- Enter a world of incredible experiences and discover the story of planet Earth and learn how life evolved here.
- Located in the heart of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, Dynamic Earth is a five-star attraction that has welcomed over four million visitors since opening.
- Explore the museum's fascinating interactive exhibitions, from the Big Bang theory to experiencing an earthquake firsthand.
- See a film in the planetarium and enjoy 360° digital dome technology and atmospheric surround sound.
- Delve into the aquatic underworld and experience a 30-feet wall of waves demonstrating the importance of the ocean.
Travel through time and unearth the past, present and future of the planet Earth. Get ready to be blown away by fascinating facts about the weird and wonderful planet we live in. The recognisable tented structure is situated at the foot of Salisbury Crags on Holyrood Road in Edinburgh's Royal Mile in Scotland on the grounds of an old brewery bottling plant. The museum was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999, and was the United Kingdom's first funded project by the Millennium Commission opened to the public. It was built to commemorate the life of the Scottish geologist and father of modern geology, James Hutton, who worked and studied in Edinburgh during the age of enlightenment. The venue also importantly stimulated the economic regeneration of the Holyrood area.
From the Big Bang to present day, witness the story of our planet at this awesome attraction in Scotland. This brilliant immersive tour will take you on a 4DVENTURE journey around the world where you can experience Earth's natural forces firsthand. See how the universe began from the Deep Time Machine and travel through space and time faster than than light. Feel the Earth shake and observe volcanoes explode, unearth the power of ice, and come face to face with a variety of different habitats that support life on Earth. At the interactive science centre, expect lots of interactive displays, hands-on experiences and visual and sensory displays to keep curious kids busy. This multi-sensory experience enables visitors to learn about Earth's history.
Catch a film in the unmissable state-of-the-art planetarium. The breathtaking 360° planetarium screens a wide variety of brilliant immersive films throughout the year, including films about the first Moon landing and the Apollo Space programme story, supervolcanoes and the evolution of the Universe. Films often focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topics.
For children under the age of 10, there is the brilliant Ocean Commotion Soft Play. Mini explorers can have an abundance of fun trawling the seas in search for treasure whilst exploring the depths of the ocean.
It's easy to spend a whole morning morning or afternoon here, but once you have finished there are a variety of must-see attractions on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's Gallery and Edinburgh Castle. Or, visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, which is berthed just two miles from the city in the old maritime centre Leith. In service between 1954 and 1997, this royal yacht was home to Queen Elizabeth II.
What to know before you go
- From kids' clubs to outdoor learning workshops, Dynamic Earth has a variety of family-friendly activities. The venue also has events throughout the year, including gala dinners and receptions, conferences and meetings, weddings, ceremonies and graduation balls.
- Dynamic Earth has translated gallery guides available in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Italian, German, French, Chinese, Polish, Russian and Portuguese. Audio guides are also available free of charge in Spanish, Italian, German, French and English.
- It is possible to take buggies into Dynamic Earth.
- Dynamic Earth has full wheelchair access. There is ramp access available to the entrance of the venue and there are lifts throughout so all exhibitions can be seen. There is also a lift to the car park.
- Audio guides are available for people with visual impairments, and there are transcripts available for visitors with hearing impairments.
- Assistance dogs are permitted into Edinburgh's Dynamic Earth.
- Please be aware that in some of the exhibition galleries there is strobe lighting, which can affect people with epilepsy.
- Public toilets are situated on level 2. There are disabled toilets available on both sides of the venue. There are two baby-change facilities on each side of the building.
- There is a cloakroom available.
- The Ocean Commotion Soft Play Area is situated in the Natural Selection Gift Shop. It is available for kids aged under 10 years old. Parents are required to supervise their kids at all times.
- Enjoy some lunch or a snack at the Food Chain Cafe. The cafe serves sandwiches, baguettes, hot food, cakes and desserts and a great kids' menu with favourites like Mac and cheese. The cafe offers wonderful views of the Salisbury Crags, Arthur's Seat and the Scottish Parliament buildings. There are highchairs available as well as a baby bottle and food warming area.
- Drop in at the Natural Selection Gift Shop, which sells unique and bespoke gifts and eco-friendly souvenirs.
Getting there
- Situated at the bottom of Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, the venue is approximately a 15-minute walk from Princes Street in the city centre.
- Edinburgh Waverley railway station is a 20-minute walk away. There are direct trains from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross within 4 hours and 20 minutes. The station also has direct trains to destinations including Derby, Newcastle, Sheffield, York, Leeds, Exeter St Davids, Bristol Temple Meads and Birmingham New Street.
- If you are coming by bike, Dynamic Earth is very close to the National Cycle Network.
- By bus, local Lothian routes 6 and 35 stops near Dynamic Earth. Or you can also hop off any Edinburgh City Sightseeing bus tour at the venue.
- Edinburgh Airport is just eight miles from Dynamic Earth. From here, follow the A8 to the city centre and Dynamic Earth is signposted.
- Dynamic Earth has an on-site car park situated underneath the venue. Charges range from £3.50 for up to one hour to £19.50 for 7 - 24 hours. The NCP Edinburgh Holyrood Road car park is a 13-minute walk away.
