The Look Out Discovery Centre
The Look Out Discovery Centre
The Look Out Discovery Centre
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
We are a hands-on science and discovery centre aimed at primary school aged children with over 90 activities to entertain. We have an amazing outdoor play area which includes an all-access section. With a picnic area and coffee shop, you can stay all day.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- CatherineFarnham, United Kingdom2 contributionsFabulous exhibits, avoid the cafe!We had a fabulous day at the lookout! The kids (3 and 1) absolutely loved the discovery centre. The water exhibit and the building area were the clear favourites. Dress warm in winter because a lot of it is as cold as outside, even though it’s under cover. The outdoor play area was fabulous as well and would be worth a visit just on its own. Luckily I saw other reviews about the cafe before we went and we brought a packed lunch. If I hadn’t done this then the day would have been absolutely ruined (due to starving upset children) by the slow service from the cafe. We waited about 45 mins just for 3 coffees. Be warned! Next time we will bring a thermos and cut the cafe out completely.Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 November 2023
- Perry M1 contributionAppalling cafeFriendly staff, good exhibits but several not working and some are getting tired. Cafe is appalling at this time of year. Poor and overpriced food. Outside! Who's bright idea was that? A few tables under a canopy, pigeons all over the place and the other tables were wet. The cafe needs to be inside where it used to be. Avoid the cafe and take your own food.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 9 December 2023
- Elizabeth RHalesowen, United Kingdom43 contributionsGreat discovery!What an amazing find. So many things to do inside and out. Our son loved it here and would certainly be returning. Of course being December we didn't stay outside to long and shall be returning in the summer. Staff lovely and helpful.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 28 December 2023
- sierraromeobravoUnited Kingdom1,232 contributionsReally GoodReally Good. Came here with the family and there was a lot going on in the discovery centre, lots to look at and experiment with. We also watched a science show that was pretty good as well. The staff were really welcoming and friendly. We went during a busy time; so the car parking was a nightmare (get there early to find a space). They also had massive outside play area and café.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 24 February 2024
- BrendaBerkshireWokingham, United Kingdom140 contributionsSo much potentialThis is great for kids of all ages who love science. So many hands on things to do and lots to learn. On some things team building forms easily between young people of all ages and most are very patient with younger over excited little ones. There are so many things to do and it is great for drizzly days. Very good value for money as you can spend 3 hours for a value for money entry price. Also free carer for SEN/disabled youngsters which sadly not all venues offer. Pay and display car park with plenty of spaces. There is also a Cycle Hub where you can hire bikes for all ages and go cycling through the Bracknell Forest. One massive downside is the cafe. It is very expensive. A sausage roll costs £4 and was so greasy and tasteless…. it was inedible. Also £6.50 for a kids box a small cheese sandwich, small fruit shoot and 1 piece of fruit is terrible. Surely better food items could be sourced. There is a tiny seating area near the cafe but it was rammed. There are picnic benches but although there used to be parasols there is nothing but the trees to shelter under…. not great and the whole area is very scruffy. Also the toilets are not clean and badly maintained. I think the Lookout Discovery Centre could be great but it definitely needs attention to detail.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
568 reviews
Excellent
313
Very good
193
Average
42
Poor
14
Terrible
6
Lesley Welsted
Nottingham, UK9 contributions
Sept 2020
We were so excited to see the Look Out reopening. What a disappointment. They couldn't have made it more complicated and an unenjoyable experience if they'd tried. Main issue is lack of toilets. (Bird World, Alice Holt etc have all managed a really good system so it's not tricky). The entry system takes at least 2 minutes per person so the queue meant that we missed about 10 minutes of our session.
We then queued to get some refreshments but didn't realise we needed a code from a wrist band so lost our place in the queue. You then order and then some poor young lad has to run from one area to get the order to another area to serve it to you.
The ÂŁ5 charge just seems wrong and forces you to spend it in house when most people bring picnics. All in all, we won't hurry back.
We then queued to get some refreshments but didn't realise we needed a code from a wrist band so lost our place in the queue. You then order and then some poor young lad has to run from one area to get the order to another area to serve it to you.
