Culture & history / Oxford
History of Science Museum
Astrolabes, early telescopes and clocks in the world's oldest surviving museum building — with a blackboard used by Einstein.
Plan this experience01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
An intimate, atmospheric collection of astrolabes, clocks and early instruments in the world's oldest surviving museum building — with Einstein's blackboard as the star draw.
The History of Science Museum occupies the Old Ashmolean Building on Broad Street — built in 1683 and the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building. 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.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
Occupies the Old Ashmolean Building on Broad Street (1683) — the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building.
- 02
Free admission; a leading collection of historic scientific instruments from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
- 03
Holds around 170 astrolabes, one of the most complete collections anywhere, including a rare Islamic spherical astrolabe.
- 04
Displays a blackboard used by Albert Einstein during his 1931 lecture in Oxford.
- 05
Early telescopes, microscopes, clocks, sundials and cameras fill the historic panelled galleries.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 1683.
- Built
- housed in the Old Ashmolean Building, 1683
- Style
- 17th-century (Old Ashmolean)
04 / Before you go
Plan it well.
Enjoy it properly.
Practical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.
Tickets & entry
Free general admission; donations welcome. Confirm current details on the official site.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (last entry ~16:50); free entry. Confirm on the official site.
Booking
No booking needed for general entry.
Access
A historic building with limited step-free access — confirm current accessibility on the official site.
Continue exploring / Oxford
What will you
do next?
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Oxford experienceThe Weston LibraryTimeAllow 30–60 minutesExplore experience →05 / Good to know
Questions,
answered.
01Is the History of Science Museum free?
Yes — free admission, with donations welcome.
02What is Einstein's blackboard?
A blackboard Einstein used during a 1931 lecture in Oxford, preserved with his handwritten equations — one of the museum's most popular exhibits.
03Why is the building special?
It occupies the 1683 Old Ashmolean, the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building.