Derby Computer Museum

Description

Mission

Derby Computer Museum is a Tardis of retro gaming fun and computing history.

With around 60 hands on exhibits from the 1970s, 80s and 90s that you can touch, play and use, there’s fun for the whole family, whilst something educational too.

What there is to see and do

We have 6 themed rooms:-

70s and early 80s room

You’ll find hands on and working exhibits such as BBC Computers, Acorns, Amstrad, Sinclair Spectrum, Texas Instruments Ti99, Commodore 64 and much more. With lots of games to play that you can load yourself from the original cassettes and cartridges.

Japanese room

Retro gaming console goodness with the Sega, Nintendo and Sony consoles you know and love from the 80’s and 90s.

British gaming history room

The UK has a really rich history of gaming heritage, including of course Derby being known for creating games such as Tomb Raider and Rick Dangerous. In this room you’ll find around a dozen hands-on games consoles and computers where you can play British classic games.

PC history room

See how personal computing has evolved over the years and take early versions of Microsoft Windows for a test drive, and play the PC games we enjoyed in the 80s and 90s. You’ll find all sorts here including Lemmings, PacMan, Pong, Duke Nukem, Doom, Quake, Theme Hospital, Theme Park and more!

Music history

See the technology setup artists such as local musician White Town used to make the track “Your Woman” and world renowned musician Fat Boy Slim created tracks such as “Right here, right now” with our Atari ST, KORG keyboard and AKAI sampler setup.

Apple room

Go back in time to see what preceded the iPhone! With the original iMac, early Apple Macs and more to see, touch and use.

Rare consoles and lounge area

Last but not least, see some rarer consoles such as the Panasonic 3DO and Atari Jaguar, or sit down in our comfy sofa/lounge area and play multiplayer games on the N64 with your friends and family.

Hands on fun!

Derby Computer Museum want to make sure that their exhibits are accessible, usable and fun so that they can be fully appreciated. So as a result you'll find the vast majority of their exhibits are all in working and usable condition, and you can see, touch and use them just as you could do 30 or 40 years ago.

Education, school trips, and the preservation of computing history

Part of their mission is to educate on computing history by showcasing it, preserving it, and exhibiting displays explaining history and having interactive exhibits.

Derby Computer Museum offer school trips too so if you’re a teacher wanting to organize a school trip, please get in contact with them via their website.

Birthday parties and corporate events

The museum offers birthday parties (for kids and adults!) as well as private hire for corporate bookings.

To give back to the community

Any town or city is what you make of it. Whilst they welcome visitors from absolutely anywhere, they are passionate about Derby so Derby Computer Museum is their way of bringing a smile to people in Derby.

Opening Times:

Saturdays, 10am to 4pm

Last entry 3pm

For BYOB and special events, please see our website.