Child participating in a sleepover event
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Space Lates Sleepover at the Space Centre

Enjoy an evening of talks, workshops, shows and hands on science at Space Lates, followed by a sleepover in the heart of the National Space Centre. 

  • 15th - 16th Nov 2024
  • Suitable for adults and families
  • Sleep under the stars with a no rain guarantee
  • Once a year opportunity
  1. Space Lates group in the Mercury Capsule in the Into Space Gallery
    National Space Centre

    Space Lates Sleepover

    The National Space Centre hosts over 20 sleep over events each year for schools and uniform groups which sell out up to 18 months in advance, however, once a year the opportunity to ‘camp out’ in the heart of the exhibition is opened up for adults and families to enjoy.

    The Discovery team have curated a special Space Lates evening packed with guest speakers, interactive workshops and live demos, planetarium shows, and stargazing, as well as an opportunity for ticket holders to explore the galleries after-hours, take part in live astronomy session (weather permitting), and even a film screening in the UK’s largest planetarium before bedding down in one of the most unusual places to sleep… with no chance of rain.

    The fun continues in the morning with a screening of one of our award-winning planetarium shows, following a continental buffet breakfast under giant rockets.

    What sleep over event would be complete without an all important award patch to show your friends and family, so make sure you get yours before heading home.

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  2. The National Space Centre, seen from outside at night, with the Rocket Tower lit up in Purple.

    Space Lates only

    Book tickets to Space Lates (without sleepover) and view the event programme with a list of talks, planetarium shows and activities.

    Space Lates - November

Adults in Home Planet gallery at Space Lates event
National Space Centre

Times

Friday evening

17:30-18:00 - check in (please bring your sleeping bags and any bags with you at this point)

18:00-21:00 - enjoy the activities of our Space Lates evening (you select your planetarium showtime when booking, but the rest is all drop-in) and explore the main galleries. 

 

Sleepover guests only:

20:45-22:45 - take your seat in the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium for a cinema screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

OR

21:30- 21:45 - join us for a short bedtime story before getting into bed at an earlier sleep time.

21:30-23:00 - grab a hot chocolate, your sleeping gear and your toothbrush before selecting a sleeping space for the night (please check out what you can bring in the FAQs at the bottom of this page). 

Girl enjoying a Space Lates sleepover
RapidEye

Times

Saturday morning

07:00 - the gallery lights slowly return to daylight, it's time to get up (sorry).

07:15-08:15 - continental buffet breakfast is served in Boosters cafe (please give us your dietary requirements when booking). 

08:15 -08:45 - enjoy a fulldome show in the planetarium prior to departure.

Child asleep at a sleepover event
LeManna

Prices

  • Adult - £45 
  • Child - £40
  • Personal Carer - free (please provide proof of PIP/DLA upon arrival)

Includes - Space Lates entry, movie screening, refreshments, breakfast, and sleepover patch.

 

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FAQs

Due to the nature of the event, we ask that no single group is over 6 people.  Obviously, friends and family may book the event as well, but to ensure we can accommodate people together, one party of 6 is the maximum per booking.

  • for up to two children one adult is required
  • for three to four children two adults are required

No, once you have made a booking it cannot be changed or altered.  This is to allow us to plan the event in advance and ensure the infrastructure is in place to cater for all parties.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Child tickets can only be purchased with an adult and a child ticket is available for those aged 6-16.

The event’s activities are designed for children over 6.  Children below this age might not enjoy the event as intended. We also must ensure that everyone enjoys the event equally, so it is for everyone’s benefit that we ask visitors to keep to this age range. Please do not purchase tickets for children outside of this age range as we may be unable to allow entry to the event.

Please see the section above on the minimum number of adults required for each group. Adults will sleep in the same gallery as the children in their group. Accompanying adults must be at least 18 years old. One adult in each group will also be asked for their mobile phone number so we can contact them on the night if required. Sleeping areas will be divided into “families with children” and “adult only” areas.

