Xplore! – Inspiring Science at the heart of the community

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre

In September 2020 we opened our brand-new science centre in the heart of Wrexham. You’ll find our new home full to the brim with science, exploration, and fun. We’ve been bringing brain-teasing, mind-bending, eye-opening science to Wrexham for almost 20 years and we can’t wait to see what our new centre will allow us to do.

In addition to our interactive exhibit space, we have created a purpose-built science shop that sells a wide range of science experiments, toys, and gifts that are perfect for all ages. Both our science shop and new café area are open from 09:30 am till 4:30 pm. Our café sells a range of hot and cold drinks as well as snacks for all taste buds and dietary needs.

Not only do we have public visitors, but we also welcome school groups. A visit to Xplore! Science Centre allows all learners the opportunity to develop skills in investigating, imagination, team working, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Xplore! is the premier Science Discovery Centre in North Wales attracting both the general public and school visits at primary and secondary levels. The centre offers over 65 interactive science exhibits, in addition, to live science shows delivered to the public at weekends and during local (Wrexham) school holidays, enriching the lives of over 80,000 visitors every year.

For schools, Xplore! offers a comprehensive programme of curriculum-related science workshops and shows for groups in Foundation/Key Stage 1 right up to Key Stage 5. These can be delivered either at the centre or by outreach visits across the whole of North Wales and into North West England, including Cheshire East and West, Warrington, Wirral, Liverpool and Shropshire.

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre is a collaborative effort between our staff, partners and the local community. Our ‘Heart of the Community’ vision is to make science accessible to all and we work hard every day to improve what we do and offer our audiences.

Following a monumental effort over the last few years, we’ve finally been able to put our plans into practice. In 2019 we were awarded funding from the Inspiring Science Fund and the Targeted Regeneration Investment Programme, to transform and relocate our science centre and build closer relationships with our local communities.

The most visible part of our changes can be seen through the work of our Community Outreach Team. The Team are engaging with as many community groups within our catchment area as possible, especially those who have historically had barriers between themselves and science engagement.

Throughout the process, there has been an immense focus on public consultation to create a science discovery centre shaped and designed by its visitors. We are still actively engaging with groups to hear their suggestions, concerns and interests. We have many forums for letting us know what you think, particularly through social media, outreach events and in-centre consultations.

The opening of our new centre does not mark the end of our engagement process: we’re looking to consult with the general public, schools and other groups to co-create the best experience possible to bring our long-held dream to life.