The ÂŁ5 charge just seems wrong and forces you to spend it in house when most people bring picnics. All in all, we won't hurry back.
Written 1 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kellychaseblake
Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom7 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
It’s a lovely place, perfect for young school age children with an interest in science. My 3 and 6 year old were intrigued especially the older one. However we went in half term and although we got there early we left after an hour because it was just crazy. It was so busy and cramped and with the amount of kids in there the noise was deafening. There were babies and toddlers crawling all over the exhibits and when we left the queue was a good 150 people deep if not more. Car park was full and people queueing on the road to get in. It was such a shame as we had travelled over an hour to get there and paid to get in but it was in my opinion, over capacity for the space. We reluctantly headed home. Because my children are school age we wouldn’t be able to go any other time than holidays or weekends so sadly I don’t think we will visit again, which is a real shame because educational places like this are hard to come by. The venue itself was lovely but I’ve had to mark down as there was just too many people in there for it to be safe or enjoyable and I heard another woman asking a member of staff what the capacity was as we left so I wasn’t the only person that felt that way. Perhaps a suggestion would be to advise customers not to bring pushchairs in as they were just discarded all over the place. Photos are from the first few minutes as we were the first people through the door. Wish I’d taken some as we left!
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoventryRose
Coventry69 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Visited today on bikes, the weather was showery, and place was not at full capacity.
Ordered drinks at the takeaway cafe, given them on a tray, so we ASSUMED you would be able to use the large empty picnic table area. But when we came to enter the table area, we were told ALL picnic tables were reserved and none were available even for 10 minutes. Of the numerous tables available only 4 were occupied.
Seems a crazy scenario when you are actively encouraging takeaways from the cafe, but provide no seating for people to enjoy these.
The weaving barrier of barriers towards the MTB trails is an overkill and an accident waiting to happen.
Ordered drinks at the takeaway cafe, given them on a tray, so we ASSUMED you would be able to use the large empty picnic table area. But when we came to enter the table area, we were told ALL picnic tables were reserved and none were available even for 10 minutes. Of the numerous tables available only 4 were occupied.
Seems a crazy scenario when you are actively encouraging takeaways from the cafe, but provide no seating for people to enjoy these.
The weaving barrier of barriers towards the MTB trails is an overkill and an accident waiting to happen.
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clarese
Oxford, UK145 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Firstly I think it’s fair to say some of the reviews of this place have to be taken with a pinch of salt. Not expecting to pay for parking when the forest & parks are free where the discovery centre is located is a bit unrealistic and the website also makes it clear during term time they are open to schools so I guess you risk bumping into school trips so no shock there!
Location is brilliant and you can easily spend hours outside here if the weather is fine, bring a picnic. There is a cafe but the food is average for the price you pay for convenience and there are lots of picnic benches located next to the cafe & park.
The discovery centre had everything but 1 exhibition working and we found the place clean & the staff helpful & friendly.
My children are 2 & 11 so a bit of a mix and I would say my 11 year old is at the top end of this day out now, however the 2 year old brings out the fun in him and there was still enough for him to enjoy. Even adults were getting stuck into the puzzles and tasks available. We spent 1.5 hours inside mainly due to the play building site with the ride on diggers so the 3 hour time slot is generous.
During school holidays you do need to book we watched multiple families getting turned away.
Outside there is a great range of parks (free to use and not part of the discovery centre) and a den building area next to Go Ape.
Lots of parking available and lots of walkers and cyclists in the woodland. We will return for sure.
Location is brilliant and you can easily spend hours outside here if the weather is fine, bring a picnic. There is a cafe but the food is average for the price you pay for convenience and there are lots of picnic benches located next to the cafe & park.
The discovery centre had everything but 1 exhibition working and we found the place clean & the staff helpful & friendly.
My children are 2 & 11 so a bit of a mix and I would say my 11 year old is at the top end of this day out now, however the 2 year old brings out the fun in him and there was still enough for him to enjoy. Even adults were getting stuck into the puzzles and tasks available. We spent 1.5 hours inside mainly due to the play building site with the ride on diggers so the 3 hour time slot is generous.
