History of Science Museum
History of Science Museum
4
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
See Islamic instruments from the Middle Ages, Einstein's blackboard and the first cultures of the life-saving antibiotic Penicillin under one roof. Discover. Connect. Inspire.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience History of Science Museum
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
580 within 3 miles
Attractions
188 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
645 reviews
Excellent
269
Very good
240
Average
97
Poor
25
Terrible
14
Chris M
283 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Title says it all, this museum is a history of science so instead of science per-ce it focuses on the development of scientific knowledge. So showing things such as how telescopes etc have evolved.
Great collection of priceless artifacts. For a 'free museum' it's hard to fault. Some of the exhibits are lacking in information about them just name, age and manufacturer...
It is small and there are no amenities (toilets or cafe). However friendly/helpful staff make up for this.
Great collection of priceless artifacts. For a 'free museum' it's hard to fault. Some of the exhibits are lacking in information about them just name, age and manufacturer...
It is small and there are no amenities (toilets or cafe). However friendly/helpful staff make up for this.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chloe L
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Couples
Very boring. We thought it would be exciting a a little interactive, but it was basically globes and compasses in glass cases. Very tiny and only 3 rooms and everyone other than the woman greeting us looked very bored. The First Lady we saw who worked there was very lovely and friendly. Interesting to read the facts, but I think they really need to have a more exciting element to it. I can’t imagine how people are with children because even myself and my partner found it pretty boring. We only spent about 15-20 mins in there in total, and I was very excited to go in.
I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you don’t have a lot to do, give it a go as it’s free.
I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you don’t have a lot to do, give it a go as it’s free.
Written August 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alistair L
Reading, UK10 contributions
Nov 2022
I like museums. I'm fascinated by the history of science, and have written and lectured about it. I think is an important topic for everyone, as it shows how science works and how theory develops. I was looking forward to visiting this museum, but it was a vast disappointment. There was so much wrong with the whole experience.
First, it is not about the history of science, but rather a seemingly random collection of instruments that have been donated. The great majority of these are astrolabes, but with some microscopes and telescopes thrown in. Many of these are beautifully made instruments, but there are far too many on display. A history of science museum should explain how science has developed, using their artefacts to illustrate that. These instruments cover a minute aspect of the development of science, but there is no attempt to put even these into a historical context. Einstein's blackboard might have been interesting to view, but that section of the museum was closed on the day we visited.
Allied to the apparent randomness of the displays, there are some telescopes in the basement and some on the second floor. The cards listing the exhibits, note not describing the exhibits, are written on small cards in a minute text, and in some cases the cards are placed at the base of the display case, and thus totally unreadable unless you crouched down to read them.
The display about the Oxford Covid vaccine is trivial and not really about the vaccine. There is no science in it.
There were quite a few staff standing around talking to each other, making no attempt to explain what it was about. The only interaction I saw was a member of staff telling a group of young people rather brusquely that they couldn't bring in their cups of coffee.
How could it be improved? Although their range of instruments is very limited, they could do a lot more with what they have. Big readable posters putting the exhibits in context would be a help, eg how the telescope developed, how the astrolabe developed., etc. One astrolabe could be set out as a working model, with a member of staff demonstrating it. The instruments that are on display should be described, not just listed, in big readable cards. Lastly, they should make some attempt to obtain a greater range of instruments and get some outside help to organise the museum in a more modern manner.
First, it is not about the history of science, but rather a seemingly random collection of instruments that have been donated. The great majority of these are astrolabes, but with some microscopes and telescopes thrown in. Many of these are beautifully made instruments, but there are far too many on display. A history of science museum should explain how science has developed, using their artefacts to illustrate that. These instruments cover a minute aspect of the development of science, but there is no attempt to put even these into a historical context. Einstein's blackboard might have been interesting to view, but that section of the museum was closed on the day we visited.
Allied to the apparent randomness of the displays, there are some telescopes in the basement and some on the second floor. The cards listing the exhibits, note not describing the exhibits, are written on small cards in a minute text, and in some cases the cards are placed at the base of the display case, and thus totally unreadable unless you crouched down to read them.
The display about the Oxford Covid vaccine is trivial and not really about the vaccine. There is no science in it.
