CambridgeLocal

A Science and Technology Day

Geology and scientific instruments in the centre, lunch at a pub with a place in the story of DNA, then industry and computing on the east side of the city, composed from the place pages.

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The first two stops hold geology and scientific instruments, and the afternoon stops are a Victorian pumping station and a museum of home computers. The two museums on the east side are open on only some days of the week, so check their pages before choosing a day. Each stop's description comes from its own page; check it for opening hours and any charges before you go. The order and the time allowances are our suggestion, not sourced facts.

Estimated time on the stops below: about 300 minutes (about 5 hours), not counting walking between them. Durations are our own estimates, not figures from the place pages.

  1. 1

    Morning

    Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences Museum

    The University's free geology museum, with Darwin's Beagle rocks, an upright Iguanodon and a huge fossil collection.

    Allow about 45 minutes (estimate)

  2. 2
    Whipple Museum of the History of Science Museum

    Scientific instruments, models and apparatus from the medieval period to the present day, on Free School Lane.

    Allow about 45 minutes (estimate)

  3. 3

    Lunch

    The Eagle Pub

    A 17th-century coaching inn where the structure of DNA was announced over lunch.

    Allow about 60 minutes (estimate)

  4. 4

    Afternoon

    Cambridge Museum of Technology Museum

    Steam engines and the industries of Cambridge in a Victorian sewage pumping station on the river.

    Allow about 60 minutes (estimate)

  5. 5
    Centre for Computing History Museum

    A hands-on museum of home computers and video games, from the Altair 8800 to the ZX Spectrum, on the east side of the city.

    Allow about 90 minutes (estimate)