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    Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    Overall rating

    4

    1 review

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    About

    The Whipple Museum of the History of Science is one of the University of Cambridge Museums and holds an internationally significant collection of scientific instruments, apparatus, models, pictures, prints, photographs, books and other material related to the history of science. Now holding around 10,000 objects dating from the medieval period to present day, the original collection of around 1000 objects was donated to the University in 1944 by Robert Whipple. The museum's galleries cover astronomy, navigation, teaching and learning, measurement, calculating and more - including some of the more curious objects relating to the history of science. The museum is embedded within the University of Cambridge Department of History and Philosophy of Science, and remains involved with teaching and research in the department.

    Reviews

    Overall rating

    4

    (1 review)

    Overall rating breakdown

    5

    0

    4

    1

    3

    0

    2

    0

    1

    0

    Access (avg.)

    5

    Parking (avg.)

    2

    Toilets (avg.)

    5

    Staff (avg.)

    5

    User profile picture

    zzeezzee

    Apr 2026

    star

    4

    Small, specialised museum

    The first thing you must do if you're planning to visit this museum is visit the website! The disabled entrance is on Pembroke Street, round the corner from the main entrance and it's not terribly easy to find. Once you do find it there is a ramp access to the door and a lift to all floors just inside the door. The museum has three 'galleries' all accessible by lift and all quite spacious. Wheelchair users will have no problem getting about. It's only a small museum but it's free and I spent a pleasant hour in there.
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    Disabled Access Information Provided by Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    Disabled Access at Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    The museum has step-free access via it's entrance on the New Museums Site, which is accessible through the Pembroke archway on Pembroke Street. Once you enter the archway, take the first left, and then follow the road around to the left again to find our sign and entrance. For a map, click here: http://www.sites.hps.cam.ac.uk/whipple/images/visiting/newmuseumssite-map.gif . There is step-free access to our galleries and accessible toilet via a lift at this entrance. Wheelchair users may require staff assistance to access the galleries as we do not have automatic doors. There is another entrance on Free School Lane which leads the visitor up two short sets of steps and through the department into the museum. There is blue badge parking in the bays on Free School Lane, directly outside our front entrance. There are bags available containing sensory toys, sunglasses and ear defenders for children. These are available at the front of the Main Gallery. Cambridge Shop Mobility at the Grand Arcade car park has a Changing Places toilet on the Level -1 of the South (Lower) car park.

    Accessible parking at Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    There is on-street pay and display and blue badge parking available outside the museum on Free School Lane that is provided by the council. There is no parking available on the New Museums Site. The closest car park is the Grand Arcade Car Park, which also has a Changing Places toilet.
    Dedicated on site parking

    Toilets features at Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    There is one accessible toilet on site with a wide-opening door, grab rails, an easy turn lock and tap and an emergency alarm. The toilet is located close to our accessible entrance, on our ground floor.Cambridge Shop Mobility at the Grand Arcade car park has a Changing Places toilet on the Level -1 of the South (Lower) car park.
    Accessible toilet icon
    Accessible toilet

    A designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements is available within the main public areas.

    Accessible formats at Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    Large print

    Information is available in large print format.

    Accessible services at Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    Audio Description

    Audio description is available to describe visual information.

    Assistance dog facilities

    More Information

    For additional detailed accessibility information, please contact: hps-whipple-museum@lists.cam.ac.uk

    Contact

    Opens in a new windowhttps://www.facebook.com/Whipple-Museum-of-the-History-of-Science-208159975893834/
    + 01223330906
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    Whipple Museum of the History of Science Website

    Location

    Free School Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom, CB2 3RH

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