Why is the Kirkaldy Testing Museum important?

David Kirkaldy's Testing and Experimenting Works at 99 Southwark Street set international standards in testing materials from which everyone’s everyday life benefits today.

Today, this unique Victorian workshop keeps alive our direct link with Kirkaldy's innovation, at the heart of this bustling commercial district of London. The Kirkaldy Testing Museum preserves Kirkaldy's unique Universal Testing Machine - the huge hydraulic powered machine he designed and had built in Leeds - in full working order in the premises he built to house it.

As well as presenting the story of the family who ran the business for almost 100 years and of the wider development of materials testing, the workshop and the Universal Testing Machine provide a unique crucible for new experimentation and collaboration - which can inspire future generations of scientists and artists alike to continue enquiring into the properties of the materials on which we build our lives.

Open for visitors - First Sunday of Every Month

Sunday 2nd June between 11 am and 5 pm (last entry 4 pm).

There will be guided tours every half hour.

The Kirkaldy machine will NOT operate. See below for new arrangements.

If you are bringing a group of 10 or more on a normal opening day please send us an email with the time. We can then give you priority and avoid congestion.

For more information about how to get to the museum and entrance details,
please go to the visiting page.

Other openings in 2019 will be announced here because the dates and times depend on volunteer availability.

***NEW*** Machine running on the second Saturday at 2pm

The machine runs have become increasingly popular but due to the number of visitors these can no longer be done on the Sunday openings.

Instead a dedicated machine run will be held once every month on the second Saturday. This will include a full guided tour starting at 2pm, with the run at 3pm and must be booked in advance. Special prices apply.

Prebook here via Eventbrite.

Saturday 8th June Bookings open 11th May.

Group Visits - Click here to find out more

How to Contact Us

The general contact email for visitors is info@testingmuseum.org.uk.

Latest News January 2019

Planning for the future

KTM is grateful to have received funding from the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) with an AIM Sustainability Grant supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. This was used to develop a forward plan for the next five years produced by the directors with the help of an external consultant.

New book 'Facts Not Opinions' just published.

Now on sale at the museum for £12.50

The production of this was generously supported by a grant from the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers. See the announcement on their website.

Visit the Kirkaldy's YouTube channel.

Become a Kirkaldy volunteer! - Click here to find out more

The museum is run entirely by volunteers. We now have a new lease but to afford the rent we have to open more often so we will need more helpers.

If you want to get involved, please email us at volunteer@testingmuseum.org.uk.

Supporters and endorsements

The museum receives no funding other than from visitors. Help preserve this amazing piece of our Victorian past for future generations.

If you are looking to partner with us and would like to find out more about getting involved in adding your support, please contact: partnerships@testingmuseum.org.uk

All donations are gratefully received.

Media coverage

Videos about the museum

Drawings of the museum

News Archive

Grade 2* Listing Details Here

In June 2014 English Heritage (now Historic England) upgraded our listing from grade 2 to grade 2*.

The directors would like to thank Professor David Perrett and the Greater London Industrial Archaeological Society (GLIAS), of which he is Chairman, for applying on behalf of the museum and seeing the up-grading through to its successful conclusion.

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