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As well as some wonderful creative workshops for you to release your own artistic endeavours, there are also a large number of museums and galleries in Oxford to visit and become even more inspired.

Museums and Galleries in Oxford to Visit

Ashmolean Museum

Established in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is the oldest museum in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. It houses the University’s extensive collections of art and antiquities, ranging back over four millennia.

Location: Beaumont Street

Open: 10:00 – 17:00 daily

Charge: Admission is free; special exhibitions are ticketed and a charge may apply

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The University Museum of Natural History houses the University’s collections of zoological, entomological, paleontological and mineral specimens. With 4.5 million specimens it is the largest collection of its type outside of the national collections.

Location: Parks Road

Open: 10:00 – 17:00 daily

Charge: Admission is free

History of Science Museum

The History of Science Museum is housed in the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built museum building. It contains the world’s finest collection of historic scientific instruments.

Location: Broad Street

Open: Tue-Sun 12.00-17.00.

Charge: Admission is free

Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum holds one of the world’s finest collections of anthropology and archaeology, with objects from every continent and from throughout human history.

Location: Parks Road (enter via the Oxford University Museum of Natural History)

Open: Tue-Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays: 10.00-16.30; Mon 12.00-16.30. Check Museum website for Christmas and Easter opening times

Charge: Admission is free

Bate Collection of Musical Instruments

The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments celebrates the history and development of the musical instruments of the Western Classical tradition, from the medieval period to present day.

Location: Faculty of Music, St Aldate’s

Open: Mon-Fri 14.00-17.00, Sat (term time only) 10.00-12.00

Charge: Admission is free

Christ Church Picture Gallery

Christ Church Picture Gallery houses an important collection of 300 Old Master paintings and almost 2,000 drawings in a purpose-built gallery of considerable architectural interest.

Location: Oriel Square

Open: October–May: Mon, Wed–Sat 10:30– 13:00, 14:00–16:30, Sun 14:00–16:30; June: Mon, Wed–Sat 10:30–17:00, Sun 14:00–17:00 July–September: Mon–Sat 10:30–17:00, Sun 14:00 – 17:00

Please note that the Gallery is closed on Tuesdays from October to June

Charge: Adults £4, students, children, seniors £2; members of the University free. Visitors who have purchased an entrance ticket for Christ Church are entitled to a 50% reduction on the Gallery entrance charge. All groups should book in advance.

Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Britain, and forms the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the world.

Location: High Street

Open: Daily from 9:00, seasonal closing times, last admission 45 minutes before closing time.

Charge: Adult day ticket from £5.45, concession day ticket from £4. Annual season tickets are available. Free to children under 16 (when accompanied by a paying adult), registered disabled visitors and their carers, University and OUP employees, Oxford and Oxford Brookes students (proof of ID required).

Modern Art Oxford

Founded in 1965, the Modern Art Oxford is the South East’s leading centre for modern and contemporary art. Cafe and Museum Shop.

Location: Pembroke Street

Open: Tues – Sat 11am – 6pm (bar open late on event nights only), Sun 12pm – 5pm. Closed Mondays.

Charge: Admission is free

Oxford University Press Museum

This small museum preserves and displays historic books, documents and printing equipment of the Oxford University Press, an international publishing house which is also a department of the University of Oxford.

Location: Great Clarendon Street

Open: 30 minute tours by appointment only between 10am – 4pm. Call for an appointment.

Charge: Free Admission

Old Fire Station

An arts centre in the heart of Oxford, showcasing the best of local and international performance and artwork, which takes a risk and entertains.

Location: George Street

Open: The ticket office is open 11am – 6pm, Monday – Saturday.

Charge: All exhibitions are free

The Jam Factory

The Jam Factory serves a dual purpose – both as a bar/restaurant and as a creative hub – playing host to various artistic groups, with regularly changing exhibitions throughout the year and an exciting program of events and classes.

Location: Hollybush Row

Open: 8am- 11pm Monday – Thursday, 8am – 12am Friday – Saturday , 8am – 10pm Sunday

Which of the museums and galleries in Oxford would you love to visit?

Let me know in the comments.