The Polar Museum







Exploration into science: Discover the story of planet Earth's coldest, driest, windiest, highest and deadliest places …
If you have ever wondered what it is like to travel to the Polar Regions or why they are so important to the future of our world, take a trip to The Polar Museum. From penguins to paintings, sleeping bags to sextants, Inuit art to explorers' diaries – come and find out about exploration, science and survival at the extreme ends of the earth. Discover the North and South Poles just 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages, including school and other groups.
Venue Type:
Museum, Archive
Additional info
Our library and archives are open to the public by appointment.
We have been shortlisted for a European Museum of the Year Award 2012.
The Museum holds an unrivalled collection of artifacts, paintings, drawings, photographs (including cinematographic film, lantern slides, and Daguerreotypes), and other material relating to polar exploration, history and science.
The museum displays feature items from Scott's last expedition, including farewell letters to friends and family, diaries, the sleeping bag of Captain Oates, and the black flag left by Amundsen. The museum also houses displays on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, scientific instruments and equipment from the 'heroic age' of exploration, the sledges and skis used by Scott, Shackleton and other explorers, geological specimens, modern exploration equipment and clothing, polar artworks and an example of an Emperor penguin.
Items not on display may be viewed by prior arrangement.
Collection details
Archives, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Film and Media, Land Transport, Maritime, Natural Sciences, Personalities, Photography, Science and Technology, Social History
Key artists and exhibits
- Captain Robert Falcon Scott
- Captain Lawrence Oates
- Roald Amundsen
- Sir Ernest Shackleton
- British Graham Land Expedition
- Northwest Passage
- Sir John Franklin
- Sledges and skis
- Modern exploration equipment and clothing
- Emperor penguin
- Arctic
- Antarctic
- North Pole
- South Pole
- Inuit
- Scrimshaw
The Polar Museum
Scott Polar Research Institute
Lensfield Road
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB2 1ER
England

Website
Our website
General information
Keeper
Museum Shop
Telephone
General enquiries
01223 336540
Education & Outreach Officer
01223 336562
Shop
01223 336548
Fax
01223 336549
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