List of museums in Oxford facts for kids

Oxford is a famous city in England, known for its amazing university. But did you know it's also packed with fantastic museums and art galleries? These places are perfect for exploring history, science, art, and even musical instruments! Many of them are run by the University of Oxford itself, offering incredible collections for everyone to enjoy.

The main entrance of the Ashmolean Museum in central Oxford.

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History viewed from Museum Road.

Discover Oxford's Amazing Museums and Galleries

Oxford has a wonderful variety of places where you can learn new things and see incredible collections. Here are some of the top spots:

Art and History Museums

• Ashmolean Museum (on Beaumont Street): This is the world's first university museum! It's full of art and archaeology from all over the globe, from ancient Egypt to modern paintings. You can see everything from mummies to famous drawings.
• Christ Church Picture Gallery (at Christ Church): If you love art, this gallery has a beautiful collection of old master paintings. You can see works by famous artists from centuries ago.
• Modern Art Oxford (on Pembroke Street): This gallery shows exciting new art from today's artists. It's a great place to see what's happening in the art world right now.
• Museum of Oxford (at the Town Hall): This museum tells the story of Oxford itself. You can learn about the city's past, its people, and how it grew over hundreds of years.
• Oxford Castle – Unlocked (on New Road): Step back in time at Oxford Castle! You can explore the old castle, climb the Saxon tower, and even go into the historic prison. It's a fun way to experience medieval history.
• The Story Museum (on Pembroke Street): This museum is all about stories! It celebrates reading, writing, and imagination. You can explore different worlds and enjoy interactive exhibits that bring stories to life.

Science and Special Collections

• Bate Collection of Musical Instruments (on St Aldate's): Are you interested in music? This collection has hundreds of musical instruments, especially wind instruments. You can see how instruments have changed over time.
• Museum of the History of Science (on Broad Street): This museum is packed with old scientific instruments. You can see early telescopes, microscopes, and other tools that helped scientists make amazing discoveries.
• Oxford University Museum of Natural History (on Parks Road): Get ready to see dinosaurs, dodos, and all sorts of animals! This museum has incredible collections of natural history, including fossils, skeletons, and insects.
• Pitt Rivers Museum (in the Science Area): Located right next to the Natural History Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum has amazing objects from cultures all around the world. It's like a treasure chest of human history and creativity.
• Science Oxford (on St Clement's): This center is all about making science fun and hands-on! You can try out experiments and explore scientific ideas in an exciting way.

Unique and University Spots

• MINI Museum at the Visitor-Centre in MINI Plant Oxford: If you love cars, you can visit the MINI factory's visitor center. You'll learn about the history of the famous MINI car and how it's made.
• Oxford University Press Museum (on Great Clarendon Street): This museum tells the story of one of the world's oldest and largest university presses. You can learn about printing and publishing books.
• Weston Library (on Broad Street): While mainly a library, the Weston Library often has exhibitions. You can see rare books, manuscripts, and other special items from the University's collections.

Many of these fantastic museums, like the Ashmolean and the Natural History Museum, are part of the University of Oxford. This means they are connected to the university's long history of learning and research.

Want to Explore More?

• List of attractions in Oxford
• List of museums in Oxfordshire
• List of museums in Cambridge
• Virtual Library museums pages (VLmp), started at Oxford University