Kirkaldy’s Testing Works - London

Kirkaldy’s Testing Works, located at Address: 99 Southwark St, London SE1 0JF, United Kingdom, is a unique technology museum that offers a glimpse into the past. This historic site was once an engineering test facility, and it now serves as an education center, event venue, and heritage preservation site.

Specialties

The museum's specialties include technology, education, events, heritage preservation, and science. Visitors can see the old machines that were used to test materials, and they can learn about the history of engineering and the importance of fact-based decision-making. The museum's motto, "Facts not opinions," feels strangely timeless and is a testament to the enduring importance of scientific inquiry.

Accessibility and Amenities

Kirkaldy’s Testing Works is wheelchair accessible and has a parking lot for visitors. There is also a restaurant on-site, making it a great destination for a day out. Visitors are encouraged to get tickets in advance to ensure entry.

Opinions

According to Google My Business, Kirkaldy’s Testing Works has received 62 reviews with an average rating of 4.7/5. Many visitors have praised the museum's charming Victorian atmosphere, knowledgeable volunteers, and the opportunity to see old machines in action. One visitor commented, "Charming Victorian and after engineering test facility with lovely volunteers, and old machines that break stuff. What's not to like Book in advance. The old Testing Works motto 'Facts not opinions' feels strangely timeless."

Recommendation

If you're looking for a unique and educational experience, Kirkaldy’s Testing Works is the perfect destination. With its rich history, fascinating exhibits, and commitment to scientific inquiry, this museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in technology, engineering, or science. To learn more, visit the museum's website at testingworks.org.uk.

👍 Reviews of Kirkaldy’s Testing Works

Martin Jolly

5/5

Charming Victorian and after engineering test facility with lovely volunteers, and old machines that break stuff. What's not to like? Book in advance. The old Testing Works motto "Facts not opinions" feels strangely timeless.

Leaburn

4/5

Book tickets online in advance to find dates it is open to the public. Pretty cool place. About something I’d never really thought about. This stress and strength testing equipment helped the UK dominate the Industrial Revolution and is easily overlooked but was utterly essential. Kirkaldy was one of those odd 19th century genius minded eccentrics and the volunteers explain his accomplishments expertly. A really good tour.

Richard Sharp

5/5

A fantastic glimpse into the works, of the founding farther, of independent materials testing. The big machine is amazing to see in operation. Its well worth a visit if you ever get a chance.

Catherine Chan

5/5

Hat off to all volunteers who are wonderful, passive, highly knowledgeable and friendly - they delivered the presentation in a way which is accessible to all. There are lots of testing machines in Victorian and Edwardian era, some of them are 100+ year old, this reminded me of the days at university studying the construction techniques and materials testing - the principles are very similar but just supplied by hydraulic not electricity.

Louise Sutton

4/5

Fascinating glimpse of mechanical engineering testing from the past! The museum may only be open once a month, but its space is full of machines that can make physics live for those interested in engineering, and give a fascinating insight into niche Victorian and Edwardian industry for those leaning towards history. Each tour is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers, who are incredibly enthusiastic. If you can, stay for the machine test run - it's a weird and wonderful stretching of metal to breaking point and has incredible tension (excuse the pun). Well worth a couple of hours on a Sunday!

Tina W

5/5

Fabulous place explaining why material testing is important and how it is done. Really interesting even for non engineers. Amazing insight into Victorian London too. We took 12 year old boys and they loved it too, especially the hands on parts.

Jane Ball

5/5

This museum is an absolute treat. Learned enthusiasts explain large and small historic machines that still work! This was the dawn of standardised engineering.

Susan Turnbull

5/5

What a fascinating place full of interesting and powerful machines! I work around the corner and happened to see the name of the building when I was passing by... googled it and popped along. We had no real idea what to expect but we were greeted by some of the friendliest, most passionate volunteers of any museum. We learned a lot about David Kirkaldy and what an underrated genius he was, how materials testing works and has developed over the past 150 years and we saw the huge machine break a piece of solid iron in two, stretching it by inches. The tour lasted approx 2.5 hours and there wasn't a single minute where we weren't entertained or listening intently. Great for teenagers studying physics or anyone with any interest in science and how the world works. Thank you very much to everyone who made our visit such an interesting one.