The Dark Space Planetarium is an interesting experience if you enjoy all things Space related!
It’s just over half an hour’s drive away from Serenity 22 Barend, in Kirkcudbright (24 miles WSW ~37 min drive DG6 4EG).
It’s only small. It consists of 1 large room full of interactive exhibits and then the planetarium, which seats approx. 25 people.
Although small there are plenty of hands on activities to try. You can identify constellations, send up a rocket using air pressure, try out astronaut gloves, feel the weight of a can of beans on Jupiter and more.
Planetarium Show
The planetarium show lasted about 30 minutes and was very informative. It covered stars and constellations in the night sky and how to identify them, plus a ‘tour’ around the universe with a stop on Mars and interesting facts about that planet.
The guy who did it obviously loves space and was very knowledgable. We’ve visited planetariums before, including at the National Space Centre in Leicester. This is obviously not quite at the same level as that, but we heard some facts and saw images we’d not heard or seen before. It was good for older children and adults, but would probably feel a little long to younger children. We got an “I’m fed up now” from our youngest child towards the end.
There’s a very small gift shop area that sells reasonably priced small items like pencils, key rings and jigsaws etc. It also had freeze dried astronaut ice cream!
We visited in November, to get us in the mood for a stargazing trip to Galloway Forest Park. As the nights are drawing in, it’s a good time of year to wrap up warm and go into the countryside to see the stars, but without having to be out really late with the family. Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre is a good base to use their facilities and also stargaze.
Value for Money?
The staff were friendly and we had an enjoyable time. We looked at every exhibit and tried every activity (some more than once) and spent about 2 hours there. We liked that pretty much every exhibit was interactive, so it felt like you were learning without reading lots of text. However, there’s extra information if you want it, and the staff were very happy to chat and answer questions. Also everything was well maintained, clean (with lots of sanitiser available), and nothing was ‘out of order’.
We visited off peak and took advantage of an offer to get book online and so get 50% off the family ticket price. With this discount we paid £22.50. That felt like excellent value for money as it was an interesting and enjoyable couple of hours. If we’d paid the full price I think it would have felt a lot of money for what’s there. So we recommend it, but advise keeping your eyes out for offers.
Family Score: 7.6/10
Next door there’s the small Dark Art Gin Distillery, which produces an award winning gin, and has tours and events. Perhaps treat yourself to a bottle of craft gin when you visit, or buy as a gift?
Kirkcudbright itself is a pleasant little harbour town with wide roads, a castle, and a variety of cafes and independent shops. It’s well worth a stroll around.
Book self catering accommodation not far from the Dark Space Planetarium: Book Now
Contact, Links & Reviews
During open hours, telephone: 01557 337213
Planning Your Visit
24 miles WSW ~37 min drive DG6 4EG
Dark Space Planetarium, The Johnston, St Mary Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4EG.
Tickets & Prices: https://www.darkspaceplanetarium.org/tickets/
Opening Times (Last entry 2 hours before closing time):
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Sunday 10am – 4pm