The Gurney Room Exhibition

The Gurney Exhibition is a ‘Re-imagining Sir Goldsworthy Gurney’ from the original exhibition. Sir Goldsworthy Gurney designed and built The Castle in 1830. He was a Victorian scientist, inventor and engineer, whose achievements have been largely forgotten by society. Since opening as a Heritage Centre in 2007, The Castle has had a permanent exhibition celebrating Gurney’s many inventions and ideas. We wanted to bring Gurney’s key inventions to life, as well as inspire the next generation of scientists and inventors. As well as give an insight into Gurney’s personality and inspiration.

The exhibition has three themed areas, explaining Gurney’s key experiments with creating a steam driven carriage, his experiments with light, and the steam jet. They show the main ideas that formed the basis of many of Gurney’s most significant inventions.   Three new interactives engage with the viewer to bring his ideas to life. The first being a screen based design incorporating physical knobs to turn, demonstrates Gurney’s experiments with hydrogen, oxygen and lime to create a bright light. Another interactive explains Gurneys idea for lighthouses to have separate flashing sequences, which engages young and older minds alike to have fun with Gurney’s creations. An element of fun runs throughout the whole exhibition. One of the most engaging elements being a telephone hotline to Scotland Yard, as could be found in the base of the Bude Light in Trafalgar square.

The Gurney Room is open all year round from 10am until closing. It is free entry and can be found on the first floor.