@openhouselondon @HistoricEngland @lb_southwark

Beautiful period advert for a Denison & Son Wire Tester and very similar to one of our many working material testing machines. Book a tour of the world’s oldest material testing house located in London SE1.

Discover the history behind why this motto is carved above our door. Located at 99 Southwark Street, London SE1 since 1874 we are the only museum dedicated to destruction.

Ever wondered what’s underneath your feet in London. This is Southwark Street, SE1. Book a tour to another world, the 1st ever Independent Material Testing House.

The mark of David Kirkaldy’s Testing Works Works where “Facts Not Opinions” prevailed.

The wonderful world of material testing. Picture shows load testing of Hammersmith Public Baths & Wash-house, known as Lime Grove Baths, ballast bags were used in the roof then the deflection was checked & recorded by Kirkaldy’s.

Researching at the British Library to support why we have the words “Facts Not Opinions” carved above the door of our museum.

Don't read our 5 Star reviews on TripAdvisor, book a tour and experience it yourself. We are the world's oldest independent material testing house, founded in 1874, based in London SE1, with a fully working 116 ton, 47' 7" (14.5 m) long, water powered universal testing machine.

Great to be mentioned in December’s issue of “Welding & Joining Matters” (@WeldingInst ) and their fascinating in-depth article on Hammersmith Bridge and how they carried out a “desk study” using Kirkaldy’s detailed archives.

Today’s mild steel sample is loaded in our 151 year old Universal Testing Machine. What load will it take today to break ?

David Kirkaldy's skills as a draughtsman are highlighted in this beautiful ink drawing of a locomotive engine. Come learn more about this fascinating Scottish engineer, his moto 'Facts Not Opinions' & how he & his family changed the world we live in.

If you enjoy history, engineering, science or just like breaking things and have spare time please contact us, we are always looking for both front of house or behind the scene volunteers to help tell the Kirkaldy story or maintain and service our wondrous machines and artefacts

Great to be featured in the 'London's Industrial Archaeology No 23', produced by the wonderful Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society. Kirkaldy volunteer Jane carefully transcribed the hand written diary of WG Kirkaldy, founder David's son, fascinating European travels.

Kirkaldy’s Testing Works museum are proudly participating in London's @openhouselondon Festival 2025. Please find all your 'Drop in'🎟️ details here for Saturday 20th September 10:30 - 14:30. @southbanklondon @lb_southwark @HistoricEngland programme.openhouse.org.uk/l…

Kirkaldy’s Testing Works is proud to be part of this year’s City of London Open House Festival and our doors will be on Saturday 20th September. programme.openhouse.org.uk/l…

Kirkaldy's Testing Works Museum, located in London SE1 are looking for volunteers. Do you have a passion for engineering, science or just breaking things, if so please contact us for more details.

Historical pictures of Kirkaldy's Testing Works, London SE1. The top floor was called "The Museum of Fractures" where detailed samples from the Testing Works were kept for continuous reference. The middle floor was a storage room for spares and samples, what can you spot?

Now and then at Kirkaldy's Testing Works, 151 years of history in London SE1. Are we a museum or a worksop frozen in time, come and discover the great engineer behind 'Facts Not Opinions' and how we are the world's oldest independent materials testing house.