The Clockworks
Museum of electric clocks and networked time in West Norwood, with a working clock conservation workshop; visits by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Clockworks grew out of the private collection of the horologist Dr James Nye, who began collecting electric clocks in the late 1970s. For years he kept the collection in his family home on Chestnut Road in West Norwood, which visitors entered through the front door. In 2012 he bought the ground floor of a converted Victorian industrial building on Nettlefold Place and fitted it out as a purpose-built museum.
The open-plan space brings together a museum collection, a library, a conservation workshop and a charity. The collection follows the development of electrical timekeeping and the distribution of accurate time from 1840 to about 1970, including institutional clock systems that show the same time in many places. Freelance conservators work at benches in the workshop and care for the clocks.
The collection is held by a charitable trust. The museum offers visits by appointment on weekdays, a curator's talk on Fridays, group tours and public events.
Highlights
- More than 100 electric clocks and timekeeping objects from 1840 to about 1970
- Working clock and watch conservation workshop in view
- Horology library
- Weekly curator's talk on Fridays
- Founded
- 2012
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free; places for events and open afternoons must be booked in advance.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Children are welcome in the gallery; an open afternoon in July 2026 offered arts and crafts and a family trail.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
West Norwood station · 3-min walk
West Norwood station is a short walk away (about 3 minutes according to an event listing).
The entrance is the door marked number 6 in Nettlefold Place; visitors enter by buzzer.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visitors can come alone or in a group. Group tours for ten or more people usually last about 90 minutes. The library can be used by researchers who arrange a time with the museum. |
