What Xplore! Science Discovery Centre does

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre (legal entity North Wales Science, charity number 1102959) is a non-profit educational charity and the only dedicated science discovery centre in Wales, operating a single indoor visitor centre at 17 Henblas Street, Wrexham, and an outdoor Xplore! Nature site at Wrexham University's Northop Campus woodland. Founded in 2003 (formerly Techniquest Glyndŵr), the centre delivers over 85 interactive STEM exhibits, live science theatre shows, planetarium content (Xplore! 2.0 launching 2026), forest school and outdoor learning sessions, school workshops, outreach programmes, birthday parties, and corporate venue hire. It serves three primary customer groups: school cohorts from EY/FS through KS3/4 (curriculum-linked workshops, after-school clubs, home educator and Inclusion days); families and the general public (admissions, annual memberships, toddler and Inclusion events); and corporate/government clients (sponsorship, venue hire, team building, ESG-funded school visits).\n\nThe business model is multi-stream and grant-dependent. Consumer revenue comes from admissions (general, off-peak Friday, school holidays, Inclusion Day at £5.50), £32 annual unlimited memberships, science shop and cafe retail, and birthday parties (£215 base at Xplore! Nature). B2B and institutional revenue includes corporate school visit sponsorship (£300/class), exhibit sponsorship (£50/exhibit/month), team building, and room hire. Charitable and grant income flows from donations, the Wrexham Community Lottery (50p of each £1 ticket), UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Innovate UK, Welsh Government, UKRI's Mindsets + Missions programme, and the Science and Technology Facilities Council Impact Project. The centre is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wrexham University and engages approximately 70,000 people annually across North Wales and North-West England, with operations Friday-Sunday during term time and seven days in school holidays.\n\nDistribution is hybrid: walk-in and online ticketing via the Beyonk platform, direct B2B outreach for schools and sponsors, and an education programme delivery channel. Marketing relies on the official website, multi-platform organic social, email newsletters, community outreach (including the ECLAS faith-science initiative across 29 churches), the Darganfod//Discover annual science and arts festival, and earned media around awards (Visit Wales Gold, Cynnig Cymraeg). The product roadmap is centred on the Xplore! 2.0 capital expansion, which will introduce seven new themed zones (planetarium, mind exhibition, maker space, water zone, illusion zone, under-7 space, conferencing suite) to be delivered by Momentum Build.

Name

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre

Legal name

North Wales Science

Website

https://xplorescience.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre is a Wrexham-based educational charity operating the only science discovery centre in Wales, delivering interactive STEM exhibits, school workshops, outreach, and outdoor nature programmes to families, schools, and corporate partners across North Wales and North-West England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Interactive Science Discovery Centre and STEM Education Services

NAICS

Museums (712110), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)

Keywords

• Interactive science exhibits
• STEM education programs
• Science discovery centre
• Forest school sessions
• School science workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Wrexham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Visitor Admission Tickets: Ticket revenue from general admission, off-peak Friday entry, school group visits, and special event attendance. Centre open Friday-Sunday during term time and all week during school holidays.
2. Annual Membership Passes: Annual unlimited membership sold for £32 per year, providing unlimited admission, 10% shop discount, discounted guest admission, and access to member-only events. Valid for 12 months.
3. Birthday Parties: Birthday party packages at the science centre and Xplore! Nature outdoor site. Pricing at £215 for up to 10 participants plus £18 per additional participant (max 20) at Xplore! Nature.
4. Venue and Room Hire: Hiring out flexible rooms and spaces for business meetings, presentations, community meetings, team building, and corporate events.
5. Corporate Sponsorship and School Visit Sponsorship: Companies sponsor school visits from £300 per class, exhibit sponsorship from £50 per exhibit per month, and commission tailor-made workshops. Part of corporate social responsibility and ESG programmes.
6. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations including 'Pay it Forward' ticket purchases, grant funding from organisations such as UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, Innovate UK, and Welsh Government.
7. Wrexham Lottery Partnership: 50% of each £1 weekly lottery ticket sold through Wrexham Community Lottery goes to Xplore!, with 10% supporting other local causes.
8. Retail (Science Shop and Cafe): On-site science shop and cafe generating revenue from merchandise sales and food and beverage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre operates the only dedicated science discovery centre in Wales, running the Wrexham city centre venue with over 85 interactive STEM exhibits, live science theatre shows, and an on-site café and shop, alongside the Xplore! Nature outdoor site at Wrexham University's Northop Campus offering forest school sessions and environmental science activities. The organisation delivers curriculum-linked education programmes (EY/FS, Key Stages 1, 2, 3/4), school outreach, birthday parties, venue hire, team building, after-school clubs, annual memberships, and special events such as Inclusion Days, Toddler Days, and the annual Darganfod//Discover science festival.