There were quite a few staff standing around talking to each other, making no attempt to explain what it was about. The only interaction I saw was a member of staff telling a group of young people rather brusquely that they couldn't bring in their cups of coffee.
How could it be improved? Although their range of instruments is very limited, they could do a lot more with what they have. Big readable posters putting the exhibits in context would be a help, eg how the telescope developed, how the astrolabe developed., etc. One astrolabe could be set out as a working model, with a member of staff demonstrating it. The instruments that are on display should be described, not just listed, in big readable cards. Lastly, they should make some attempt to obtain a greater range of instruments and get some outside help to organise the museum in a more modern manner.
Written November 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for posting such comprehensive feedback - we appreciate you taking the time and care to feed back to us in such detail.
We take your point about needing to present a clearer timeline and show how the instruments worked in practice. We are currently working on Vision 2024 to redesign the galleries and reinterpret the collections for visitors. We will feed all your suggestions into that project.
Written May 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John S
Sandwich, UK75 contributions
Jul 2021
A rather unimaginative 'random stuff in glass cases' type of museum. Was hoping for so much more. Glass cases absolutely stuffed with instruments and exhibits without much in the way of explanation, Dozens of little cards to read, but disappointing uninformative.
There is no 'history of science' element to the museum.
We arrived on time, but the staff not so much. We were made to feel like it was our fault we had to wait in the rain for them to get their act together.
There is no 'history of science' element to the museum.
We arrived on time, but the staff not so much. We were made to feel like it was our fault we had to wait in the rain for them to get their act together.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pedro
Lichfield, UK10 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Booked online and visited the museum with a 4 and an 11 years old kids. They both loved it. The museum itself is not big, but it contains some special pearls that worth a visit. I would like to see it with a bit more time, but the 4 years old didn’t help! The staff is fabulous, and make us really feel welcome. Starting from the people in the door, staff inside the museum, to the office and the shop. I wish I could feel like this everywhere I go. Hope the staff reads this. Thank you!
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BurntWombat
Nottingham, UK21 contributions
Jun 2021
Friendly staff ensured a warm welcome to the home of ancient and modern scientific instruments fabricated from brass and ivory and housed on three floors. A large collection of astrolobes from the Islamic and medieval world (a nod to the Greeks might have been welcome), surveying equipment used by Brunel and some hieroglyphics from Einstein. Worth an hour of your time.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richk77
Dursley, UK48 contributions
Jan 2020
Loved this place. It's a small museum compared to the others nearby but is full of fascinating history and objects. I especially liked the eighteenth-century globe with huge blank expanses in America and Australia, showing just how much of the world was still a mystery when it was made.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keith h
Chesham, UK1,028 contributions
Jun 2022
I am one of the least science educated people you could wish to meet but even I had my interest piqued at the Museum.
The Museum is right in the centre of Oxford , very near to Carfax.
Worth an hour or so , maybe more if this is your thing.
Exhibits on 3 floors comprising of mainly Scientific Instruments ranging from telescopes , astrolabes , sextants , orreries , measuring & surveying equipment & medical equipment. Also some stuff concerning sound & light.
I was particularly entranced by the astrolabes , one of which dated backed to 1221 ad. The Islamic ones were beautifully decorated.
What struck me most was the thought that the translation of complex computations of sidereal , planetary & equinoctial positions could be accurately embodied on small instruments.
For anyone who thinks the modern brain is superior to those of the past , think again.
It just ran on different tracks , maybe carrying some assumptions that have since been seen as incorrect.
The Museum is right in the centre of Oxford , very near to Carfax.
Worth an hour or so , maybe more if this is your thing.
Exhibits on 3 floors comprising of mainly Scientific Instruments ranging from telescopes , astrolabes , sextants , orreries , measuring & surveying equipment & medical equipment. Also some stuff concerning sound & light.
I was particularly entranced by the astrolabes , one of which dated backed to 1221 ad. The Islamic ones were beautifully decorated.
What struck me most was the thought that the translation of complex computations of sidereal , planetary & equinoctial positions could be accurately embodied on small instruments.
For anyone who thinks the modern brain is superior to those of the past , think again.
It just ran on different tracks , maybe carrying some assumptions that have since been seen as incorrect.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bwanaalan
Salisbury, UK254 contributions
Jan 2020
We called in to ‘see what it’s like’. Some of the exhibits are enthralling, so you may well want to linger. Two hours (maybe more) would have been better that the one we allowed. Note, however, the lack of toilets.
