The Astronomy & Nature Centre Ltd is the home of three companies: Scopes’n’Skies, Pulsar Optical and Astro Engineering. Scopes’n’Skies is a specialist retailer of optical equipment and accessories, catering for astronomy and wildlife enthusiasts at all levels across the UK. Pulsar Optical is a retailer of a wide range of astronomical equipment and observatories. Also based at the Astronomy and Nature Centre are Astro Engineering, the UK’s largest designer and manufacturer of astronomy and optical accessories.
Scopes’n’Skies and Pulsar Optical operate nationwide — which means all customers, be they in the northern-most tip of the Shetland Isles or in central London, can enjoy the benefits froom our unique product range, low prices and expert knowledge.
We’re modern internet companies but we share traditional service values, and together we operate one of the largest optical equipment showrooms in Europe. For the nature watcher we have over 160 binoculars on show (and 5 - 10,000 binoculars in stock at any one time!). We have a full range of spotting scopes set up in a permanent display for you to try. Not to mention a great range of accessories — many of which can only be obtained from us and are truly unique (that’s to say unique in the world, not just the UK!).
Scopes’n’Skies and Pulsar Optical offer full 24/7 online shopping and hands-on help and advice from experienced astronomers and nature watchers when you need it — our service is available to anyone with a telephone or internet connection. We are a modern business that employs the latest retail sales and delivery technologies, but unlike so many of our competitors we’re definitely not just a website. We may be 100% modern but we are traditional expertise-driven businesses and our combined showroom has one of the largest displays of optical equipment for wildlife watching and astronomy in Europe. You can spend as long as you like trying the scopes and binoculars (and see for yourself that what we say about our products is spot on!). The tea and coffee is always on and our helpful staff will be sure to make you feel welcome.
At the Astronomy and Nature Centre we aim to offer one of the most comprehensive ranges of astronomy and birdwatching optics and accessories in the UK. From low-priced starter kits to get you going, to the most advanced instruments and complete research-grade observatories for astronomy — all in one location! It’s a fact; we have the largest display of serious observatory hardware in Europe.
We’ve got what you need at sensible, down-to-earth prices. If you are new to observing (wildlife or astronomy) we’ve got starter kits and entry level products that will draw you into the hobby without disappointment. We’re proud that we have started the birdwatching and astronomy hobbies of literally tens of thousands of customers. But we can surprise the seasoned expert too, with products you will not have seen anywhere else on the planet. Now that’s a boast you don’t see everyday! Have you noticed that most companies these days seem to be selling the same products? Companies have become more or less safe Xerox copies of one another with “we will price match” being their badge of blandness. At the most recent count we supply over 130 products that are exclusive to Scopes’n’Skies and Pular Optical — from binoculars to astro accessories. We don’t sell cheap products — we sell great products cheaply and we make sure you get the best value for money right from the start (without having to plead for it!).
See our displays from Meade, Celestron, Bresser, Sky-Watcher, Williams Optics, Antares, Astro Engineering, ScopeTeknix, Simmons, Weaver and many more top-brand products. Outdoors we have functioning observatories, and indoor permanent displays of complete fibreglass observatory buildings for you to peruse. The showrooms feature displays of some of the finest telescopes and binoculars available in the world.
Our Bargain Zones feature the largest second-user display in the UK with over 3000 used items available! All our pre-owned stock is fully tested and carries a three-month warranty. Part-exchange is welcome on most items (including pre-owned) and good equipment is always wanted for cash.
The Astronomy & Nature Centre is a Meade and Bresser service centre, providing all aspects of telescope repair, servicing and collimation. You'll find we practice what we preach — there’s even daytime astronomy at the centre, observing the Sun and even the brighter planets whenever the opportunity arises.
Visit us, either on the internet or in person, and find out for yourself why we are one of the most unique businesses in the UK.
View our map page for details on how to find and contact us.
The Astronomy & Nature Centre is home to Scopes’n’Skies and Astro Engineering. 8,000 sqft of nature and astronomy optics hardware under one roof.
The Astronomy & Nature Centre Virtual Tour
Scopes’n’Skies offers a huge range of binoculars, and birdwatching accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers.
Visit our showroom and take your time to select the best binocular for your needs.
Our showroom features a comparison display of all our spotting scopes for bird, nature and astronomy observing.
On display: many of the finest astronomy telescopes in the world, as well as some of the best and lowest priced starter scope and kits available in the UK.
Always on display: the largest range of serious observatory hardware in Europe, everything you need from high technology piers to observatory domes.
At the Astronomy & Nature Centre we hold the largest stocks of astronomy accessories by Astro Engineering, ScopeTeknix and Antares in Europe with additional selections from other leading brands (Meade etc)
Our 8,000 sq ft warehouse holds one of the largest retail stocks of binoculars and telescopes in Europe.
Astro Engineering manufactures a range of over 400 astronomy accessories, including a quality range of binocular mounts and accessories.