Discover the remarkable contributions made to the history of science by pioneering Black scientists. Learn about medical breakthroughs, moon missions, advances in agriculture, and the art of teaching taxidermy.
Access Update at the Whipple Museum: Lift Works 2026
Explore the collections of the Whipple Museum to find out more about measuring time, travelling around the world and how ideas have changed and moved through history. Find out about scientists in different times and places and create your own time travelling adventure!
All activities are drop in. Additional information to follow soon.
This event is part of the Cambridge Festival programme 2026.
Access Update at the Whipple Museum: Lift Works 2026
Join us for our third Little Stars session – a relaxed morning at the Whipple Museum. We’ll have picture books, drawing materials, and sensory play resources. We’d also love to hear what you’d like to see in future activities for little ones at the museum.
There’s no need to book, just drop-in. All welcome, especially suitable for families with babies and young children.
Meet in the Learning Gallery.
Access Update at the Whipple Museum: Lift Works 2026
Explore a remarkable range of scientific instruments used to make sense of the world, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Discover objects from astronomy, navigation, surveying, drawing and calculation, including sundials, mathematical instruments, early electrical apparatus—and even a microscope once owned by Charles Darwin.
Plus, enjoy hands-on activities in the newly refurbished Learning Gallery, perfect for little ones — or book a Whipple Highlights guided tour. Afterwards, take home a treat from the Whipple gift shop to remember your visit.
Drop in to investigate fascinating igneous rocks from Greenland, under the microscope and in your hands. These rocks contain rare earth elements, which are important components of electric vehicles, wind turbines and devices such as mobile phones and laptops.
Meet our scientists from the University of Cambridge Department of Earth Sciences who study these rocks, and chat with them about their fieldwork. Join them in looking for clues that the rocks contain rare earth elements. Handle rocks that the scientists collected and place them under UV light to see if they glow.
Drop in to investigate fascinating igneous rocks from Greenland, under the microscope and in your hands. These rocks contain rare earth elements, which are important components of electric vehicles, wind turbines and devices such as mobile phones and laptops.
Meet our scientists from the University of Cambridge Department of Earth Sciences who study these rocks, and chat with them about their fieldwork. Join them in looking for clues that the rocks contain rare earth elements. Handle rocks that the scientists collected and place them under UV light to see if they glow.
See if you can spot the forgeries in our new exhibition, "The Art of Deception", all about making fake scientific instruments. Take the quiz, then head to the learning gallery for a chance to handle replica instruments (not fakes because we're being honest about them!). Explore illustrations used by instrument forger Lloyd Evan Williams and see if you can use them to create your own convincing designs.
This is a drop in event, there will be a short talk about the handling objects at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm but you are welcome to arrive or leave at any time.
Join us for a fantastic whodunit mystery this winter and track down who’s been stealing seeds from pinecones. Simply pick up a free self-led Crazy Cone Caper trail from the Ticket Offices on your way into the Garden and start investigating. On your adventure you will find amazing pinecones from all around the world, discover cool facts and solve puzzles. Have you got the skills to work out which of our six suspects is guilty?
Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied. Standard Garden entry charge applies for adults.
On Saturdays, the Polar Museum runs a range of activities for all ages. get an insider view on the collections at one of our staff favourites tours at 12 to 12.30pm; drop in to one of our object handling sessions, run by our enthusiastic volunteers, between 11am and 12pm; or ask at the front desk any time for a chance to meet the narwhal tusk! Everything is free of charge, there is no need to book.
Explore a remarkable range of scientific instruments used to make sense of the world, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Discover objects from astronomy, navigation, surveying, drawing and calculation, including sundials, mathematical instruments, early electrical apparatus—and even a microscope once owned by Charles Darwin.
Plus, enjoy hands-on activities in the newly refurbished Learning Gallery, perfect for little ones — or book a Whipple Highlights guided tour. Afterwards, take home a treat from the Whipple gift shop to remember your visit.
