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It holds a leading collection of historic scientific instruments, from medieval astrolabes and sundials to early telescopes, microscopes and clocks, displayed across historic panelled galleries. It has around 170 astrolabes — one of the most complete collections anywhere, including a rare Islamic spherical astrolabe — and among its best-loved exhibits is a blackboard used by Albert Einstein during a 1931 lecture in Oxford. Admission is free.\n\n![History of Science Museum, Oxford]()\n\nCulture & history **History of Science Museum** Oxford\n\nIn pictures\n\n### The full gallery.\n\n02 / The essentials\n\n### What makes it remarkable.\n\n1. 01\n\n Occupies the Old Ashmolean Building on Broad Street (1683) — the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building.\n2. 02\n\n Free admission; a leading collection of historic scientific instruments from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.\n3. 03\n\n Holds around 170 astrolabes, one of the most complete collections anywhere, including a rare Islamic spherical astrolabe.\n4. 04\n\n Displays a blackboard used by Albert Einstein during his 1931 lecture in Oxford.\n5. 05\n\n Early telescopes, microscopes, clocks, sundials and cameras fill the historic panelled galleries.\n\n03 / The place\n\n### The building in context.\n\nA story written in stone since **1683**.\n\nBuilt\n\nhoused in the Old Ashmolean Building, 1683\n\nStyle\n\n17th-century (Old Ashmolean)\n\n![History of Science Museum, Oxford]()\n\nOxford **History of Science Museum** Culture & history\n\n04 / Before you go\n\n### Plan it well.\nEnjoy it properly.\n\nPractical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.\n\n01\n\n#### Tickets & entry\n\nFree general admission; donations welcome. Confirm current details on the official site.\n\n02\n\n#### Opening hours\n\nTue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (last entry ~16:50); free entry. Confirm on the official site.\n\n03\n\n#### Booking\n\nNo booking needed for general entry.\n\n04\n\n#### Access\n\nA historic building with limited step-free access — confirm current accessibility on the official site.\n\nContinue exploring / Oxford\n\n### What will you\n*do next?*\n\nCompare the practical essentials first, then open the experiences that earn a place in your plans.\n\n01 Culture & history\n\n [01 Culture & history **Bate Collection of Musical Instruments** Explore experience]() [02 Culture & history **Bodleian Library guided tour** Explore experience]() [03 Culture & history **Christ Church** Explore experience]() [04 Culture & history **Christ Church Cathedral** Explore experience]() [05 Culture & history **Oxford Castle** Explore experience]() [06 Culture & history **Oxford University Museum of Natural History** Explore experience]() [07 Culture & history **Pitt Rivers Museum** Explore experience]() [08 Culture & history **Sheldonian Theatre** Explore experience]() [09 Culture & history **Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities** Explore experience]() [10 Culture & history **The Ashmolean Museum** Explore experience]() [11 Culture & history **The Radcliffe Camera** Explore experience]() [12 Culture & history **The Weston Library** Explore experience]() [13 Culture & history **University Church of St Mary the Virgin** Explore experience]()\n\n02 Food & drink\n\n [14 Food & drink **Head of the River** Explore experience]() [15 Food & drink **Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons** Explore experience]() [16 Food & drink **Oxford Covered Market** Explore experience]() [17 Food & drink **The Bear Inn** Explore experience]() [18 Food & drink **The Chequers** Explore experience]() [19 Food & drink **The Eagle and Child** Explore experience]() [20 Food & drink **The King’s Arms** Explore experience]() [21 Food & drink **The Lamb & Flag** Explore experience]() [22 Food & drink **The Perch** Explore experience]() [23 Food & drink **The Trout Inn** Explore experience]() [24 Food & drink **The Turf Tavern** Explore experience]() [25 Food & drink **The White Horse** Explore experience]() [26 Food & drink **Westgate Oxford** Explore experience]()\n\n03 Walks & views\n\n [27 Walks & views **The Bridge of Sighs** Explore experience]()\n\n04 Parks & meadows\n\n [28 Parks & meadows **Christ Church Meadow** Explore experience]() [29 Parks & meadows **Oxford Botanic Garden** Explore experience]() [30 Parks & meadows **Port Meadow** Explore experience]() [31 Parks & meadows **University Parks** Explore experience]()\n\n05 On the water\n\n [32 On the water **Punt the Cherwell** Explore experience]() [33 On the water **Salter's Steamers** Explore experience]()\n\n06 Go deeper\n\n[43 Colleges All the colleges **Every Oxford college** Open the college guide]()[Food & drink / a story **The nine oldest pubs** Walk the timeline]()[Plan / Itinerary builder **Build your Oxford day** Start planning]()\n\n05 / Where it is\n\n### Find it\nand what’s nearby.\n\nExplore around History of Science Museum\n\n The map will load when you reach it.\n\n05 / Good to know\n\n### Questions,\nanswered.\n\n01 Is the History of Science Museum free?\n\nYes — free admission, with donations welcome.\n\n02 What is Einstein's blackboard?\n\nA blackboard Einstein used during a 1931 lecture in Oxford, preserved with his handwritten equations — one of the museum's most popular exhibits.\n\n03 Why is the building special?\n\nIt occupies the 1683 Old Ashmolean, the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building.\n\nBefore you visit\n\n### Check hours, tickets and access.\n\nCheck opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off.\n\nUpdated\n\nDate unavailable\n\nBy\n\n[Above Guide Editorial Team]()\n\nUseful links\n\n- [Official site hsm.ox.ac.uk ↗]()\n- [Supporting source en.wikipedia.org ↗]()\n\n[Report a correction]()\n\nContinue exploring\n\n### Make Oxford\nyour own.\n\n[Visit the official site]()[← All things to do]()\n\nOpening hours, prices and access change. Confirm details on the official site before visiting.\n\nFiled under museum / free / indoor / rainy day / science / history" }