Oxford University Museum of Natural History
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Parks Road is a free museum housed in one of the city's most striking Victorian buildings. Under a glass and wrought-iron roof you will find dinosaur skeletons, the remains of the Oxford Dodo and vast scientific collections, with the Pitt Rivers Museum through a doorway at the back.
Photos
Joshua Davis
The building
Founded in 1860 as a centre for science at the university, the museum was designed by Benjamin Woodward following the ideas of John Ruskin. The central court is covered by a roof of glass and iron worked into branches and leaves, and each stone column is cut from a different British rock. Statues of scientists from Aristotle to Darwin line the court.
The collections
The best-known exhibit is the Oxford Dodo, a skull and foot considered the most complete dodo remains anywhere. Dinosaur fossils include finds from Oxfordshire, and the wider collections run to hundreds of thousands of fossils, zoological specimens and minerals, including meteorites and gemstones, plus millions of insects.
Making a visit
Entry is free, and so is the Pitt Rivers Museum at the rear, so it is easy to combine both in a morning or afternoon. It suits families, rainy days and anyone interested in architecture as much as science. Afterwards, walk to the King's Arms or the cafes on Broad Street, or head into the University Parks behind. Give yourself at least an hour or two, and longer if you plan to see the Pitt Rivers collections properly too.
Highlights
- Free entry
- Oxford Dodo remains
- Dinosaur fossils, including Oxfordshire finds
- Glass and iron Gothic Revival court
- Pitt Rivers Museum at the rear
Good to know
- Admission is free, as is the Pitt Rivers Museum next door.
- Allow time for both museums; they share the building.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: britainexpress.com