During school holidays you do need to book we watched multiple families getting turned away.
Outside there is a great range of parks (free to use and not part of the discovery centre) and a den building area next to Go Ape.
Lots of parking available and lots of walkers and cyclists in the woodland. We will return for sure.
Written 27 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara H
Wokingham, UK6 contributions
Apr 2022
I have visited The Lookout many times with my children, grandchildren and school groups and have always been pleased. The last time I visited was 2018 but now have another grandchild old enough to enjoy the experience. Even though tickets are pre-booked with time slots, it was very crowded. Many of the experiences were either not in use, not working properly or had pieces missing. Only one hand dryer in the woodland and water experience was working and hand sanitizers were a bit hit and miss. All in all, it felt as if it needed a good clean, a bit of a revamp and a lot of TLC. However, the outside play area, the den building and walks were the saving grace. I will definitely return to the Lookout but not necessarily to the Indoor Discovery Centre.
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard W
Costa Blanca21 contributions
Nov 2021
Unfortunately, our visit was not a great experience. The inside was quite dusty and many of the activities looked as if the had not been cleaned for quite some time. Far too many were not working. The organisation for the cafe was atrocious. Queue at one window to place an order and pay without being able to see what it was you were ordering. We ordered 2 slices of cake which were handed to us straight away and two coffees for which we had to wait 15 minutes at another window. The pieces of four day old cake, judging by the day marked on the box, were tiny, solid and barely edible. The outside tables and benches were filthy with pine needles, bird droppings and other assorted rubbish.
The only reason this gets an average review instead of a terrible one was that the 9 year old we took with us, oblivious to all the failings, had a great time on the activities that were working and from what I could see, the outside activities and walks would be great in good weather.
The only reason this gets an average review instead of a terrible one was that the 9 year old we took with us, oblivious to all the failings, had a great time on the activities that were working and from what I could see, the outside activities and walks would be great in good weather.
Written 18 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristina S
28 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
This is a great place to come with the kids. There are plenty of activities and some for adults as well. Unfortunately some of the activities were not in use on the day we visited but there were still plenty to use. They are very creative and interesting. We went on a weekday and it was not busy at all so we had a nice experience.
The only negatives are around the cafe. Doesn’t have much selection and the food is not great. And there were some really cold areas as you enter the centre as those are not heated.
The only negatives are around the cafe. Doesn’t have much selection and the food is not great. And there were some really cold areas as you enter the centre as those are not heated.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saroj Gurung
London, UK10 contributions
Dec 2019
This place offers so much for children, parents and outdoor enthusiast. From ropeways up in the trees to battery-powered segway in two levels of the route and the science museum. Mountain bike-friendly with a lot of parking spaces.
Written 16 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeoffML
2 contributions
Jul 2023
Today I went for a walk in the Look out, a place I love, a place where I have been walking for at least thirty years only to be accosted by a very arrogant cyclist that stopped especially to tell me that I could not walk down the track she had just come down as it was for cycling.
I told her I was not going to go that way, I was going down a path nearby, and having set my blood boiling I also told her that when I first started walking in these woods she was still in nappies and she couldn't tell me anything.
I don't expect to walk in these woods to be treated in such a manner and I should mention that I had a similar incident a few years ago.
Who are these lycra clad upstarts that are taking possession and have become anti walker.
The managers of these forests need to remind cyclists that they have no authority over walkers, they are not forest rangers and should keep their mouths shut.
I told her I was not going to go that way, I was going down a path nearby, and having set my blood boiling I also told her that when I first started walking in these woods she was still in nappies and she couldn't tell me anything.
I don't expect to walk in these woods to be treated in such a manner and I should mention that I had a similar incident a few years ago.
Who are these lycra clad upstarts that are taking possession and have become anti walker.
