Techniquest

We aim to make everyone welcome at Techniquest, and we have highlighted a few key aspects below that should help you plan ahead.

If you have any further questions or would like to chat to us before you visit, email us or call us on 029 2047 5475 and we’ll do our very best to help.

Quick links:

  Map   3D virtual tour   Limited mobility & sensory needs   Sensory bags   Other facilities   Essential carers   Parking   Relaxed sessions   The Pod   Pacemakers and implanted medical devices   Access Statement

“Extremely welcoming and helpful staff with my disabled son — thank you!”

Feedback from a visitor, January 2023

Map

This printable bilingual map of Techniquest is available to help familiarise yourself with the layout before your visit:

Map of Techniquest

  Open the map


3D virtual tour

We now also have a 3D virtual tour available, which can help you discover more about our space before your visit.

Open this tour in a separate window.
With thanks to Picture It 360.


Limited mobility & sensory needs

The entrance to the lift on the ground floor

Level access

There is level access throughout the whole exhibition area, with a lift to first floor.

The ramped entrance to the Planetarium.

Planetarium

Our Planetarium is snug, so there is only space for 1 wheelchair user per show. Please book ahead online and select the wheelchair user ticket.

Looking down towards the stage in the Science Theatre.

Science Theatre

Space for 2 wheelchair users, plus additional wheelchair users may be able to transfer to our standard seating — please be aware that this involves at least one or two steps to reach them.

  • Wheelchairs are available to borrow while you visit (subject to availability) — just ask when you arrive.
  • Hearing loop-enabled front desk.
  • Assistance dogs are welcome, and water for them is available upon request.
  • Ear defenders may be requested from the front desk.
  • Many of our exhibits have touchscreen information attached, written in both English and Welsh.
  • Seating is available at several points throughout the exhibition area.
  • Many of our exhibits are designed to be accessible for wheelchair users, but please be aware that some will not be suitable. Please give us a call to check in advance if you’d like more guidance on this.
  • Audio Tours are coming soon.

Sensory bags

An example of the contents found in the Techniquest sensory bags.We can provide a sensory bag for visitors who feel it might improve their enjoyment of the Techniquest experience.

A bag can be requested at the front desk on your arrival and, subject to availability, you’ll be able to pay a deposit of £20 and then take one around the centre with you during your visit.

Each bag includes the following items:

  • A sensory map
  • A visual story
  • Ear defenders
  • A spinner
  • Sunglasses
  • An emotional octopus
  • A sensory slug
  • A stretchy unicorn
  • An emotions fan
  • A planetary popper

If you take the opportunity to use one of these bags, we’d love to have your feedback on them at the end of your visit!


Other facilities

  • Accessible toilets are available on both floors.
  • Cloakroom / buggy park and lockers are available on the ground floor.
  • Three baby-changing spaces are situated on the ground floor.
  • Techniquest is breast-feeding friendly throughout, but if you prefer privacy there is a room available called The Pod.
  • There are gender-neutral toilets on the first floor, and single-sex toilets on the ground floor.
  • The First Aid room is on the ground floor. Please let a member of staff know if you need assistance.
  • A defibrillator is available from the reception desk. Please let a member of staff know if you need assistance.

Free admission for essential carers accompanying visitors

Simply select the Essential Carer ticket when making a booking, which must be paired with a concession ticket, and bring along a form of ID to process your admission on arrival.


Parking

As we have only one accessible parking bay on site for customers, we would encourage you to use the car parks listed below if possible.

However, if that is not practical for you, please call our team as far in advance as possible on 029 2047 5475* or email us at [email protected] so that we can check availability of that space for the day and time you intend to visit. We can then reserve it for you, subject to availability, and let you know the process to follow on the day of your visit.

The view of Techniquest’s main entrance from Mermaid Quay car park Our nearest car park is Mermaid Quay which is directly opposite, approximately 85 metres from our front doors. There are 16 designated accessible parking bays as well as 10 ‘Parent and Child’ bays located on the ground floor.
View on Google Maps, Apple Maps or Parkopedia. Parking prices can be found here.
Looking at the disabled bays in the Havannah Street car park Alternatively, there are free bays for disabled users at Havannah Street car park which is across the road from us, towards the rear of our building, approximately 220 metres from our new main entrance.
View on Google Maps, Apple Maps or Parkopedia. Parking prices can be found here.

The what3words reference for our new main entrance is ///fairly.occupy.trucks.

Our team may also be able to suggest other parking options if you get in touch prior to booking: call us on 029 2047 5475 or email us at [email protected].

*Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm (answerphone option available)


Relaxed Sessions

It can often be quite noisy on the main exhibition floors, especially during school holidays.

We run Relaxed Sessions on the first Sunday morning of every month.

If you choose a 10am or 11am entry ticket, you’ll find that our usual operational model will be dialled down a little to allow guests to enjoy a slightly more relaxed experience of Techniquest for a few hours on a Sunday morning.

  Find out more

If you are unable to attend the Relaxed Sessions, we recommend either attending a late afternoon slot on weekdays during term-time, or booking into the first session of the day at 10am on weekends outside of holiday periods, as these tend to be our slightly quieter times.


The Pod

We have a small, private room on the ground floor with a variety of uses: breastfeeding, prayer or just to decompress from sensory overload if you or one of your party need some ‘time out’ from the hustle and bustle of the main exhibition space.

The Pod — a quiet space that can be used to take a moment, or to breastfeed, or as a prayer space

Take a look at the printable map for how to get to The Pod.


Pacemakers and implanted medical devices

Pacemaker warning symbolA small number of Techniquest exhibits are not suitable for anyone with a pacemaker or other implanted medical device. They are marked by the symbol (right) on the exhibit label.


Access Statement

For more information on access and facilities, please see our downloadable Access Statement.