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We do not have a phone number. Please use email.
Letters addressed to the museum might not be opened for up to 2 weeks.
The front of The MuseumThe rear of The MuseumView Larger Map
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.
Opening
Admission Prices for general opening only.
Adult: £8 Concessions: £6 Under 12s: Free
New from March 2019 Annual Pass (Adult): £15
CASH ONLY please. We hope to be able to take cards soon.
The Kirkaldy machine will NOT operate.
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.
See the openings page for a full list until the end of 2019 in date order.
London Open House on Saturday 21st September 11am to 3.30pm
Free entry but no guided tours.
Weekday Openings
Guided tours only at 11am, noon, 2 and 3pm.
The length of the tour is about 90 minutes depending on the number of questions asked.
Tuesday 24th September
Similar openings will also occur on:
Tuesday 22nd October
Tuesday 26th November
Early Evening Openings
A guided tour only at 5pm.
The length of the tour will be a maximum of 90 minutes.
Thursday 26th September
Similar openings will also occur on:
Thursday 24th October
Thursday 28th November
Machine running event on Thursday evening 26th September at 6:30pm
This will include a full guided tour starting at 6:30pm with the machine run at around 7pm. Specially aimed at those not in London at weekends.
This tour must be booked in advance using Eventbrite. Special prices apply.
Thursday 26th September Book here
Regular Opening on First Sunday of Every Month
Open between 11 am and 5 pm (last entry 4 pm) with guided tours every half hour.
Sunday 6th October
Similar openings will also occur on:
Sunday 3rd November
Saturday 1st December
Machine running events on Saturdays at 2pm
This will include a full guided tour starting at 2pm with the machine run at around 3pm.
These tours must be booked in advance using Eventbrite. Special prices apply.
Saturday 12th October Book here
Similar events will also occur on:
Saturday 9th November Book here
Saturday 14th December Book here
Group Visits - Click here to find out more
How to Contact Us
The general contact email for visitors is info@testingmuseum.org.uk.
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.
Book 'Facts Not Opinions' published in 2019
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.