Abstract: Freeze drying apparatus is described, the freeze drying apparatus comprising freezing apparatus for freezing a liquid component of a sample into a solid, a mobile drying chamber for receiving samples from the freezing apparatus, a condensation chamber comprising a condenser, a condenser conduit system comprising an outlet connected to the condensation chamber, an inlet for connection to the drying chamber, and an isolation valve for selectively isolating the inlet from the outlet, an evacuation system for evacuating the drying chamber, and a thermal control system for controlling the temperature of the samples located within the drying chamber. The drying chamber is moveable between a first location at which samples are transferred from the freezing apparatus to the chamber, and a second location at which the chamber is connected to the inlet of the condenser conduit system.