Product overview

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre is a single-site science discovery centre in Wrexham city centre offering a unified visitor experience. The centre features over 85 interactive exhibits, live science shows, and various educational programmes. Its portfolio includes the main Xplore! Science Discovery Centre with integrated Café and Science Shop; Xplore! Nature (forest school and outdoor activities at a separate Northop Campus); education services (school workshops, after-school clubs, home educator days); venue hire and team building facilities; birthday party packages at both sites; and special programmes including Inclusion Days, Toddler Days, and annual memberships. The centre is expanding with Xplore! 2.0, featuring a new planetarium and six additional experience zones.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Xplore! Nature: Nature science hub featuring forest school sessions, environmental science activities, and outdoor learning experiences located at Wrexham University's Northop Campus.
• Xplore! Planetarium

Products and services

• Visitor Admission Tickets (General Admission, Off-Peak Friday, Special Events) Tiered per-person entry tickets covering General Admission (weekends and school holidays), Off-Peak Friday Admission, and ticketed special events such as Inclusion Days (£5.50), Toddler Days, and Home Educator Days (ages 5–14), with children under 3 free and carers of disabled visitors free with proof. Tickets include access to over 85 interactive exhibits and live science shows.
• Annual Unlimited Membership 12-month subscription membership at £32 per year providing unlimited admission, 10% discount in the science shop, discounted guest admission for up to 6 guests, and access to member-only events, with upgrade option from daily admission within 30 days.
• Education Programme (School Workshops and Outreach) Curriculum-linked STEM workshops and outreach delivery for EY/FS, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, and Key Stage 3/4, aligned with the New Curriculum for Wales and delivered either on-site or at schools across North Wales and Northwest England.
• Birthday Party Packages Celebration packages for children including parties at the main centre and nature parties at Xplore! Nature (from £215 for up to 10 participants plus £18 per additional participant up to 20), with options including cold and hot drinks and campfire snacks at the outdoor venue.
• Xplore! Nature (Forest School, Stay and Play, Holiday Clubs) Outdoor environmental science hub at Wrexham University Northop Campus woodland offering forest school sessions, nature birthday parties, holiday clubs, and "Connect with Nature" team building experiences for children, families, schools, and corporate groups.
• After School Clubs Science and coding-focused after-school club sessions (including Scratch coding) bookable in 4–10 week programmes for primary school-aged children, with minimum 10 and maximum 30 participants and two staff members required for groups of 16 or more.
• Venue Hire Flexible meeting rooms, theatre space, and event spaces in Wrexham city centre available for business meetings, presentations, conferences, AGMs, award ceremonies, team building, and community gatherings, with first-class AV and audio equipment.
• Corporate Team Building STEM-inspired team-building experiences designed to develop communication, creativity, and lateral thinking, available at both the main science centre and the Xplore! Nature woodland site.
• Inclusion Days (Sensory-Friendly Events) Monthly sensory-friendly events at the centre with dimmed lights, quiet music, and dedicated sensory spaces for visitors with additional needs, offered at reduced admission of £5.50 and with free entry for accompanying carers.
• Xplore! Planetarium (Xplore! 2.0) Immersive 360-degree planetarium experience scheduled to open in 2026 as part of the Xplore! 2.0 expansion, enabling visitors to travel through space, explore the deep ocean, step inside the human body, and experience themed science shows (Phase One of the seven-zone upgrade).

