The collection originated from the bequest of John Woodward, who provided funds for the first Chair of Geology in 1728.
The museum holds a large collection of fossils personally collected by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the HMS Beagle.
The building was designed to commemorate Adam Sedgwick and was opened by King Edward VII in 1904.
The museum contains rare samples of meteorites and lunar material.
The wood and glass display cases are original fixtures from the early 20th century, contributing to the museum's historic aesthetic.
The museum curates a significant collection of Arctic and Antarctic rocks resulting from historical expeditions.
The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences is the oldest of the University of Cambridge museums, dating back to 1728. It houses a vast geological collection containing over two million specimens, including minerals, rocks, and fossils. The museum is named after Adam Sedgwick, one of the founders of modern geology and a mentor to Charles Darwin. A prominent feature is the Iguanodon skeleton in the entrance gallery, which was one of the first ever reconstructed. The collection covers 4.5 billion years of Earth's history, from the formation of the planet to the present day. Visitors can explore displays ranging from local Fenland fossils to exotic mineral samples from across the globe. It serves as both a research facility and a public gallery within the Downing Site of the University of Cambridge.
The dramatic, soaring skeletons of prehistoric creatures in the central gallery.
Check the university website before visiting, as the museum may occasionally close for private research sessions.
Look for the smaller, labeled cabinets that contain particularly rare mineral specimens often overlooked by casual visitors.
Make use of the free digital resources provided by the museum to identify fossils before your arrival.
Do not attempt to touch the specimens, even those not behind glass, as geological samples are often fragile.
Closed on Sundays and select public holidays; occasionally closes for university academic breaks.
Maintain a quiet environment; photography is permitted, but avoid using flash on delicate specimens.
