History of Science Museum

The History of Science Museum houses an unrivalled collection of early scientific instruments in the Old Ashmolean on Broad Street.

The History of Science Museum is open to the public six days a week with permanent galleries, special exhibitions and a busy programme of events. Located in the Old Ashmolean it houses the world’s finest collection of early scientific instruments, unrivalled in its coverage of the period up to about 1700.

Discover objects associated with such diverse figures as George III, Einstein, and Lawrence of Arabia. See outstanding collections of astrolabes, sundials and other early mathematical instruments are augmented by later microscopes, telescopes, cameras, physical apparatus and the recent addition of the Marconi Collection.

The Museum of the History of Science is an active public museum, offering a programme of public lectures, family-friendly events, gallery tours, table talks and much more, along with taught sessions for schools. As well as our permanent displays, visitors to the Museum enjoy special exhibitions highlighting areas of the collection.

Galleries at the History of Science Museum

The Museum has three galleries for its permanent collection, arranged on the three floors of its 17th-century building. The Top Gallery is devoted to mathematical instruments (astrolabes and spheres, measurement and calculation, Medieval and Renaissance, East and West). The Entrance Gallery has the reception and shop, introductory objects,  and four “corner collections”. The main Basement Gallery displays chemical, physical and medical items, along with Einstein’s blackboard. The Special Exhibition Gallery is also at basement level.

Visiting the History of Science Museum

Admission to the History of Science Museum is free and is open Tuesday to Sunday with standard opening hours of 12 noon to 5pm. Regular family-friendly events are hosted for children with free trails available during open hours, and charged guided tours of the Museum can be arranged. It is recommended that groups for more than 10 should pre-book visits. Free public tours run every Saturday at 12.30pm and 1.15pm and every Thursday at 2.30pm and 3.15pm. Each tour lasts for approximately half an hour.

The Museum has a comprehensive calendar of displays, exhibitions and events throughout the year.  For a full schedule of what’s on, visit the Museum’s website