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.

Regular Opening is First Sunday of Every Month

Sunday 1st September between 11 am and 5 pm (last entry 4 pm).

There will be guided tours every half hour.

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.

Machine running event on Saturday 14th September 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 14th September Book here

Further events will take place on 2nd Saturday of the month until December 2019. Booking links here

London Open House on Saturday 21st September 11am to 3.30pm

Free entry but no guided tours.

Machine running event on Thursday evening 26th September from 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

Depending of the sucess of this we may do more evening running events.

Other openings

Prices are the same as for the Sunday openings. The Kirkaldy machine will NOT operate.

Guided tours only at 11am, noon, 2 and 3pm on:

Tuesday September 24th

Tuesday October 22nd

Tuesday November 26th

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A guided tour at 5pm only on:

Thursday September 26th

Thursday October 24th

Thursday November 28th

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.

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