Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cambridge

The Cambridge Museum of Technology, located in Cambridge, offers a rich journey through the industrial past of the region. Housed in the original building of the Cheddars Lane Pumping Station, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the museum provides an immersive experience that highlights the interplay between technology, industry, and society since 1894.

The museum's location, a former combined sewage pumping and waste destructor station, uniquely illustrates the 19th-century solutions to urban waste management. The original machinery of the Victorian Pumping Station remains a key exhibit, demonstrating the impressive engineering of the era. This facility not only pumped sewage to the nearby Milton sewage farm but also processed household rubbish to generate steam power. This steam was crucial for operating the engines that facilitated the sewage transfer, showcasing a cycle of utility where even the resulting ash found use in road construction.

Beyond its historical architecture and machinery, the museum broadens its narrative to include the often-overlooked industrial aspects of Cambridge. While the city is renowned for its academic institutions, the museum sheds light on its industrial achievements through exhibits on local companies like Pye Electronics and the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company. These exhibitions explore contributions to fields ranging from printing technology-highlighted by a collection featuring a Linotype machine-to advancements in electrical engineering.

Interactive elements such as working steam winches, narrow gauge railways, and side-tipping skip wagons enrich the visitor experience, making the museum particularly appealing to families. These hands-on displays, alongside traditional museum exhibitions, audio-visual presentations, and children’s activities, create a dynamic environment conducive to learning and enjoyment. The site's ample green spaces along the River Cam provide an inviting setting for picnics and relaxed family outings.