Today marks a milestone in the world of science and education in Swindon, as the Hawking Building, a state-of-the-art facility at the Science and Innovation Park in Wroughton, opens its doors to the public.
This remarkable building, part of the £65 million One Collection Programme, now houses the Science Museum Group Collection, an extensive array of over 300,000 historic items that tell the story of human ingenuity in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
The facility has been named in honour of the esteemed Professor Stephen Hawking, whose groundbreaking research and advocacy for science education left an indelible mark on society.
Hawking’s long-standing relationship with the Science Museum Group began in his childhood when he frequently visited the museum, drawing inspiration that would fuel his illustrious career. His contributions to the museum included lectures, discussions with Nobel Prize winners, and the display of his personal communication devices. Notably, the extraordinary contents of his Cambridge University office were acquired by the museum through the UK Government’s Acceptance in Lieu scheme in 2021, comprising over 1,000 significant objects that highlight the intersection of his life and work.
Visitors to the Hawking Building will embark on guided tours led by experts, providing a unique opportunity to engage with the collection and discover the stories behind some of the most remarkable objects ever created.
Tour-goers can expect to see everything from a toy duck used to help scientists land a spacecraft on a comet to a 1.3-tonne Sno-cat, the first vehicle to complete a motorised crossing of Antarctica.
There are also items from Hawking’s office, including his mobility and communication equipment, revealing the personal side of a man who inspired millions.
Sir Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group, expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture: “The Hawking Building is a fitting tribute to a man who inspired so many. Stephen Hawking’s life was a testament to the power of curiosity and imagination. This facility will not only preserve our collection but will also inspire future generations of scientists and innovators.”
The Hawking Building is designed with sustainability at its core, representing the Science Museum Group’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices. The building features highly insulated and airtight structures that maintain stable conditions necessary for the long-term preservation of the collection, while minimising energy consumption. Additionally, solar panels support its electricity needs, further reducing its carbon footprint.
Public guided tours, starting today, will take place on select days until mid-November 2024, with additional dates available in March 2025. These tours will allow visitors to walk among extraordinary objects, including a revolutionary Leyland Titan double-decker bus, a Spacelab 2 X-ray telescope carried into orbit by the US Space Shuttle Challenger, and a NASA Flight Simulator chair used for astronaut training.
The Hawking Building also aims to enrich the educational landscape by hosting local schools for interactive science shows and hands-on workshops. During a week of education visits starting on Monday, students will engage in live demonstrations and explore the historic objects housed in the facility.
The public can already access a wealth of information about the Science Museum Group Collection online, thanks to the rapid digitisation efforts undertaken by the museum.
In recent years, the proportion of objects with published photographs has jumped from just 5% to an impressive 50%, making the collection more accessible than ever.
As the Science Museum Group prepares for this new chapter with the opening of the Hawking Building, it underscores its commitment to preserving history while inspiring the future of science education.
Tickets to the guided public tours of the Hawking Building are £27.50.
Concessions and local residents (Postcode must begin SN1, SN2, SN3, SN4 or SN5) tickets are £16.50. Ages 7-12 go free. Strictly ages 7+; recommended age is 12+.
For further information or to book tickets, please visit scienceinnovationpark.org.uk/visit-us/public-guided-tours.
