As you head towards the Central Station along Westmorland Road, the sleek contemporary lines of the International Centre for Life come into view as the buildings sweep around the expanse of Times Square.
The ambitious ‘science village’ project does a good job in combining bioscience and genetics research with the Life Science Centre (opening times are Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm with last admissions at 4:00 pm), it aims to convey the scientific secrets of life by utilizing the latest in entertainment technology.
There are imaginative games that include ‘Cell Wars’ where you are invited to help Professor Pukestopper to zap as many bacteria as he can.
Other stories include ‘Jack’s Story’ which shows a 3D film of a baby developing from an embryo to birth, 3D motion-simulator rides, a sound and light ‘Big Brain’ show, and a huge exhibit of the history of human life.
More attractions have been added to the site and more are planned for development, in the winter, a huge open-air ice rink is opened to the public (November to February). If you are taking children to the museum you should expect to be there for a good few hours as it really opens up the imagination.