EXPLORAZONE

EXPLORAZONE is back at New Road Baptist Church on Saturday 17 October, running from 11am to 5pm. It's the hands-on interactive zone of IF Oxford, the city's science and ideas festival, and it's run by the charity The Oxfordshire Science Festival.

Inside, you'll find dozens of interactive activities and demonstrations to get stuck into, and you can meet the inventors and researchers from across town who are behind them. It's a proper 'do it yourself' setup rather than a 'look but don't touch' exhibition, so you'll be trying things out for yourself. A typical visit takes about an hour and a half to two hours, which gives you plenty of time to work your way through a good chunk of what's on without having to rush.

There's a thoughtful start to the day, too: from 11am, the zone is reserved for adults and children on the autistic spectrum or with other neurodivergent conditions, and for families who need a quieter, less-crowded space. It's a nice way to get in and explore before the main crowd arrives.

On the money side, the festival keeps itself free at the point of entry for everyone who needs it to be. They run a Pay What You Decide model, so you give what you can afford; the suggested donation is £7.50 per person, but there's a free ticket option if that's what you need. Any voluntary donation may be eligible for Gift Aid, which lets the charity claim an extra 25% at no cost to you. The zone is open from 11am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, at New Road Baptist Church, 14 Bonn Square, Oxford OX1 1LQ.