We The Curious

The museum opened in 2000 (back then it was called @Bristol) and it was initially centred around the exhibits from Exploratory, a science museum that closed a year earlier. The museum originally included an IMAX cinema and Wildwalk, an area consisting of nature-related exhibits including two artificial rainforests and an aquarium, however, these two areas closed in March 2007 and the Wildwalk building is now home to Bristol Aquarium. In September 2017, @Bristol was renamed We The Curious.

The museum was closed temporarily for over two years following a fire in April 2022 and re-opened on 2 July 2024.

What to see at We The Curious

The Main Gallery, or Project What If, on the ground floor features interactive exhibits based on questions posed by local residents. This includes exhibits that provide explanations and answers to questions such as, “Will we ever find a way to prevent being ill?”.

Also on the ground floor, the museum’s North Gallery features two themed areas focusing on the science behind flight and food.

The First Floor Gallery at We The Curious is full of areas with interactive exhibits and activity zones where you can create animations, learn about construction and discover how our brains and bodies work.

We The Curious also features the only 3D planetarium in the United Kingdom, although there is an additional charge to visit the planetarium.

Visiting We The Curious

We The Curious is near Millenium Square in the Canon’s Wharf area of Bristol. Nearby attractions include Bristol Aquarium and Bristol Cathedral and it is just a short walk across Pero’s Bridge to Arnolfini, Queen Square and the Old City.

Like most science museums, We The Curious is a great spot to take the kids, however, it is not a particularly cheap attraction to visit and there is an additional charge for planetarium shows (£4). Admission is cheaper if you visit after 3pm, as you’ll have less time to see the exhibits.

The complex is wheelchair accessible and there is a hearing loop in the planetarium for visitors with a hearing impairment and some of the exhibits are adapted for blind and visually impaired visitors.

The museum has a nice cafe on site and there is a good choice of other places to eat and drink nearby, particularly alongside the waterfront.

It also has a gift shop, which like most museum gift shops is a great place to pick up unique gifts and souvenirs.

Most people spend between three and four hours here.