Description
You can enter the Pitt Rivers Museum through Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History.
Both of these museums are free to enter; a voluntary donation is asked for.
Take a Look
Our Review
We visited the Natural History Museum in London only last year, and so not having seen photos of Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History, I’m not sure what I was expecting.
Perhaps I was expecting a typical museum, with rows of items in cases. However, after prying open the huge wooden doors at the entrance of the grand building, we were met with a sight that surpassed the famous Kensington’s building’s entrance hall.
The Museum of Natural History is very impressive
Wow!
Wow! We weren’t expecting this inside the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
The massive hall, constructed out of stone and metalwork, has a high glass ceiling. Standing on the floor, are full-size creatures, from prehistoric to those found alive today.
Including the iconic Tyranasauraous Rex.
What Natural History Museum wouldn’t be without a T-Rex. Getting up close showed just how fierce this dinosaur would have been to face.
We visited on a Saturday in February and the museum was packed. Families were making their own way around, on a guided tour, or children going around completing a booklet of questions and things to find that the museum provides.
There were many exhibits that were casts of specimens, with signs encouraging children to touch and get engaged. However, there were other exhibits within reach that had small signs saying do not touch. This was the one thing that let the museum down, as it was confusing to kids (and us parents!) what could and couldn’t be touched. It wasn’t always obvious.
There are lots of exhibits showing the natural world, both past and present. The kids can get hands-on with some.
The Pitt Rivers Museum
Connected to the Oxford University of Natural History is the Pitt Rivers Museum.
Once again, we went through huge wooden doors to reveal another sight we weren’t expecting, and another “Wow”!
This is the hall of the Pitt Rivers Museum. It’s a treasure trove of items from nearly every culture in the world.
It would be easy to imagine the Pitt Rivers Museum as the treasured collections from Indiana Jones. The museum is packed floor to ceiling with items from civilisations all over the world, from ‘death heads’ to clothes and costumes.
Everywhere you looked, that was something else to see.
Unnoticed by us at first was a huge totem pole that spans floor to ceiling. This thing was massive!
This totem pole was massive. I never realised they could be this big.
Planning your visit
Facilities
Toilets
Pushchair Friendly
Accessible
Cafe
There are lifts to get wheelchairs and pushchairs to the upper floors.
There is a cafe on the first floor of the Museum of Natural History.
Prices
Free admission. Donations are welcome.
How to get here
Here’s where you can find Oxford University Museum of Natural History & the Pitt Rivers Museum.
Directions
There is Pay and Display parking close to the Museum on Mansfield Road, Keble Road and Blackhall Road. View fees and locations.
There are five Park and Ride car parks (on the A40 at Headington; Redbridge, Abingdon Road, near Kennington; Pear Tree Roundabout, Woodstock Road; Water Eaton, Banbury Road, Kidlington; and Seacourt at Botley). The main car park for the city is at the Westgate.
Contact Details
Reviews
Nearby Places
Browse the map below to find places near to Oxford University Museum of Natural History & the Pitt Rivers Museum. Remember, you can save any place to your Adventure Planner, helping you plan your trip.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire 0 mi
Oxford Castle & Prison 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford, Oxfordshire 0.58 mi
Oxford Camping and Caravanning Club Site, 426 Abingdon Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire 1.85 mi
Farmer Gows, Fernham Road, Longcot, Oxfordshire 17.41 mi