This fascinating and eclectic collection demonstrates the origins of many science-based inventions that we take for granted today. Just occasionally I felt that I’d have liked a bit more explanation.
Even if your time is limited you’ll enjoy seeing the highlights – you will be loaned a little plan and it’s well worth using it. And the museum doesn't have to be free: we were happy to donate!
This fascinating and eclectic collection demonstrates the origins of many science-based inventions that we take for granted today. Just occasionally I felt that I’d have liked a bit more explanation.
Even if your time is limited you’ll enjoy seeing the highlights – you will be loaned a little plan and it’s well worth using it. And the museum doesn't have to be free: we were happy to donate!
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fellwalker2000
Durham, UK103 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Wow. Display cases implied a boring museum; but the beauty, the skill and the technology!
This is one for you if you have an interest in science or technology. Not for young kids, no interactivity. You'll get more from it if you can imagine what the world was like when these items were made, and how they changed it.
Expected to spend half an hour tops. About an hour and a half later we finally left, stunned at the skill of manufacturers way back as far as the 17th century. Beautiful devices - astrolabes, sundials (the ancient smart watch with settings to tell the time in different cities around the world). Slide rules. Napier's bones. Medical instruments. Telescopes and microscopes. Ada Lovelace's programme for the original computer. And much much more. All of it beautifully made, with patterns and embellishments yet still fundamentally practical devices that made such difference to our understanding of the world.
This is one for you if you have an interest in science or technology. Not for young kids, no interactivity. You'll get more from it if you can imagine what the world was like when these items were made, and how they changed it.
Expected to spend half an hour tops. About an hour and a half later we finally left, stunned at the skill of manufacturers way back as far as the 17th century. Beautiful devices - astrolabes, sundials (the ancient smart watch with settings to tell the time in different cities around the world). Slide rules. Napier's bones. Medical instruments. Telescopes and microscopes. Ada Lovelace's programme for the original computer. And much much more. All of it beautifully made, with patterns and embellishments yet still fundamentally practical devices that made such difference to our understanding of the world.
Written September 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mireille
Belem, PA1 contribution
How much time should I plan for a visit to the History of Science Museum?
Hi there, I think it is dependent on what interests you but I would say an hour to an hour and half should be plenty.
We are also opposite the Bodleian Library, so if you finish your visit early, you can always pop across and have a look at their exhibitions.
Lady Shawn Cozens
Swindon, UK59 contributions
Hello, can you tell me because it's not clear about the lifts etc, can a disabled person gain acces to the level that has the sun dails on it, with the shop also I believe, thank you
Robyn H
Oxford, UK
Hi Shawn,
We have level access by lift to the Basement Gallery only. This does not include the shop, or the Entrance Gallery and Top Gallery which contains our sundial collection. We are working hard to fix this and hope that in the coming years we will be able to provide lift access to all floors.
We have digital 360s views of the Museum available on our website so that you can see the Galleries from your home and we also stock a number of our products online. I'm afraid I cannot post weblinks in this reply but you can access these areas from our website.
Please call us on 01865 277293 is you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Robyn
Public Engagement Officer
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingHistory of Science Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about History of Science Museum
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience History of Science Museum:
- Oxford, Stratford and the Cotswolds Guided Small Group Tour from London (From $152.22)
- Spencer's Tour of Oxford - 2 hours (25% fee to charities) (From $177.81)
- 90 Minute Classic Walking Tour of Oxford (From $28.78)
- Oxford Private Day Trip from London – Colleges, History & British Lunch included (From $343.83)
- Prospective Oxford Students Entry Advice- Private Group tour (From $255.83)
- Hotels near History of Science Museum:
- (0.09 mi) The Buttery Hotel
- (0.07 mi) Tower House
- (0.16 mi) Old Bank Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Bath Place Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Turl Street Mitre
- Restaurants near History of Science Museum:
- (0.01 mi) The White Horse
- (0.13 mi) Sartorelli’s Pizza
- (0.11 mi) Vaults & Garden Cafe
- (0.12 mi) No.1 Ship Street
- (0.11 mi) The Turf Tavern
History of Science Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 269 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 240 |
History of Science Museum Photos | 307 |