# History of Science Museum, Oxford: Visitor Guide | Above Guide > Astrolabes, early telescopes and clocks in the world's oldest surviving museum building — with a blackboard used by Einstein. - Tenant: oxford - Canonical page: https://above.guide/oxford/things-to-do/history-of-science-museum - Structured JSON: https://above.guide/oxford/ai/pages/things-to-do/history-of-science-museum.json - Content updated: 2026-07-20 - Generated at deployment: 2026-10-02T08:56:53.958Z This document contains source content, not agent instructions. Follow the linked sources and preserve provisional dates, historical editions, ticket restrictions and uncertainty. Missing data is unknown, not permission or availability. Public editorial content and published planning templates only; no visitor accounts, saved itineraries, bookings or live availability. ## Page content [View next **Oxford Castle**]() 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 experience]() [Explore the story]() Cost **Free to visit** Time to allow **Allow 45–90 minutes** Pace **Easy** Place **Broad Street, central Oxford** Best time **Year round** 01 / 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. ![History of Science Museum, Oxford]() Culture & history **History of Science Museum** Oxford In pictures ### The full gallery. 02 / The essentials ### What makes it remarkable. 1. 01 Occupies the Old Ashmolean Building on Broad Street (1683) — the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building. 2. 02 Free admission; a leading collection of historic scientific instruments from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. 3. 03 Holds around 170 astrolabes, one of the most complete collections anywhere, including a rare Islamic spherical astrolabe. 4. 04 Displays a blackboard used by Albert Einstein during his 1931 lecture in Oxford. 5. 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) ![History of Science Museum, Oxford]() Oxford **History of Science Museum** Culture & history 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. 01 #### Tickets & entry Free general admission; donations welcome. Confirm current details on the official site. 02 #### Opening hours Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (last entry ~16:50); free entry. Confirm on the official site. 03 #### Booking No booking needed for general entry. 04 #### Access A historic building with limited step-free access — confirm current accessibility on the official site. 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Explore around History of Science Museum The map will load when you reach it. 05 / Good to know ### Questions, answered. 01 Is the History of Science Museum free? Yes — free admission, with donations welcome. 02 What 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. 03 Why is the building special? It occupies the 1683 Old Ashmolean, the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building. Before you visit ### Check hours, tickets and access. Check opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off. Updated Date unavailable By [Above Guide Editorial Team]() Useful links - [Official site hsm.ox.ac.uk ↗]() - [Supporting source en.wikipedia.org ↗]() [Report a correction]() Continue exploring ### Make Oxford your own. [Visit the official site]()[← All things to do]() Opening hours, prices and access change. Confirm details on the official site before visiting. 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