1 / 2Rutherford's Den
π Christchurch Central City, Canterbury
Free science museum inside the Christchurch Arts Centre honouring Ernest Rutherford. Exhibits trace atomic physics from first principles. The upper floor holds a fully restored Victorian tiered lecture theatre. Donations encouraged.
π Family Action Verdict
Free, compact, and genuinely interesting - the restored lecture theatre is worth the climb upstairs, and the exhibits give school-age kids a real sense of where modern physics began.
βΉοΈ What to Know Before You Go
π¬ What Families Are Saying
View all reviews β127 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Monica Adams
4 months ago
βAn excellent exhibition of one of the titans of atomic physics. The exhibitions are at a level which are easily accessible to non-scientists but also informative enough to satisfy the scientifically literate.β
κΉλ§μ§μ£Ό
8 months ago
βIt was a small but compact place. I could recall chemistry classes in my school days. And it was free but you can donate some money. I liked the place a lot!β
allan holcroft
a month ago
βIt was very interesting especially with the new additions to the experienceβ
π Commonly mentioned in Google reviews
Based on Google review tagsOld lecture theatre
13 reviews
Interactive displays
11 reviews
Free admission
6 reviews
Friendly staff
4 reviews
Educational
4 reviews
Overview
Rutherford's Den occupies rooms where Ernest Rutherford studied as a young man. Exhibits cover his discoveries in atomic physics with clear, accessible presentation. The upper floor has a fully restored Victorian lecture theatre with tiered wooden seating and original fittings - windows there offer photographs-worthy views of the Arts Centre courtyard. Entry is free with donations welcomed. Staff are described as friendly and knowledgeable.
