Our Events
Visit Sherwood Observatory for our special events. These are special features that are not part of our normal programming and may be suitable for professional audiences or the general public. Please check each event description for more details.
Event Date: Monday 3rd August 1pm
Come for a fun-packed family session with astronomer Dr Sarah Crick exploring her new children’s book, Mira’s Moon!
Mira’s Moon is a rhyming picture book written by Dr Sarah Crick and illustrated by Lee Holland. During the story, we go on a space adventure with Mira, who is a courageous vole who loves to explore new worlds. Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus, with its rumoured under-crust ocean, has captured her attention. Along with her big brother Phoenix and their robotic worm, she sets off to Enceladus in search of alien sea creatures! We follow their story to see if they are the first to find aliens!
The ticket price includes:
– Family space picture quiz with prizes.
– A read through of the book with Dr Sarah Crick.
– A craft session where children and their adults can make moon-themed mosaics, chalk drawings of Enceladus and complete some exclusive book colouring pages adding their own sparkle to the characters in the book.
– Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase at the event. If you already have a copy, bring it along for Sarah to sign.
Book Now
Event Date: Thursday 13th August 7pm
Join us at Sherwood Observatory Planetarium where Rolf Williams will be giving a fascinating and motivational lecture about making your dreams come true, and sharing his first-hand account of the historic Space Shuttle program.
Illustrated with unique images, astronaut interviews, audio and video recordings, this presentation will take you right into the heart of Space Shuttle launch operations spanning 23 years. The talk references Rolf’s unique collection of Space Shuttle hardware and memorabilia which has been kindly loaned to us, and is on display in the Science Centre’s exhibition area.
Rolf’s presentation will conclude with a presenter-led live night sky tour, also held in the Planetarium.
Tickets are £8.50 for an adult, £7 for a child (4-15)
Please note that under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Book NowChris Miggells, as seen on Channel 4’s new season of ‘The Piano’, returns to Sherwood Observatory with his highly anticipated show, The Piano Experience™. This Candle-lit concert is performed live within our restored Victorian reservoir space, which features our NEW Solar System and rocket exhibitions. The acoustics within this setting are particularly unique! Miggells’ reservoir performances in 2025 sold out quickly and received high praise from those who attended.
As featured on BBC, ITV, Ch4 and described by Notts TV as “the Banksy of the piano world,” Miggells is best known for his album Synesthese, featuring the iconic tracks Stone Giant, Flight of the Phoenix, and Aurora. These compositions are inspired by elemental forces and transformed through his experience of synesthesia. With a growing catalogue and a fiercely individual vision, Miggells has rapidly established a reputation in the modern classical realm with live performances that push the boundaries of traditional concert experiences. Book now to secure your seats.
There are also a limited number of tickets for a pre-concert planetarium show, should you wish to enhance your experience even further!
Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Prices are: £34.50, with an optional planetarium show for only £5.00
Book Now
Queen Heaven has been featured in planetaria around the world from Germany to Japan – and now you can see it in here at Sherwood Observatory!
This extraordinary 360 degree show, originally produced in 2001 features the best of Queen’s music, including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’; ‘We Will Rock You’; ‘Radio Gaga’ and ‘We are the Champions’, combining classic music videos, immersive visuals and archive footage.
This show has been approved by Queen and inspired by their music, and as such, contains non-astronomy content. It contains some visuals which may cause some people to feel a sensation of movement.
This show is primarily entertainment rather than educational. Also, due to the duration of this show it will not be followed by a presenter talk or Q&A.
Runtime – approx 80mins
Suitable for viewers aged 13 and over only. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are £17.00 for this show.
Join us, in collaboration with Dr Ross Hockham, co-founder of UK Astronomy for an unparalleled opportunity to delve deep into the mysteries of our solar system and its celestial wonders. Learn about our solar system – from the Sun all the way out to dwarf planet Pluto, with pics from UK Astronomy members, and from beginners to NASA images.
With fun facts about each and how to see them in your skies. Using inflatable planets for hands on education, the talk is perfect for all budding Astronomers!
Following the talk there will be a full dome show of “We Are Stars” in our state-of-the-art planetarium.
The cafe will be open for hot & cold drinks and snacks from 6pm prior to the talk that begins at 6.45pm
There will be another opportunity to get cold drinks & snacks at 7.45pm during the intermission.
For Ages 4 and over.
COMING SOON
Join local poet and writer Fiona Theokritoff to do some writing that’s out of this world!
For inspiration, you’ll watch CAPCOM Go! This film outlines the astonishing successes of the Apollo program during the 1960s: detailing achievements that led up to Neil Armstrong’s historic moonwalk in 1969.
You’ll have access to the exhibition onsite. This treasure trove of original newspaper coverage, information, models and other items, highlights the people who worked tirelessly to develop Space Race technology.
Fiona will also guide you through some light-hearted activities and writing exercises to give you creative lift off! 🚀
Suitable for beginners as well as those who have done creative writing before, aged 16 and over
***COMING SOON***