Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Cambridge is home to over 20 unicorns and a global reputation for innovation. The Centre for Computing History (CCH) is the city’s only dedicated space celebrating the technological breakthroughs that made this possible.

Independent and rooted firmly in the community, CCH plays a vital role in documenting Cambridge’s contribution to global computing, from EDSAC and the UK’s first ISP to genome sequencing and antibody technologies. Our nationally significant collections, including rare prototypes, documentation, and oral histories, preserve not just technological milestones, but the human stories behind them.

But our impact goes far beyond heritage.

We welcome 22,000 visitors a year, including 7,500 young people, offering hands‑on learning that builds digital confidence and helps shape the region’s future tech workforce. Our events reach families, schools, adult learners, community groups, and those who may not otherwise engage with STEM. For many children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, we offer a first step into the world of computing in a setting that is welcoming, informal, and fun.

We provide volunteering opportunities that build skills and confidence, support neurodivergent visitors through accessible programming, and offer a place where people of all ages can understand and enjoy the technology that shapes modern life. Visitors to the centre also contribute £410,019 annually to the local economy, demonstrating the cultural and economic value of a strong community museum.

However, our current home - an old car showroom on the Coldhams Road industrial estate - places real limits on what we can offer and is potentially threatened by EWR development. Designed as a temporary solution when we opened in 2013, the building is now at capacity. It lacks the environmental controls needed to protect our nationally important collections long‑term, provides limited accessibility, and is difficult for many residents and visitors to reach. The industrial estate setting also restricts our visibility and our ability to serve as the welcoming cultural venue our community deserves.

To unlock our full potential, CCH now needs a new building in a more accessible, better‑connected location: one that allows us to expand our education programmes, grow our community offer, and properly safeguard our collection for generations to come. With strategic investment and partnership, we can create a world‑class museum and community resource that truly reflects Cambridge’s remarkable contribution to global innovation.