Public Visits
Visit the UCL Observatory and explore the night sky. Public tours and astronomy events offer unique access to telescopes, expert talks, and hands-on experiences with the universe.
Dear Friends,
Public Visits to UCLO to book your ticket please go to Eventbrite
The Observatory holds free public open evenings, roughly fortnightly, on Fridays during UCL’s autumn and winter terms, 18:00–19:30 and 20:00–21:30. The earlier tour may be preferable for families with children, but note that the content and nature of the tours (including negotiating some steep, open-tread stairs) mean they may not be suitable for all children younger than 7 years old. (Saturday-evening tour is usually also offered each term for visitors unable to attend on Fridays for, in particular, religious reasons)
The Observatory is a teaching and research establishment, not a tourist attraction; it is not open to visitors, except as summarised here. Advance booking is essential. If none of the dates are suitable or you are looking for a more bespoke tour please contact us for details about school and private tours, more public tours will be added to the scheduled dates.
Capacity: As ticket-numbers are limited at each event, it is important that you please ensure you cancel through Eventbrite, if you cannot attend; this allows people on the wait-list to be given the opportunity to attend.
Programme: Visitors are given a short introduction to the Observatory by one of the guides, then divided into groups for a guided tour of the telescopes and facilities. During the tour season, only about 1 evening in 4 is clear, winds or even wispy clouds can prevent us from observing too. Nonetheless, if the weather permits, visitors will normally be given the opportunity to view the sky through the Fry 8-inch refractor.
Visitor access: Pedestrian access only: no vehicle access is permitted, and there is no visitor parking on site (but visitors requiring level acess, please see below).
Accessibility: All ground-floor locations at UCLO are accessible via ramps with handrails for wheelchair users and anyone else requiring level access. Please note that there are some stairs at the venue, but alternative methods of viewing inaccessible telescopes are offered.
There is an accessible WC (RH transfer) at UCLO. (The accessible WC is 2.0 x 1.5-m; the door has a clear-opening width of 88 cm).
Level vehicular drop-off can be arranged for people who require this; but please contact us in advance to let us know your requirements, so we can arrange access; general visitor-parking on site is not available.
For an FAQ and to book your ticket please go to Eventbrite
Mark and the Team