the centre for computing history

I could have spent hours playing Spyro the Dragon reliving my Uni days but felt I ought to move on to give someone else a go! Children of 9 and 11 were amazed at technology not that long ago! You realise how quickly technology has progressed. The staff are great, helpful and friendly. A must see if you are in the area.

A wide ranging interesting museum with plenty of exhibits to look at and play the games featured on the computers. People of a certain age and up will enjoy revisiting their childhood and you do get a sense of just how quickly computers developed only 10-15 years previously to writing this review from a tablet!!The museum could be wider advertised and perhaps some of the games set up on the consoles could have a short desk aid to show how to play eg which button to accelerate etc.

This was on my list of museums to see in Cambridge and I came away a bit disappointed - I may have had a different view had I had a young family with me.The Museum is situated in a decent building in a non-too-obvious location on a unpreposssing industrial/trading estate, although they try hard to advertise its presence wth banner signs at the roadside. Car parking at the museum itself seems very limited, although some on street parking is available within reasonable walking distance.There are also a couple of retail parks nearby although they seem to have quite severe parking restrictions. However, the Museum is not a long walk from the city centre for those visiting other attractions.Inside there is a large collection of computing hardware, including lots of early PCs. Nearly everything works and many of the older PCs (and a number of arcade machines) are set up to run old-school games, or offer the chance to programme in BASIC - the children present during my visit seemed to be really enjoying it. However, unless you are deep into the fact that computer X uses processor Y, which is explained on the numerous information panels, you may come away somewhat underwhelmed. I was hoping for something that might have explained and demonstrated the development of computing technology in laymens terms, but that was not present. That's not to say there are not some interesting aspects, but I'd hoped to learn more. As an entertaining venue for children or those wanting to relive their youth on older games however it probably scores very highly.

You know the feeling when your girlfriend walks in the room, and you can swear the ceiling opens up, and there's a light coming from heaven and you hear angels sing: "Alleluia". Well, now this feeling is available for everyone who's willing to come to Cambridge!At least if you can find this museum. Because granted, it is quite hard to find, hidden in a industry park. But if there's a man running towards you, yelling: "Are you looking for the museum? It's right there!"... And they say they're working on putting up signs.But I can assure you that once you find it, you are in for the experience of a lifetime! The Centre houses the most friendly crew ever, who are willing to help you out anytime, as well as all kinds of old technology that you can actually touch and use. So no looking at dusty appliences thru a window, but you actually get the feeling of putting a disk in an original Apple II, or getting your very own BASIC program too run on an original 1970's pc.And if you're not that kind of geek, spend hours trying to break the highscore on an authentic arcade box running Nintendo's Donkey Kong, Sega's Sonic and many more! Discover what the great-great-great-grandparents of your Nintendo 3DS looked like and play Super Mario Bros. on a NES, or the Legend of Zelda on a working Gamecube, or beat your friends/ parents/ siblings/ S.O./ random bystanders at Pong (yes! The original)Or travel even further back in time and learn everthing about Card Gauges and Transistor computers.And that's not even all, this museum also offers a look into the future: Program your own Rasberry Pi or have a look thru an Occulus Rift!Maybe one thing I would change: Not everthing was displayed chronologicly. But who am I to critisize that?If I'm ever in the area again, I'm definitely coming back for my next Nerd-gasm!

We came with our 11 year old boy. Enjoyed playing the old Mario and sonic games. His dad became hooked on space invaders and PAC man. Good place for young and the young at heart.

Hi,Thanks for the review. We really appreciate you taking the time. I'm not sure about the 'moving to a new building soon' bit though. We are certainly aiming and growing towards a new building at some point, but realistically this will take a few years :( We do have really good directions on the visiting page of the website though and sat nav will bring you right to the building. I agree though, we are tucked away and in an unusual place for a museum. As you suspect, it's all down to cost.I totally agree - we could do better, much, much better! We are working really hard and are self sustaining, but we really do need the support of those organisations whose history we are preserving. As more people visit, more of the display is developed ...Come back in 12 months time and hopefully you'll see just how much we've advanced.Kind RegardsJason

Had a great day here. The guys who work there were laid back, friendly and knew so much. It was like a going in a time machine walking into the '1980's classroom, with the BBC computers all set up like they were at school. Then through to the large room decked out with every games console you can imagine, from the very first to much more recent - and you can play on them all, they will even go and find whatever game you want! Definitely worth a visit for a fun informative and unique experience.

My husband and I visited on a dreary & cold Saturday afternoon to while away some time whilst visiting the area. For £14 for a couple of hours of entertainment and a lot of "hey, do you remember that?!", we thought it was fab value.It was fun to see all the tech that's existed in our lifetime and to play some games from our younger years. The Oculus Rift was an unexpected bonus - Great fun on the roller coaster ride "game". Although a few small things are in cabinets, most items are available to touch and play with, and where things work they are switched on. It's really not hard to find. It's just on a little industrial estate right by a railway line. Who doesn't have Google Maps nowadays anyway?! We would highly recommend it.

What a great place to visit. A huge range of computers, video game machines, calculation machines and mobile phones. Lots of opportunities to play, both games and programming. My boys (13 and 15) really enjoyed it, though failed to appreciate the joys of "Pong". They did like the Oculus Rift, though! Would thoroughly recommend a visit, lovely to be able to take your time and wallow in nostagia as well as wonder just how much things have changed.

I'm gonna spend just few words: must go and see it if your are in Cambridge....everything there is amazing the centre, the staff, the collection!!!!Awesome!!!!

Most museums are about ancient history. This one is about history that some of us lived through. I went on my own. I started by trying to count how many of the machines I had used at some time - but gave up when I lost count. I could imagine going around with younger people and trying to convince them that, yes, this was the way we used to live: We thought Pong was pretty exciting; We shared 33K of memory between 6 users... No, really.

Run by genuine enthusiasts with passion and a sense of humour. This is a more than a museum, it is a living breathing archival project, preserving our technological heritage. Any old computer you can think of since the mid 1970s (apart from an Apple 1), plus loads more you can't, they've got one somewhere. Moreso, it's probably already switched on and plugged into a screen so you can play to your heart's content. And if you've got kids, it's worth going to bemuse the hell out of them. 3D Monster Maze on the ZX81, anyone?

What a fantastic place, great mixture between computer hardware and video games (my personal preference). Very enthusiastic staff who organise distinctive events. I particularly like the retro video game nights (with food supplied by that great burger van!)

Visited first thing on a Sunday morning in early December. Son wanted to go whilst we were in Cambridge (for PiWars.org) and I was not so interested. However, the sheer range of items on display and the fact that they are all in (my) recent history made the visit really enjoyable and two hours flew by.I tried the 3d headset thing and felt very travel sick, although so. Spent ages on it and had a great time. Loads of games to try and I surprised myself by remembering how to write a short routine in Basic.If you've got the vaguest interest in computers, IT or gaming then take a few hours to visit. It's well worth it.

Visited last autumn, i spend 4 hours there, i was very excited. If you dont like computers its ok, there is a lot of game consoles like ATARI 2600 up to SONY ps1. Highly recommended try them all, that what i did.Very friendly staff, they know many facts about computer history. Definitely come back next summer with my family and i recommend to all my friends and colleagues. Make sure your camera is fully charged because you will shoot around 100 pictures. I travel from Dublin and its worth it. Best place on earth, love computers and computer history museum.