The observatory was founded under Martin Ryle of the Radio-Astronomy Group of the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge and was opened by Sir Edward Victor Appleton on 25 July 1957.
Observatorium ini didirikan di bawah Martin Ryle dari Radio-Astronomy Group of the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge dan dibuka oleh Sir Edward Victor Appleton pada tanggal 25 Juli 1957.