of booked visitors.

Please contact our security team soon as possible on 0116 258 2128, who will pass the message onto the team running the event.

Programs arranged during your visit run to a tight schedule and cannot be delayed, and so it is vital your group arrives as close to the informed time to ensure a smooth schedule. Under these circumstances, we aim to be as accommodating as possible, and will look to re-work your schedule, however our ability to do so is subject to our own availability and your arrival time, and therefore may not be possible.

Please email us at [email protected] with your groups full details, as we require written confirmation of your cancellation/postponement.

If your visit is outside of the three month cancellation period, there are no conditions of cancellation. If you are within the three month cancellation period, you will be subject to the full cost of the booked visit, for both cancellation and postponement. This cost is redeemable against another visit, within 12 months of your original visit date.

Most school groups are invoiced the next working day after the event for the full remaining balance of the visit/programme. Invoices are payable within 30 days of the date of issue. Cheques should be made payable to ‘NSSC Operations Ltd’.

Late payment incurs interest, chargeable at 8% a month.

The group leader, by signing and returning their group’s visit letter, takes all responsibility for the behaviour and discipline of their group. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE. Any costs incurred as a result of malicious damage will be the responsibility of the school or group leader.

We reserve the right to ask any group to leave, and no refund will be given.

We recommend (Adult:Child):

1:8 for uniformed groups.

Participants with additional needs that require extra adult support must inform us while booking. Additional adults beyond booking ratios that are not 1:1 support will be charged at the current day visit child rate cost - please speak to a member of the bookings team for more details.

What to bring:

• Packed supper – packed separately to bedding, ready for supper
• Water bottle
• Sleeping bag
• Roll mat
• Pillow
• Sleeping clothes
• Toothbrush
• Torches – only to be used during the night for finding way to the toilets*

*Please be aware that the sleeping areas are very dark after lights out. Lights are, however, left on in the toilets.

What NOT to bring:

• Heelys
• Cameras
• Alcohol
• Camp beds*
• Radios
• Spray cans (including spray deodorants)
• Money

Suitcases or large bags (you’re only here one night!)

*Inflatable mattresses and put up beds can pose a trip hazard and therefore are not permitted during our sleepovers.

Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to be able to run the entire centre during your sleepover. The following areas will not be open at any point during your visit:

• Rocket Tower
• Gift Shop*
• TetraStar Spaceport

*Please do not give your children money to spend, as there is nowhere to spend it in the centre during their sleepover. The shop is only accessible during day time operations, where entrance costings apply.

Please contact the bookings team via phone at 0116 258 2111 or email at [email protected] to enquire about what we may be able to offer for you upon your visit. For accessibility information for the centre, please visit our accessibility page.

We offer two pre-visit tickets to supervisors and recommend that at least one accompanying supervisors visits the National Space Centre before your group visits. These visits are free to supervisors who have a confirmed sleepover, and must be booked in advance. Proof of affiliation with your uniformed group is required upon arrival.

We also offer walk-around tours in preparation for sleepovers, however these are subject to staff availability - please contact our bookings team at [email protected] or call us at 0116 258 2111 to find out more.