History of Science Museum

Details

Within the walls of the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum, the Old Ashmolean building dating from 1683, an extraordinary collection of scientific thought and endeavour awaits. This historic Broad Street institution houses an unparalleled array of early scientific instruments, from intricate astrolabes – the museum holds the most complete collection globally – to beautifully crafted sundials, quadrants, and early mathematical tools that charted the heavens and quantified the earth. The very atmosphere of the 17th-century architecture, originally designed to foster scientific inquiry with a chemical laboratory in the basement and a School of Natural History on the middle floor, enhances the visitor's journey into the heart of scientific discovery. It's a compact treasure trove where each artefact tells a compelling story of innovation and humanity's enduring quest for knowledge.

Beyond the stunning array of astronomical and timekeeping devices, the museum showcases pivotal moments in scientific history. A truly iconic exhibit is Einstein's blackboard, preserved from his 1931 lectures at Oxford, its chalk equations offering a tangible link to his revolutionary theories on the cosmos. You can also explore artefacts relating to Guglielmo Marconi's pioneering work in wireless telegraphy, alongside items that illuminate Oxford's crucial role in the development of penicillin. The collections span from antiquity to the early 20th century, encompassing not only globally significant scientific instruments but also objects connected to figures like Lawrence of Arabia and Lewis Carroll, revealing the diverse pathways of scientific exploration and its cultural intersections.

Visit Website

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Location

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM; Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Contact

+44 1865 277293