Southend

Planetarium

Show Times

Term Time

Saturday and Sunday: 2pm

School Holidays

Wed-Sun: 2pm

Ticket Prices

Standard Shows

Adults: £7.50

Child/Concession: £5.10

Family Ticket: £23.10

(2 adults & up to 3 children)

Special shows

All tickets: £9

NB - Age restrictions apply on all shows, please check below for details.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal adult.

Southend Planetarium offers visitors a unique experience with changing talks throughout the year, exploring the night sky.

All our presentations are given live, giving you plenty of opportunities to question our knowledgeable lecturers. Each show can seat around 20 people.

Public shows run every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Pre-booking is essential, please contact us on 01702 212345 to confirm seat availability and current programme. Please note, public Planetarium shows cannot be booked via email. Planetarium shows run for around 45 - 60 minutes.

The Planetarium is situated on the first floor within Central Museum. We regret that currently this floor is only accessible via stairs.

If you are looking to book on behalf of an education or community group, please contact us on museumseducationteam@southend.gov.uk for more information.

Exploring the Moon

Exploring the Moon is a special moon themed Planetarium show, aimed at ages 7 to adult. Learn about our own moon, as well as moons of other planets, with a special surprise at the end of the show!

These are held during school holidays, join us during Halloween for a special Exploring the Moon at Halloween show!

Please call Central Museum for more information.

Stories in the Sky

Want to learn more about the stories and mythology of space, and the history of constellations? This show is aimed at ages 5 and up and is in a slightly lighter room more suitable for younger age children.

These are held during school holidays, at 2pm.

Please call Central Museum for more information.

Relax Amongst the Stars Planetarium Show

Everyone has stresses in their lives, whether that's at work or at home. Why not take a bit of time out of your day to focus on mindfulness in our relaxed Planetarium show?

This show is a quieter, slower paced show, with soft music, meditation and breathing exercises. Cushions and throws provided!

These shows are held periodically through the month at 11:30am.

Please call Central Museum for more information and for dates.

SEND Friendly Shows

Don't think our standard planetarium shows are a good fit? Then come along to our SEND-friendly planetarium shows.

When in the Planetarium, the show will have a smaller capacity than usual, and will be quieter and more relaxed. Please note, the Planetarium is on the first floor of Central Museum and there is no lift access available. For shows in our Lecture Theatre, we have a much larger capacity and it is on the ground level.

Please note, during the show quiet background music will be playing and a red laser pointer is used. There will be also be some time where the planetarium is significantly darkened to allow for the stars to show.

Accessible parking is available behind Central Museum, with easy access to both the museum and the Beecroft Art Gallery Lecture Theatre.

Our SEND show in the Planetarium, SEND show in the Lecture Theatre and our accessible standard show in the Lecture Theatre are held in a three monthly rotation on the last Sunday of the month at 11:30am.

Please call Central Museum for more information.

Beecroft Lecture Theatre

Accessible Shows

While our Planetarium is on the first floor of the museum with no lift access, we do offer a Planetarium show in our Lecture Theatre, which has ground level access. The content of this show is the same as the standard show in the Planetarium.

Accessible parking is available behind Central Museum, with easy access to both the museum and the Beecroft Art Gallery Lecture Theatre.

Please note, this show is held in a three monthly rotation with our SEND shows on the last Sunday of the month at 11:30am.

Please call Central Museum for more information.

A Journey Into Space - Early Years Rocket Ship Show

Calling all future astronauts! This show is aimed at 3 years plus, perfect for those with a keen interest in space at a younger age. Blast off into space with us and begin your journey into learning about space!

Please note, this show is held periodically through the month at 11:30am. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of these shows.

Please call Central Museum for more information.

Mini Myths/Moonlets

These shows are designed as short taster sessions for our Exploring the Moon and Stories in the Sky shows for younger children. The sessions are shorter than normal at only 30 minutes.

Please note, these shows are currently only held during our special Space Day event celebrations in school holidays. Keep an eye on our social media for details of future events.

Please call Central Museum for more information.

Combined Planetarium & Guided Museum Visit for KS2

Due to the capacity limit, we recommend that larger groups of up to 35 children split their group into two. Where one group can explore the museum while the other is in the planetarium show. For a small surcharge we can offer a choice of two museum trails.

1) Central Museum Explorers. A general history trail, exploring time from pre-history to modern times in Southend.

2) Anglo-Saxon Adventurers. Dive into local Anglo-Saxon history with this in-depth trail and activities, including the Princely Burial found in Prittlewell!

Please email museumseducationteam@southend.gov.uk for more information.

Getting Here

SOUTHEND PLANETARIUM

Central Museum

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS2 6EW

Telephone: 01702 212345

Email: museums@southend.gov.uk

Getting Here by Train

Two direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The closest station to Prittlewell Priory is Prittlewell Station on the Greater Anglia line. Those arriving on Southend bound trains should exit the station and turn right onto East Street, those arriving on London bound trains will need to with the station via station approach leading on to East Street. Continue on until you reach the traffic lights and turn right onto Victoria Avenue, after a short downhill walk you will reach a set of traffic lights where Priory Crescent meets Victoria Avenue. Cross Priory Crescent and enter Priory Park.
Getting Here by Bus

The nearest bus stops to Priory park are located on Victoria Avenue and Fairfax drive close the Main Entrances.
Getting Here by Car

The A127 and A13 link Southend to the M25. From the north Southend is accessible via the A1, M11, M25 (Junction 29 - 20 miles) & A127. From the south, Southend is reached via the M25 (Junction 30 - 26 miles) Dartford Tunnel & A13. Parking at Priory Park is free and disabled parking is available

Visitor Information

Show and Group Bookings

To book a planetarium show please give us a call during opening hours at 01702 212345.

Group bookings during week days are also available, with a minimum requirement of 10 people per show. Please call the above number for more information. 01702 212301702 212345

Gift Shop and Refreshments

Discover unique gifts, toys and stationery in our museum Gift Shop.

There are currently no refreshment facilities inside the museum.

Planetarium Accessibility

As the museum currently doesn't have a lift, the first floor (and therefore the Planetarium and toilets) are inaccessible.

Disabled toilets are available next door in the Beecroft Art Gallery.

Limited disabled parking is available to the rear of the building. Access is through the Beecroft staff car park, which is located to the left of the entrance to the multi-story car park.