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Retro Computer Museum

About

Retro Computer Museum in Leicestershire is a paradise for anyone fascinated by the evolution of home computing, gaming, and digital technology. Run by passionate volunteers, it preserves and celebrates machines that shaped the early decades of the digital age. What makes the museum special is its hands‑on approach: most of the computers are fully operational, allowing visitors to experience them exactly as users did decades ago. Inside, the collection spans more than 40 years of computing history. You’ll find iconic systems such as the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, Amiga, Atari ST, and early Apple machines. Many are set up with original software, from classic games to educational programs and early productivity tools. The console section includes favourites like the NES, SNES, Mega Drive, PlayStation, and more, offering a nostalgic journey through gaming milestones. The museum also showcases rare and unusual hardware: prototypes, obscure systems, and machines from companies that once competed fiercely for market dominance. Exhibits explore the rise of home coding, the birth of 3D graphics, and the transition from floppy disks to modern storage.

Leicester United Kingdom
Retro Computer Museum
Location

The Retro Computer Museum is a dedicated, hands-on interactive museum celebrating the history of home computing and video gaming. Run by volunteers, the venue houses classic arcade cabinets, early home computers, and retro consoles that visitors can actually play. It is located in an industrial park in the village of Thurmaston, just northeast of Leicester city center. The full address is Unit Q, Troon Way Business Centre, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, LE4 9HA. The surrounding area offers a great mix of green spaces, industrial history, and family attractions just a short drive away. Right nearby, you can explore Watermead Country Park, a beautiful nature reserve featuring lakes, woodland walks, and birdwatching paths. Just a couple of miles to the southwest, along the River Soar, sits the National Space Centre, an iconic museum featuring rocket towers and a planetarium. Right next door to it is the Abbey Pumping Station Museum, a grand Victorian building displaying steam-powered beam engines and transport heritage. Nearby, Belgrave Hall offers a look at 18th-century architecture set within peaceful walled gardens. Heading further south into Leicester city center brings you to major historical landmarks such as Leicester Cathedral, the King Richard III Visitor Centre, the Medieval Guildhall, and the ancient ruins of Leicester Castle.

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