Things To Do

History of Science Museum

Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, GB

Rating: 4.4 ★ (2371 ratings)

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.

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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

Comments

K. Peake

12 Mar 2026

5.0 ★

This was a super museum to visit, going through instruments of the Royal Astronomic Society at the start! These include telescopes, reflecting circles and sundials, really appreciate the golden and copper colours. General physics instruments are shown appropriately in their own compartment, becomes more detailed later on where ones used for more complex purposes are on display. The clocks are a nice touch and their different displays are interesting, some being long with the time in the middle and others having a more traditional shape!

Chris Gledhill

13 Feb 2026

2.0 ★

It’s free to enter with a suggested donation. I’d recommend having a look round first before making a donation. There’s not a lot here. The top floor was closed and the bottom floor was closing for a private event so all the staff were rushing about carrying chairs. The few exhibits were interesting and can’t complain too much as it’s free. Doesn’t compare to the Ashmolean or Pitt Rivers which have far more to see.

Joshua Park

2 Feb 2026

5.0 ★

Great museum, had a very nice time. It is quite small, and unfortunately the top floor was closed when I came to visit but i would definitely say it is still worth visiting. They had an unbelievably cool display of a chalkboard that Einstein himself wrote on while giving a talk at Oxford. Tons of other very cool exhibits. Highly recommend to anyone interested in science.

Richard Sharp

9 Jan 2026

4.0 ★

It was a fascinating collection that could do with more space. An array of scientific instruments and quirky novelties wrapped up with the usual story boards.

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