Visit us
Welcome to the Whipple Museum of the History of Science
Our Opening Times:
Open five days a week, plus the third Saturday of every month!
Monday 12.30 - 16:30
Tuesday 12.30 - 16:30
Wednesday 12.30 - 16:30
Thursday 12.30 - 16:30
Friday 12.30 - 16:30
Selected Saturdays 10.00 - 16.00, view dates here.
Access Update: Lift Works 2026
The Museum's lift has served us well for over fifteen years and is now due for replacement. From 2 February to April 2026, the lift will be out of service while these essential works are carried out.
We very much appreciate your understanding during this period. For further information or queries, please contact enquiries@whipplemuseum.cam.ac.uk.
Groups
We welcome group visits to the museum. Due to our small size, groups of more than 10 people must book at least one week in advance.
The maximum group size per timeslot is 30 people. If your group is larger, please make two separate bookings or contact us so we can suggest a suitable timetable.
For groups with students under 18, an adult must accompany them at all times. We require a minimum ratio of 1 adult per 20 students in the galleries, and group leaders must remain with their group throughout the visit.
Book your group visit here. On arrival, please check in with the Visitor Services Assistant at the front desk.
Contact us:
Email: enquiries@whipplemuseum.cam.ac.uk
Telephone: 01223 330906
Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RH
How to find us
The Museum has two entrances. If you are a booked group of less than 10, please come to the Main Entrance on Free School Lane. This is suitable for visitors who are comfortable climbing a flight of stairs.
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Visitors requiring step-free access or groups of more than 10 should use our back entrance, which is accessable via the Pembroke Arch (see below).
Our entrance on Free School Lane is open as usual.
By train: Cambridge Station is a 25 minute or 1.1 mile walk from the museum. Trains run frequently to London Kings Cross (55 minute journey time). Taxis and buses run frequently from the station to the city centre.
By bus: The Museum is an 8 minute or 650 metre walk from the main bus station at Drummer Street. See bus timetables.
By car: There is no visitor parking. We encourage our visitors to use the Cambridge Park and Ride facilities wherever possible. If you wish to park in the city centre, the Grand Arcade multi-storey car park on Corn Exchange Street is the closest car park to the Museum. This car park has blue badge parking for disabled visitors.
Bicycle parking: There are bike racks outside our front and back entrances.
Accessibility
Taking photographs and drawing in the Museum
Visitors are welcome to take and share photos for non-commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to take photos for purposes with commercial potential must contact the Museum in advance.
The use of tripods, selfie sticks, external flashes, lighting are not permitted within the Museum.
Visitors are not permitted to film other visitors (except their own friends and family, with their permission).
Production companies interested in using the Museum as a filming location should contact the Museum. Please note that filming is not permitted during public opening hours.
Viewing specific objects
The Museum has an extensive collection, and not all objects are on display. If you are interested in viewing a particular object, please contact us to check whether it is currently on display.