Opening Times

April - October 10am - 5pm
November - March 10am - 3pm
Weekends and school holidays 10am - 5pm throughout the year

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

As a leading regional learning institution, Snibston Discovery Museum has been awarded the nationally-recognised ‘Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge’. The Quality Badge assesses the learning provided and demonstrates a commitment to a consistently high standard of service, safety and support for visitors.

Snibston is interactive in nature and encourages children to explore. There are 7 galleries, an under 5s' area, an outside play area, water play area, an historic railway, plus a former travelling theatre.

There are a range of temporary exhibitions throughout the year and several key events including a miners' gala and transport festival.

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

Snibston offers cross-curricular hands-on learning for children of all ages and adults. Students can explore and discover and teachers can tailor the visit to areas of recent study.

What are the activities?

Our focus is on interactivity. Students learn by physically engaging with exhibits such as lifting a real mini or igniting a fire. With dozens of interactives exhibits, students can fully investigate science, technology and engineering.

Students are encouraged to understand the practices and impact of mining. By interacting with miners who worked in the coalfields, students appreciate the challenges that were part of mining in the 20th century.

Snibston incorporates an extensive Country Park where students experience and learn about diverse landscapes and study the wildlife and plants that have adapted to these different environments.

Snibston is a satellite for the East Midlands Science Learning Centre and we work closely with the universities of Loughborough, Leicester and Nottingham Trent, as part of the STEM partnership, to deliver a wide range of learning programmes to students of all ages.

What is the age range of the activities?

Snibston is ideal for students of all ages from under fives to GCSE level and beyond. With a focus on design, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), Snibston celebrates the success of generations of local technology pioneers, allowing students to understand the impact that these technologies have had in shaping the world.

Sample programme of the activities:

The interactive museum covers the following subject areas:
Science e.g. lift a mini, make fire or push a rock
Technology e.g. transport, cogs and wheels, fabrics
History e.g. toys, mining, manufacturing, culture
Maths workshops available.
Fashion and Design. Snibston houses the largest fashion gallery outside London.
The Ranger-led Country Park is home to a variety of wildlife and pond-dipping is available on request.

Educator-led workshops are also available:

Colliery tours with a former miner
Forces - KS1&2 Science
Holocaust - My Struggle KS3 PSHE and History
Discrimination and Difference - Outreach Session KS3 PSHE and History
Characters of the Industrial Revolution Tour -KS2 History and Science
Ourselves Workshop - Foundation/Yr1 History & Science
Art Rocks! KS1 & KS2 Science and Art & Design

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

No Minimum
450 Maximum

One teacher goes free for every five paying children

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

Risk assessment details are available online at www.snibston.com. Follow 'learning at Snibston' link and then 'Making an educational visit'

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

Yes call 01530 278444 to arrange.

Teachers can also benefit from a weekend familiarisation visit with their family (2 adults and 2 children) on presentation of a letter from the headteacher or head of department confirming the family's visit is in a professional capacity. Maximum of two teachers per school for this offer - booking required.

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

There is a well-stocked shop offering a variety of pocket money treats, many of which are relevant to items on display in the galleries. Also on offer is a range of high-quality gifts, books, jewellery and toys at prices to suit all pockets. If time is limited, goodies bags can be preordered (pump bag with bendy pencil, pen, notepad, eraser. Available in pink, blue and green). Bespoke bags can also be ordered.

There are several indoor and outdoor picnic areas including a railway carriage. There is cafe on site for those wishing to buy food rather than bring their own.

Is specific clothing required?

No but there is an outdoor play area which may requrie a coat in at certain times of year.

Do you have first aid on site?

Yes. Gallery staff are first aid trained. There is a first aid room on site.

Are there any restrictions on photos, copyright etc?

No restrictions are in place for images being used for a school's own educational use. Images should not be used for commercial purposes without prior permission. Any images used in topic work from our own website should be referenced. From time to time, there may be restrictions in the temporary gallery but signage will be in place to advise.

Additional information.

Snibston comprises:

Extra-Ordinary Gallery
Light Fantastic Gallery
Science Showcase Gallery
The ToyBox Gallery
Transport and Engineering Gallery
The Fashion Gallery
An under 5s' area
3 temporary exhibition galleries
Outdoor science play
Outdoor adventure play
Wildwater (water play with a series of locks and pumps)
A country park
The Century Theatre
Cafe
Gift Shop
There is also meeting room provision