LONDON WEEKEND BREAKS - The London Planetarium

The planetarium is one of the city's oldest non cultural visitor attractions and it remains a staple component of the tourist diet for many London weekend breaks and day long excursions.

The planetarium was built as a part educational and part entertaining tourist venue capable of demonstrating astronomy, the night sky and celestial navigation. It is popular with visitors to the city and it also hosts many school and college parties that travel from across the UK. In the case of the latter, the emphasis is very much on "entertaining education".

The London Planetarium has a large dome shaped projection screen onto which images of the solar system are projected. These stars and systems can then be given the illusion of movement which enables a journey to be taken into the workings of the stars and other heavenly bodies.

Those in the theatre sit back with their heads tilted towards the domed ceiling and enjoy the realism of this highly unusual presentation. Regular shows last just over ten minutes and are scheduled every forty minutes. There are also some interactive areas within the structure.

The Planetarium and technology

The London Planetarium uses a number of different technologies including its famous star balls to mix optics, lasers and mechanics with video and projection techniques to create highly detailed celestial scenes that simulate the sky at night.

The presentations that these technologies produce can accurately depict any area of the visible solar system at any moment in time and from a view point anywhere on earth.

This makes the Planetarium a great substitute for picking up a telescope and the commentaries and narrations that accompany the presentations are always interesting and informative.

Special shows

In a addition to the more regular shows, you can also visit the London Planetarium to see themed shows where the emphasis is often moved more in the direction of entertainment.

Different presentations are scheduled throughout the year and many fit squarely in to the category of family entertainment. Some presentations also include music.

Tickets and location

The Planetarium makes a good half day's entertainment option for singles, couples and families, particularly when the weather is inclement.

Tickets are available separately for adults, children and families and start at 4 pounds Stirling for a child and increase up to 16 pounds Stirling for a family of four. Children aged under 5 are not suitable for the shows (prices may have changed).

The Planetarium is next to Madame Tussauds on Marylebone Road a minute or two from Baker Street.