The National Museum of Computing

02/09/2026

We're absolutely thrilled to announce a major new addition to our collection: a Apple 1 computer replica! We are so grateful to have received this donation from a very generous supporter. Come & see it soon!

01/09/2026

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Nostalgia Nerd to The National Museum of Computing on Bletchley Park!

In their latest video tour, our very own educator Robert Dowell guides them on an incredible journey through digital history:

-World War II Codebreaking: Exploring rebuilt legends like the Bombe, Tunny, and Colossus
- Early Computing Pioneers: Walking through the CPU of EDSAC and seeing the world's oldest working digital computer, The WITCH
- The Mainframe & Micro Era: Getting up close with the massive ICL 2966 and vintage 1980s home computers

📺 Watch the full tour here: https://youtu.be/Qgwq53BXl6Y

What was your very first computer, or the piece of computing history you'd most love to see in person? Tell us in the comments! 👇

🎟️ Plan your visit: https://www.tnmoc.org/plan-your-visit

28/08/2026

Looking for something different to do this Bank Holiday weekend? Bring the family to STEAM Bytes at for some aviation themed activities - book now https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-2026-steam-bytes-tickets-1991273957009

28/08/2026

35 years ago, history was made off-planet!

In August 1991, astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis sent the first-ever email from space to Earth using a modified Apple Macintosh Portable and AppleLink software.

The historic transmission read:

"Hello Earth! Greetings from the STS-43 Crew. This is the first AppleLink from space. Having a GREAT time, wish you were here,... send E-mail, XL5000! Ciao!"

Before laptop computers became standard operational equipment in orbit, NASA engineers had to adapt the Macintosh Portable to survive launch forces, operate on shuttle power, and interface with radio tracking networks.

It was a major milestone that paved the way for modern orbital telecommunications and daily astronaut communications.

What retro tech memory or space milestone stands out most to you? Let us know in the comments! 👇

27/08/2026

Need to find a rainy day activity to keep the kids entertained? Look no further. Today we are hosting a space themed session of Summer STEAM Bytes - so come and join us as we design and build space rockets and plan a space mission, and let our imaginations take us out of the rain and into outer space.
Follow this link to book tickets and find out more: https://ow.ly/bLuG50ZCMlu

25/08/2026

On August 24, 2011, Steve Jobs officially stepped down as CEO of Apple, leaving behind a legacy that fundamentally changed how we live, work, and communicate.

Long before the iPhone revolutionised mobile tech, Apple was quietly experimenting with the future.

Swipe to take a look back:
1️⃣ 1980s Apple Telephone Concept: An early hybrid idea merging a landline phone with data transfer capabilities long before smartphones existed.
2️⃣ Apple Newton MessagePad 120: Apple’s mid-90s handheld PDA featuring handwriting recognition—the early spiritual ancestor to the iPad.
3️⃣ Macintosh SE: The 1987 compact desktop icon that brought user-friendly, graphical computing into homes and offices worldwide.

Great innovation rarely happens overnight; it is built on decades of concepts, experiments, and visionary stepping stones.

💬 Which retro Apple device from the past do you wish had taken off? Let us know in the comments!

22/08/2026

Looking for creative, educational fun to captivate the kids this summer? Bring the kids to The National Museum of Computing to try one of our popular STEAM Bytes sessions.

Taking place every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the school holidays - there's something for everyone.

Cutting-edge tech: Coding, robotics, VR, and AR.

Hands-on history: Interactive museum tours with our expert guides.

Creative inspiration: A wide range of 'off screen' hands on activities designed to fuel the next generation of STEM innovators.

Spaces are filling up fast, but we still have some availability for our next sessions : Sunday 23rd August, Tuesday 25th August and Thursday 27th August

Don't miss out - book your places now!

🎟️ Tickets: https://ow.ly/bLuG50ZCMlu

21/08/2026

Last call for 'Phone Phreaks.' We still have availability for this one off session tomorrow - 22nd August, with expert Phil Lapsley. Come and find out how these early outlaws hacked AT&T's network and changed technology forever. If you love tech history, true cyber crime stories, or network infrastructure, you cannot miss this 1.5-hour live talk!

Where: The National Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park
When: 11:00 AM
https://ow.ly/Xt5g50ZCnqq

Dive into the wild world of early phone hackers and discover the tricks that shaped today’s networks.

20/08/2026

The original hackers didn't use computers... they used telephones. Long before the internet took over, the "Phone Phreaks" found the Achilles heel in AT&T's massive network. This Saturday, August 22nd, expert Phil Lapsley lands at The National Museum of Computing to share how these early outlaws changed technology forever. If you love tech history, true cyber crime stories, or network infrastructure, you cannot miss this 1.5-hour live talk!
Where: The National Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park
When: 11:00 AM
https://ow.ly/sRiV50ZBP9i

Dive into the wild world of early phone hackers and discover the tricks that shaped today’s networks.

19/08/2026

Looking for the ultimate summer holiday activity? 🚀

Bring the whole family to STEAM Bytes at The National Museum of Computing! 💻✨

Dive into hands-on coding, arts, crafts, and interactive tech sessions, plus, every ticket includes FULL museum entry and time to play in the retro arcade zone! 🕹️

When: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays throughout the summer

We still have spaces available on our next session - Thursday 20th August!

If you're looking for some non-screen fun head down to our Binary Code Jewellery and Keyring Workshop. Create your binary code initials and make your own bracelet or keyring to take home.

For anyone looking to fire up their ICT brains ready for Back To School, join us in The Hub for our Micro:bit Programme and Play session. Discover programming and develop your skill using block -based coding.

Don't miss out book your places now!

🎟️ Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-2026-steam-bytes-tickets-1991273957009