 The artistic planetarium and water features in Millennium Square @Bristol is a pioneering public science and technology "exploration" and education centre in Bristol, England. The centre encorporates Wildwalk, a biome, the biology section of the site, and Explore, which contains features on physics, earth science, chemistry, computer science and technology. @Bristol also encorporates an IMAX cinema and a planetarium. @Bristol is particularly aimed at families and children.
The project is a successor to the Exploratory, a small science museum and demonstration centre in the former terminus train shed at Temple Meads Station (now home to the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum), but moved to a city centre site as part of the regeneration of the historical Floating Harbour. The project was funded with UK£45 million by the National Lottery, Millennium Commission, South West of England Regional Development Fund and Bristol city council, and a further £45 million from commercial partners, including a controversial donation from Nestlé.
The centure is situated on the former Cannons Wharf, Wildwalk occupying a modified 19th century factry building and Explore occupying a 540ft by 133ft 1906 railway goods shed. The goods shed was one of the first buildings to use reinforced concrete and both buildings are Grade II listed buildings. The buildings are located around Millennium Square, also part of the regeneration, and Pero's Bridge, a footbridge across the harbour which links it to the Arnolfini art gallery, Bristol Industrial Museum and Queen's Square.
The IMAX and Wildwalk are two of the principal hosts of the Bristol Festival of Nature.
Compare with: Eden Project.
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