Centre for Computing History

From Bedroom Coders to Silicon Fen

Cambridge has shaped modern computing more than almost any other city in the world. In the early 1980s, Clive Sinclair developed the ZX Spectrum just a few miles from the museum's current home, while Acorn Computers — creators of the BBC Micro — operated from offices on Market Hill. The ARM processor, now inside virtually every smartphone on earth, was designed by a small team at Acorn's Cambridge laboratory. The Centre for Computing History sits at the heart of this story, preserving the machines, documents and personal accounts of the people who built the British computing industry from scratch.

The museum was founded in 2008, initially as a travelling exhibition before finding a permanent 10,500-square-foot home at Rene Court in 2013. Its mission is straightforward: to tell the story of the Information Age through objects people can actually use. Unlike most museums, where a rope or glass case separates visitor from artefact, the Centre for Computing History keeps its machines switched on and actively invites visitors to sit down and start typing.

What to See and Do

The Megaprocessor dominates the main hall. Built by James Newman over three years, this 10-metre-long, 2-metre-tall construction uses 42,300 transistors and roughly 10,000 LEDs to replicate the function of a single microchip. Watching data pulse through its circuits in coloured light makes the abstract logic of computing genuinely visible — and yes, you can play Tetris on it.

Beyond the Megaprocessor, the personal computer galleries hold one of the finest collections of British-made microcomputers anywhere. Rows of ZX Spectrums, BBC Micros, Commodore 64s, Amstrads and Acorn Electrons sit powered on and loaded with software. Visitors can type BASIC commands, load programmes from cassette tapes and experience the machines exactly as they were used in homes and schools during the 1980s. The gaming arcade adds another dimension, with playable classic cabinets and vintage consoles spanning five decades of interactive entertainment. The 1970s office recreation places visitors at a period-accurate desk with a genuine coding challenge, offering a window into the working life of early programmers.

Visiting and Nearby

The museum occupies a converted warehouse on Coldhams Road in east Cambridge, about 20 minutes on foot from the railway station or a short ride on the Citi 1 bus. Free parking is available on site, which is unusual for Cambridge. Last entry is at 4.15pm, so arrive by early afternoon to make the most of a visit — there is far more to see and do than first appearances suggest. The on-site cafe serves hot drinks and light refreshments.

Cambridge itself offers plenty to combine with a museum visit. The Fitzwilliam Museum, one of the finest free art collections outside London, is a 15-minute bus ride into the city centre. The university colleges, the Backs and the River Cam are all within easy reach. For families, the museum pairs well with a punt trip or a cycle ride along the guided busway path. Check the museum website before visiting, as special events, coding workshops and themed gaming days run regularly throughout the year.