Check in is from 17:15 and will run until 18:00.  We ask that you do not arrive outside of these times, as we will need to complete this process for all participants at this time.  Please come to the main entrance for check in, you will need to bring your confirmation (either printed out, or on a mobile device).

Please bring a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, a pillow and some clothes to sleep in. Please keep luggage to a minimum.

Overnight clothes must be suitable and warm enough for standing outside in the unlikely event of an evacuation.

Shoes must be worn at all times in the Centre for health and safety reasons, apart from when you are sleeping.

Lighting will be on a low level throughout the night, but a torch may be a good addition to your overnight kit.

For health and safety reasons we cannot allow any inflatable mats, mattresses, cots or camping beds. The following items should not be packed: spray cans (including spray deodorants), alcohol, radios.

You may want to bring a small travel mug to fill with a hot beverage - we’d appreciate your support in our endeavour to be as sustainable as possible.

A water bottle is recommended – event staff will be able to refill these for you, but please be patient as we do this.

We strongly recommend that you do not bring things with you that are of financial or sentimental value. The Centre takes no responsibility for loss of or damage to any items belonging to visitors.

There is no cloakroom available during the event however, we will allow you to drop off your sleepover items upon arrival. These will be kept in a room which will be locked between 18:00 and 22:00, therefore there will be no access to your belongings between those times. You will be able to collect your items to get ready for bed from 22:00. Any belongings that will be needed throughout the evening should be kept with you at all times.

When you book to participate in this sleepover event, you will be allocated a sleeping area. Sleeping areas will be divided into “families with children” and “adult only” areas. Please be aware that no sleeping bags or structures will be provided, please remember to bring along sleeping bags and sleeping mats as required.

A buffet breakfast with one of each item per person is included in the ticket price and there will be a café on the night to purchase food (until 21:00). If you have special dietary requirements, please tell us when booking.

No, as this is a family event, we shall not be selling alcohol. We also ask that you do not bring your own alcohol into the Centre, and anybody considered to be acting irresponsibly may be asked to leave the event.

There will be a smoking area just outside the entrance doors. After 23:00 the doors to the Centre will be locked for your safety, so smoking will not be permitted after this time.

No, candles are not allowed.

We have first aiders available on site.

We do not offer refunds for cancelled bookings.

No, we do not have a cloakroom facility. We suggest all bedding and luggage is stored in your vehicle after the event.

The main toilet areas will be available for use. We will also add water stations for cleaning of teeth.

Sleeping areas will be in the main galleries, where the lights will be turned out at 23:00. The galleries will be designated “families with children” or “adults only”. There will be an adjacent space to the galleries for families with children only who would like an early night – lights off will be at 22:00.  Ensure noise is kept to a minimum at night.

Sleeping will be mixed – visitors of all genders within each group will sleep in the same area.

Event staff are on hand throughout the night to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. CCTV is in operation throughout the Centre.

Staff are on duty at all times. Radios will be placed in designated areas so that you can contact our security in the event of an emergency.

Yes. Please be aware it is your responsibility to ensure that any person with special needs is capable of getting the most from the events and is able to cope in an environment with a large number of other people. We will do all we can to ensure their needs are met wherever possible. If anyone in your group has special needs, accessibility or health issues please let us know on booking.

The Centre exits are closed between 23:00 and 08:00 and it is not possible to leave within these times except in an emergency. We do not advise leaving early (as you will miss some of the fun), but if you wish to leave between 07:00 and 09:00 in the morning please let us know when booking and we will do our best to accommodate this.

Whilst the shop will be open from 18:00-21:00 on the evening of the Space Lates event, it will NOT be open thereafter or in the morning following the sleepover. Anyone wishing to make a purchase from the gift shop should do so before 21:00 on the evening of the event.

You are welcome to take photographs but please be considerate of the other guests.

Sadly, we do not have shower facilities. All guests can use the toilets for their ablutions.

If you have more questions about the event, contact the marketing team – [email protected]