List of museums in Oxfordshire facts for kids
Oxfordshire is a county in England with many amazing museums! Museums are special places where cool old things, art, scientific stuff, or historical items are kept and shown to everyone. They help us learn about the past, different cultures, and how the world works. This list will tell you about some of the exciting museums you can visit in Oxfordshire.
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Museums in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is home to a wide variety of museums. You can explore everything from ancient history and art to old cars and musical instruments. There are also many historic houses that let you step back in time!
History and Local Life Museums
These museums focus on the history of towns, villages, and the people who lived there.
- The Abingdon County Hall Museum in Abingdon tells the story of local history, archaeology, and even shows contemporary crafts.
- Banbury Museum explores the history of Banbury town.
- Bloxham Village Museum in Bloxham shares the local history and culture of the village.
- The Burford Tolsey Museum in Burford teaches about local history, culture, and industries.
- Champs Chapel Museum of East Hendred focuses on the history of East Hendred.
- Charlbury Museum in Charlbury showcases local history, old tools, costumes, and household items.
- Chipping Norton Museum covers local history, archaeology, farming, and industry in Chipping Norton.
- The Churchill & Sarsden Heritage Centre shares the local history of Churchill.
- The Dorchester Abbey Museum in Dorchester tells the story of Dorchester Abbey and the local area.
- The Museum of Oxford in Oxford explores the history of Oxford city and the famous University of Oxford. It also has exhibits on geology, natural history, and archaeology.
- The Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock covers local history, popular culture, arts, crafts, archaeology, and natural history. It even has a garden with a life-size Megalosaurus dinosaur!
- Swinford Museum in Filkins displays old domestic, farming, trade, and craft tools.
- Thame Museum in Thame features local history and amazing Tudor wall paintings.
- Tom Brown's School Museum in Uffington shares local history, archaeology, and information about famous writers like Thomas Hughes. It also covers the famous Uffington White Horse.
- The Vale and Downland Museum in Wantage tells the history of the Vale of White Horse area. It has art exhibits, a large model railway, and a Victorian kitchen.
- Wallingford Museum in Wallingford focuses on local history, archaeology, and the medieval life around Wallingford Castle. It even has a Victorian street scene!
- Witney and District Museum in Witney covers local history, industry, transport, education, and religion.
Art and Culture Museums
These museums are perfect for art lovers and those interested in different cultures.
- The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is a famous Oxford University museum. It has amazing collections of art, ancient objects, archaeology, and artifacts from Ancient Egypt, the Mediterranean, and the Near East.
- The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments in Oxford is another Oxford University museum. It has a fantastic collection of historic musical instruments, mostly for Western classical music, from medieval times onwards.
- The Christ Church Picture Gallery in Oxford is an art museum at Christ Church. It features beautiful Old Master paintings and drawings.
- Modern Art Oxford in Oxford hosts exciting modern art exhibitions.
- The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford is an Oxford University museum with archaeological and ethnographic objects from all over the world. It includes musical instruments, weapons, masks, textiles, and jewellery.
- The Story Museum in Oxford is a fun place dedicated to children's literature.
- West Oxfordshire Arts in Bampton is an association of artists and art lovers with a gallery in Bampton Town Hall.
Science and Nature Museums
Discover the wonders of science and the natural world at these museums.
- The Earth Trust Centre in Little Wittenham focuses on landscape ecology and conservation in the area.
- The Museum of the History of Science in Oxford is an Oxford University museum located in the Old Ashmolean building. It has a collection of historic scientific instruments.
- The Oxford University Museum of Natural History in Oxford is an Oxford University museum with amazing displays of animals, insects, fossils, dinosaurs, rocks, and minerals.
- Science Oxford in Oxford explores the connections between science, business, and society.
Historic Homes and Palaces
Step back in time and explore grand houses and beautiful gardens. Many of these are operated by the National Trust.
- Ashdown House in Ashbury is a 17th-century country house operated by the National Trust.
- Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is an opulent 17th-century country house with collections of fine art. It's also the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
- Broughton Castle in Broughton is a medieval manor house.
- Buscot Park in Faringdon is an 18th-century country house with an ornate interior and an art collection, operated by the National Trust.
- Chastleton House in Chastleton is a 17th-century Jacobean country house, operated by the National Trust.
- Greys Court in Rotherfield Greys is a Tudor country house and gardens, operated by the National Trust.
- Kelmscott Manor in Kelmscott is a late 16th-century country house. Its interior was designed by its owner, the famous artist William Morris.
- Mapledurham House in Mapledurham is an Elizabethan stately home. Its grounds include the historic Mapledurham Watermill.
- Nuffield Place in Nuffield is the 20th-century home of Lord Nuffield, who founded the Morris Motor Company. It's operated by the National Trust.
- Stonor Park in Stonor is a country house with beautiful gardens. It features family portraits, stained glass, old Master Drawings, and sculptures.
Transport and Industry Museums
If you love vehicles, trains, or learning how things were made, these museums are for you!
- The Aston Martin Heritage Trust Museum in Drayton St. Leonard showcases Aston Martin cars and their history.
- The Benson Veteran Cycle Museum in Benson has veteran and vintage cycles from 1818 to 1930. You usually need to book an appointment to visit.
- Cogges Manor Farm Museum in Witney is a Victorian-era farm with a historic house.
- Combe Mill in Combe is a preserved beam engine and timber mill.
- The Didcot Railway Centre in Didcot has railway engines and an outdoor track where you can see them in action.
- Hook Norton Brewery in Hook Norton offers brewery tours and has a museum about how beer is made.
- Mapledurham Watermill in Mapledurham is an 18th-century watermill located on the grounds of Mapledurham House.
- The Oxford Bus Museum in Long Hanborough has a collection of buses, road transport, and even Morris Motors Limited automobiles.
- Oxford Castle – Unlocked in Oxford offers guided tours of the crypt, castle, and an 18th-century prison. You can see prison artifacts too!
- The Oxford University Press Museum in Oxford is an Oxford University museum that explores the history of printing and publishing.
- Pendon Museum in Long Wittenham features amazing model railways that show typical scenes from the Great Western Railway in the 1920s.
- The River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames covers the River Thames, the sport of rowing, and the town of Henley.
- The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock shows how conflicts affected the county, including WWII airfields and home life during wartime.
- Swalcliffe Barn in Swalcliffe is a 15th-century tithe barn with a collection of old farming and trade vehicles.
- Waterperry Gardens in Waterperry has beautiful gardens, a country life museum, and a Saxon church.
- The Williams F1 Grand Prix Collection in Grove is part of the Williams F1 Conference Centre. It has Formula One racing cars and tells the history of the WilliamsF1 racing team. You can take tours on certain dates.
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List of museums in Oxfordshire Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.