The managers of these forests need to remind cyclists that they have no authority over walkers, they are not forest rangers and should keep their mouths shut.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrendaBerkshire
Wokingham, UK140 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
This is great for kids of all ages who love science. So many hands on things to do and lots to learn. On some things team building forms easily between young people of all ages and most are very patient with younger over excited little ones. There are so many things to do and it is great for drizzly days. Very good value for money as you can spend 3 hours for a value for money entry price. Also free carer for SEN/disabled youngsters which sadly not all venues offer. Pay and display car park with plenty of spaces.
There is also a Cycle Hub where you can hire bikes for all ages and go cycling through the Bracknell Forest.
One massive downside is the cafe. It is very expensive. A sausage roll costs £4 and was so greasy and tasteless…. it was inedible. Also £6.50 for a kids box a small cheese sandwich, small fruit shoot and 1 piece of fruit is terrible. Surely better food items could be sourced. There is a tiny seating area near the cafe but it was rammed. There are picnic benches but although there used to be parasols there is nothing but the trees to shelter under…. not great and the whole area is very scruffy. Also the toilets are not clean and badly maintained.
I think the Lookout Discovery Centre could be great but it definitely needs attention to detail.
There is also a Cycle Hub where you can hire bikes for all ages and go cycling through the Bracknell Forest.
One massive downside is the cafe. It is very expensive. A sausage roll costs £4 and was so greasy and tasteless…. it was inedible. Also £6.50 for a kids box a small cheese sandwich, small fruit shoot and 1 piece of fruit is terrible. Surely better food items could be sourced. There is a tiny seating area near the cafe but it was rammed. There are picnic benches but although there used to be parasols there is nothing but the trees to shelter under…. not great and the whole area is very scruffy. Also the toilets are not clean and badly maintained.
I think the Lookout Discovery Centre could be great but it definitely needs attention to detail.
Written 25 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there free wifi and can you access it if you just use the cafe?
Written 9 May 2024
clairejadams
Gerrards Cross, United Kingdom
Is the admission prices reasonable ?
Written 20 August 2018
Personally, I think so. You can park there for the whole day for ÂŁ4 and if you take the stub into the ticket office you can get ÂŁ2 off the adult admission to the interactive science exhibition, making an adult ticket ÂŁ5.60 instead of ÂŁ 7.60.
For families, it's ÂŁ20.40 for 2 adults and 2 kids or 1 adult and 3 kids, which works out to a fiver per person, and if it's just one parent and a toddler, it works out slightly cheaper than an adult ticket, ÂŁ6.55.
All in all, it's several hours worth of fun indoors. And once the kids have exhausted everything inside, there's the outdoor play area and picnic bit, which is AWESOME. Well worth the price and hours of entertainment value!
Written 21 August 2018
amybarnesah
Reading, United Kingdom
Is it just the lookout centre that doesn't open until 10am i.e could we park cars and bike ride before 10am?
Written 9 March 2018
Sarah L
Bracknell, United Kingdom
Hi Amy, The car park opens at 7am so you can access at any time after that. The coffee shop and toilets normally open at 9am and the Discovery Centre opens at 10am. Please note that the coffee shop is currently closed for refurbishment, it will reopen on Saturday 17 March. Hope that helps. Sarah
Written 13 March 2018
Hi there is there something to do for 11 year olds as well as little ones Thanks James
Written 24 February 2017
Sarah L
Bracknell, United Kingdom
Hi James, Sorry for the late reply. We offer a range of activities suitable for up to age 11/12. Some of our puzzles have grownups stumped and everyone loves building a house in our Build It. We also have other outdoor activities so we are definitely worth a visit.
Written 16 March 2017
ameliamontgomery
Guildford, United Kingdom
Is there an indoor area to eat picnics?
Written 10 February 2017
No, but there is a café with reasonable priced food
Written 12 February 2017
Sarah L
Bracknell, United Kingdom
Hi Pat. We are very suitable for 2 and 4 year olds. We have a Build It zone with diggers and large foam bricks, a woodland and water zone with a stream where you can build dams and play with boats, a role play shop with a till, a ball pond and large piano that you can play on to name a few of the exhibits. We also have a large outdoor play area suitable for under 5's. Hope that helps.
Written 28 October 2016
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