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 prebook a Whipple Highlights guided tour. Afterwards, take home a treat from the Whipple gift shop to remember your visit.
What is an orrery? Why is the clock chiming 13? Why would you collect and display a set of plaster horses’ teeth, some green spectacles and several hundred pocket calculators?
Join us for a tour of the Whipple’s collection in 10 objects, featuring spectacular instruments, fascinating scientific stories, and links to some of Cambridge’s most famous names.
Meet at the reception point in the Main Gallery.
Book your free tickets here!
Participants will spend time in the galleries exploring our current exhibition Artists for Kettle’s Yard, particularly focusing on how Rana Begum’s sculptural mesh work blurs the lines between painting, sculpture, and architecture.
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.
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.
Giant deer, fossil fish teeth, the rocks that built Cambridge... just some of the specimens on display that our staff can't wait to discuss with you. Beware, their enthusiasm is infectious!
Drop into our shop to reserve your free place on the tour.
Ages 12+
Giant deer, fossil fish teeth, the rocks that built Cambridge... just some of the specimens on display that our staff can't wait to discuss with you. Beware, their enthusiasm is infectious!
Drop into our shop to reserve your free place on the tour.
Ages 12+
Giant deer, fossil fish teeth, the rocks that built Cambridge... just some of the specimens on display that our staff can't wait to discuss with you. Beware, their enthusiasm is infectious!
Drop into our shop to reserve your free place on the tour.
Ages 12+
Drop in for some fun with us, investigating fascinating igneous rocks from Greenland. The rocks contain rare earth elements, which are important components of electric vehicles, wind turbines and devices such as mobile phones and laptops.
Handle these rocks that have been collected by researchers from the Department of Earth Sciences, and see the rocks glow and sparkle under UV light. Get stuck into some sweet-squashing fun as we use sweets to investigate how different rock types are formed.
Each artwork will be for sale in the galleries. Selected works will also be available through Sotheby’s modern and contemporary sales opening in June 2026.
Encompassing painting, sculpture, photography, and ceramics this special exhibition will include work by celebrated contemporary artists Rana Begum, Antony Gormley, Jennifer Lee, Veronica Ryan, Megan Rooney and Caroline Walker and many others; as well as renowned 20th Century artists such as Ben Nicholson and Lucie Rie.
