Big Object storage

The Wroughton site is a Second World War maintenance airfield in Wiltshire. It has been occupied by the Science Museum since the 1970s, when many of our large civil aircraft were flown into the site - their last resting place. The site also stores our large-scale objects which are not on display and cannot be located at Blythe House.

Six original aircraft hangars house items from the science, engineering, transport and agricultural reserve collections. There is also a research store, built in 1993, which has a stable environment and is ideal for sensitive objects. These are working stores and, as such, are not open to the public except for pre-booked behind-the-scenes tours during the summer months and occasional special events.

The largest object on site is probably the Wood Press, which is a section of the last operational printing press in Fleet Street. Acquired in 2001, it weighs 140 tonnes and is the size of two small houses. The Science Museum Conservation team worked with experienced engineers from Beck & Pollitzer to plan the cleaning, transport and installation of the press.