For 25 years, Life Science Centre has been bringing science to life for visitors from Newcastle and beyond. Located at the heart of the International Centre for Life, the centre has become a place where families, schools, researchers and communities can come together to explore the wonders of science.
Opening in 2000, Life was created as part of an ambitious project to establish a world-class science hub in the city. Built on the site of the former Newcastle Infirmary, the International Centre for Life brought together public engagement, healthcare and scientific research, creating a unique space that demonstrates how science can influence and improve everyday life.
The centre’s approach is simple: science is best understood through participation. Visitors are encouraged to experiment, ask questions and discover how things work through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and hands-on activities. By making science accessible and engaging, Life inspires curiosity in people of all ages.
Each year, Life welcomes more than a quarter of a million visitors through its doors. Its experiences cover a wide range of subjects, from the human body and the brain to space exploration and the natural world. Attractions include interactive exhibition zones, a live science theatre and the North East’s largest planetarium, offering memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether it is a first visit or a return trip, there is always something new to discover.
Keeping its programme fresh and exciting is a key part of Life’s mission. One of the centre’s latest attractions is The Great Dinosaur Escape, running until 27th September 2026. The exhibition features more than 20 full-sized animatronic dinosaurs, including a nine-metre-long moving Tyrannosaurus rex. Visitors can follow a trail, solve challenges and learn about fossils and prehistoric life through an immersive experience designed to encourage exploration and participation.
Education remains central to Life’s work. Its schools programme supports learners from the early years through to post-16 education, offering curriculum-linked activities and access to specialist facilities, including purpose-built laboratories that allow students to experience science beyond the classroom.
The centre is also committed to making science accessible to everyone. Through inclusive sessions, sensory-friendly activities and partnerships that support visitors with a range of needs, Life continues to create an environment where all people can engage with and enjoy science.
From its beginnings as a pioneering science project to its role today as one of the North East’s leading visitor attractions, Life Science Centre continues to prove that science is not just something to learn about – it is something everyone can experience.
For further information, head to life.org.uk.
