Museum of Timekeeping

Museum of Timekeeping is a museum of clock and watch history in Upton, near Newark in Nottinghamshire, England. It is housed in Upton Hall, home of the British Horological Institute, the representative body of the UK horological industry. It suits anyone curious about how people have measured time over the centuries, from delicate watches to some of the largest municipal clock mechanisms.

What is the Museum of Timekeeping?

The museum sits within the British Horological Institute, an organisation founded in 1858 by a group of clockmakers. The Institute represents the clockmaking trade in the United Kingdom, and its current premises at Upton Hall in Nottinghamshire also include a museum of clock history. Visitors therefore see the collection in a place long tied to the craft and its traditions.

What can you see here?

The collection covers clocks, watches and other timekeeping instruments. On display are small, precise pocket and wrist mechanisms as well as very large tower and chiming clock movements. Among its best-known items are the watch Captain Scott carried on his 1912 Antarctic expedition and the original Speaking Clock machine, which once gave the time to telephone callers.

How to visit

The museum does not keep fixed hours all year. It generally opens seasonally, on selected days and during special open days, and groups can book private guided tours. These last around two hours and must be arranged in advance. Because published opening times vary between sources, check the current schedule with the museum before travelling.

On site there is free parking, and the visitor area is on one level, which makes access easier. The Clock House Cafe is next door, and groups can arrange lunch in the Ballroom.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the museum? At Upton Hall in Upton, near Newark, Nottinghamshire, England.

Who runs it? It operates from the home of the British Horological Institute, a clockmakers' body founded in 1858.

What are the most famous exhibits? The watch Captain Scott took on his 1912 Antarctic expedition and the original Speaking Clock machine.

Do I need to book? Yes for groups and private tours. Individual visitors should first confirm the museum is open on the day they plan to go.

Is it accessible? The tour area is on a single level and there is free parking at the site.

Who will enjoy it?

The museum appeals to lovers of engineering history, watch collectors, fans of polar exploration and anyone who enjoys seeing precision craftsmanship up close. It combines well with a walk around Newark and a break at the nearby cafe. Allow at least an hour for a self-paced visit, or about two hours for a guided tour, to take in both the smallest watches and the largest mechanisms in the collection.