1480
Planispheric astrolabe
Jean Fusoris, Paris
A pocket model of the heavens. Turn the star map and it tells the hour and how far north you stand.
The Linden Galleries
Measuring the Heavens
Instruments of navigation, 1450 — 1900
14 March — 2 November 2027
Astrolabe, Paris, c. 1480
Finding your way by the stars
For four centuries, sailors read their position in the sky — with instruments of brass, wood and glass. Here are 120 of them, 34 never shown before.
120objects
450years
11collections
The objects
Five centuries, six objects
1540
Pearwood nocturnal
Unknown maker, Nuremberg
Its toothed dial let a sailor read the time by touch, in total darkness.
1569
Portolan chart of the Atlantic
Diogo Homem, Venice
Pilots laid a ruler along its rhumb lines to hold a bearing to the next landfall.
1731
Hadley’s reflecting octant
George Adams, Fleet Street
Two mirrors bring horizon and star into one view — latitude in seconds, even on a rolling deck.
1759
Marine timekeeper No. 4
After John Harrison, London
Longitude is a question of time. Carry your home port’s hour and the sun tells you the rest.
1880
Liquid binnacle compass
Kelvin & James White, Glasgow
A card floating in alcohol stilled the needle, steering the iron ships that made voyages predictable.
Free audio guide
Hear the objects speak
Four stops, nine minutes — from a curator, a maker and a retired captain.
Stop 01
A universe you can hold
Dr Inês Carvalho, curator
0:00 / 2:14
Stop 02
Telling time by touch
Marcus Oyelaran, instrument maker
0:00 / 1:38
Stop 03
Two mirrors and a horizon
Captain Ruth Aldane, Merchant Navy (ret.)
0:00 / 2:01
Stop 04
Why the clock mattered
Professor Hannah Leigh, historian
0:00 / 3:07
Tickets
Book your visit
Visit
Everyone is welcome
Opening hours
| Daily | 10:00 — 17:30 |
|---|---|
| Thursday late | until 21:00 |
| Last entry | 16:30 |
Linden Square, Aldermere AL1 4MD. Ten minutes’ walk from Aldermere Central.
Accessibility
- Step-free throughoutLifts to every floor; wheelchairs to borrow.
- BSL toursFirst Saturday of each month, 11:00.
- Quiet morningsSundays 10:00 — 11:00, lower lights and fewer visitors.
Membership
Become a Friend
Every exhibition free, as often as you like — and a first look on 13 March.
£65per year · One named Friend
- Unlimited free entry
- Members’ preview, 13 March
- 10% off in the shop and café