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 70,000 visitors engaged annually across Wrexham, North Wales, and Northwest England
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Wrexham Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2024Partnership to deliver interactive KS2 school workshops on decarbonisation and climate change. Funded through the council's decarbonisation scheme. Xplore! visits schools and hosts showcase events, with plans for a new interactive display in centre on sustainable living.
• KIM-InspirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Community partner in the Mindsets + Missions UKRI project, collaborating with Xplore! on co-creation of science activities with community groups.
• Dynamic VoicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Community partner in the Mindsets + Missions UKRI project, working with Xplore! on co-creation of community-focused science activities.
• Contact ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Community partner in the Mindsets + Missions UKRI project, co-developing science engagement activities with Xplore! for local communities.
• Arts from the ArmchaircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Community partner in the Mindsets + Missions UKRI project, collaborating on arts-science integration activities with Xplore!.
• Principality Building SocietyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 August 2023Ongoing partnership since 2019 delivering financial literacy (Saving School) workshops for primary school children. Additional funding enabled coding clubs in 2023 and engagement with 6,000+ additional young people. Principality also sponsors the Darganfod science festival and supports Hope House Ty Gobaith hospice activities.
• Ipsen Biopharm LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2023Local biopharmaceutical company in Wrexham that partnered with Xplore! during British Science Week to bring STEM ambassadors — scientists, technicians, and engineers — to deliver hands-on science activities for local school children. Ipsen selected and funded school visits, with nine STEM volunteers leading activities.
• Lyan PackagingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 November 2021Chamber of Commerce member and Managing Director Adam Jones from Lyan Packaging funded a free school trip to Xplore! for Years 1 and 2 students at Penycae Primary School as part of CSR initiative, including LEGO-coding activities.
• Wrexham University (Prifysgol Wrecsam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXplore! is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wrexham University (formerly Wrexham Glyndŵr University). The university provides governance oversight, data protection policies, staff training, and access to facilities including the Northop Campus woodland for Xplore! Nature. The charity is registered number 1102959.
• Wrexham Community LotteryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerXplore! receives 50% of each £1 weekly lottery ticket sold through Wrexham Community Lottery, with 10% going to other local causes. Provides ongoing donations and community visibility.
• Welsh Language Commissioner (Comisiynydd yr Iaith Gymraeg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXplore! received the Cynnig Cymraeg award from the Welsh Language Commissioner in 2024, one of the first 100 organisations in Wales to achieve this recognition. The partnership involves developing and implementing a Welsh language development plan to promote bilingualism.
• Hope House Ty GobaithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerXplore! delivers science activities for children at Hope House Ty Gobaith hospice, funded through the Principality Building Society partnership. One of Principality's charity partners.
• Less Common Metals (LCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBaCh in Ellesmere Port partnered with Xplore! on the 'Magnet Mining' school workshops about rare earth metals for green technology, funded by Innovate UK. LCM creates alloy systems for permanent magnets used in EVs and wind turbines.
• ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leaders in an Age of Science)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-science initiative bringing experiments and activities into local churches across North Wales and Northeast England. Reached 29 churches since 2020, engaging children and youth aged 4-11 with interactive science and faith activities.
• Tŷ PawbflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the annual Darganfod//Discover science and arts festival, held across Xplore! and Tŷ Pawb venues in Wrexham city centre.
• Wrexham Council - City Centre Events TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Wrexham Council's city centre events team to deliver the annual Darganfod//Discover festival, Family Fun Day, and other community events.
• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) WalesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerICE Wales supported the 'Time is Running Out' travelling exhibition on civil engineering and net-zero, hosted at Xplore! Funded by Arup, Environment Agency, Graham, Laing O'Rourke, National Highways, Network Rail, Tony Gee, and Jones Bros.
• Momentum BuildcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed to deliver Phase One and Phase Two of the Xplore! 2.0 centre redevelopment project, featuring seven new zones including an immersive planetarium.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dynamic Earth: Edinburgh-based science attraction focused on earth and environmental sciences with immersive shows — directly comparable to Xplore!'s earth/environmental programming and Xplore! Nature outdoor offer.
• Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum: Birmingham science museum with interactive galleries and education programmes — a competing West-Midlands/North-West family destination within driving distance of Xplore!'s catchment.
• Techniquest: Cardiff-based science discovery centre and the most directly comparable Welsh peer — same core model (interactive exhibits, science shows, school workshops), but larger and longer-established. Operates a planetarium, similar to Xplore!'s planned 2026 launch.
• National Space Centre: Leicester-based science centre with a planetarium and space-focused exhibits — the leading UK model of how a planetarium can drive visit numbers, directly relevant to Xplore! 2.0's commercial upside.
• Glasgow Science Centre: Major Scottish science centre with interactive exhibits, planetarium, and broad STEM programming — useful benchmark for Xplore!'s target destination-attraction model post Xplore! 2.0 expansion.
• We The Curious: Bristol-based interactive science centre with a strong school-workshop and public-engagement programme — comparable in mission, exhibit-led format, and UK regional museum positioning to Xplore!.
• Eureka! The National Children's Museum: Halifax-based interactive museum aimed at children aged 0–11, very similar target audience and exhibit-based delivery model to Xplore! — useful peer for family ticket economics and school-group pricing benchmarks.
• Centre for Life: Newcastle-upon-Tyne science village combining interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and life-science education. Closest comparable UK peer combining science discovery centre format with planetarium (matching Xplore! 2.0 roadmap).
• Catalyst Science Discovery Centre: Widnes-based interactive science and discovery centre in Northwest England serving the Merseyside/Cheshire catchment that overlaps with Xplore!'s market. Comparable size, exhibit-led model, and educational programming for schools and families.

Broad incumbents

• Science Museum Group: The UK's flagship science museum group (London, Manchester, Bradford) — a broad incumbent setting category benchmarks for visitor experience, education programming, and brand authority that Xplore! operates against as a regional specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/XploreScienceUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/xplorescience

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Xplore! Science Discovery Centre