Located on Free School Lane in Cambridge, England, inside the former Perse School, the Whipple Museum of the History of Science offers you a fascinating look into scientific discovery. Founded in 1944 when Robert Whipple, chairman of the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company, donated his personal collection to the University of Cambridge, this institution holds designated status for its national and international importance.
As part of the University of Cambridge Museums consortium and the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, it plays an active role in university teaching and research. When you visit, you will explore an extensive collection of scientific instruments, models, apparatus, prints, photographs, pictures, and early books.
The holdings are particularly strong in items dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries, highlighting craft work produced by English instrument makers, though you can also view objects ranging from the medieval period up to the present day. You will see fine instruments used for astronomy, navigation, surveying, drawing, and calculating, alongside intricate sundials, mathematical instruments, early electrical apparatus, and historical instruments formerly used across the university's own colleges and departments.
What to see at Whipple Museum of the History of Science
- Extensive collection of scientific instruments dating from medieval times to the present
- Strong focus on 17th to 19th-century English instrument makers' crafts
- Historical instruments for astronomy, navigation, surveying, drawing, and calculating
- Early electrical apparatus, mathematical instruments, and intricate sundials
- Scientific apparatus formerly used throughout the University of Cambridge
Visiting tips
Take note of the operating hours when scheduling your trip, as the museum opens from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Saturday morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Whipple Museum of the History of Science is easy to reach on Cambridge’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Fitzwilliam Museum and Harvard Art Museums. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Cambridge travel guide.
See the full Cambridge travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.