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Next Events

  • 14th May

    Lunchtime Talk: ‘Lost in the Woods: The story of Slade Camp’
  • 16th May

    Movers & Shakers
  • 17th May

    Inside the Oxford Town Hall
  • 17th May

    Stories of Oxford tours: A History of Oxford in 6 Objects

    • MOX Highlights

    The main gallery at the Museum of Oxford, showing open display objects and objects in display cases. The large 'The Allied Arms' pub sign can be seen, as well displays on Roman pottery, pubs in Oxford and the Cutteslowe Walls.

    Visiting

    Get ready to discover Oxford’s history at the Museum of Oxford (MOX). We’re open Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm. There’s no fixed charge for entry, simply pay what you can by donation. Groups of 10 or more people should book their visit in advance.

    Plan your visit
    A sign pointing towards the accessible level entrance at Oxford Town Hall.

    Access

    We are committed to supporting everyone’s access needs at the Museum of Oxford and are wheelchair accessible. Find out everything you need to know ahead of your visit, including information about step-free and wheelchair access, large print guides, sensory resources and a visual story to aid your visit.

    Access at the Museum
    Four people work on a white section of the quilt laid out on a table, using paint and cardboard printing. One of them has medium-length auburn hair, the other has long dark hair and wears a green bandanna. A third person close to them has brown hair in a ponytail, a striped red and white dress and a dark blue shirt. In front of them, a fourth person has cropped brown hair and a white t-shirt.

    Our 50th Birthday

    MOX has been telling the story of Oxford and its people since it first opened its doors in 1975. In 2025, we are celebrating 50 years of MOX with a very special programme – everyone is invited!

    Join the celebrations
    Close-up of intricately carved wooden wall brackets on display in the museum. The brackets are carved with highly detailed faces.

    MOX Online

    Explore Oxford’s history from anywhere in the world with our online resources. Discover stories from Oxford’s communities, dig deeper into Oxford’s past and explore highlight objects from the Museum of Oxford collection.

    Discover the history of Oxford
    A family engage with the Museum's archaeological dig pit interactive, excavating archaeological items hidden beneath imitation dirt with plastic trowels.

    Community and Learning

    Our museum is by the people of Oxford, for the people of Oxford. We work closely with Oxford’s communities to co-curate the stories we tell and offer learning and engagement programmes for schools, older adults, families and the wider community.

    Community and Learning at the Museum of Oxford
    The Museum Makers space, a large room, set up carousel-style tables with four large tables and chairs around them. Along the back wall are colourful drawers and open display objects.

    Venue hire

    Hold your next meeting, community gathering, private event or class surrounded by Oxford’s history in our modern and accessible spaces. Hire of our spaces directly supports our work with Oxford’s communities to protect, preserve and share Oxford’s heritage.

    Hire our spaces

    What was life like in Oxford during Shakespeare’s lifetime? And what are the connections between the Bard and the city of dreaming spires?

    Our brand-new Shakespeare-themed walking tour explores a fascinating period in Oxford’s history, taking in Elizabethan and Jacobean details you might pass by every day. Want to know more about Elizabethan eating and drinking, entertainment and travel? Or the rollercoaster of religious change in Tudor and Stuart England? Led by historian Dr Elizabeth Sandis, this is the MOX Walk for you!

    The tour includes a unique Tudor bedroom above Cornmarket Street, the famous Painted Room which will be kindly opened by @oxfordprestrust just for us!

    👉 23 April, 31 May, 12 July, 16 August
    👉 2pm
    👉 £15 per person

    🎫 Book now at the #LinkInBio

    #MuseumOfOxford #MOXWalks #MOX50 #Oxford #Shakespeare

    [Video description: Dr Elizabeth Sandis speaks to the camera in front of St John’s College in Oxford, wearing a dress with a navy, yellow, and light blue floral pattern. When she talks about King James, a portrait of him appears, with illustrated opera glasses and a stylised red beating heart. At the end of the video, there is a panning shot of the Oxford skyline, with text that reads “MOX 50 Walks – Shakespeare and Oxford – Book now!”]

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    What was life like in Oxford during Shakespeare’s lifetime? And what are the connections between the Bard and the city of dreaming spires? Our brand-new Shakespeare-themed walking tour explores a fascinating period in Oxford’s history, taking in Elizabethan and Jacobean details you might pass by every day. Want to know more about Elizabethan eating and drinking, entertainment and travel? Or the rollercoaster of religious change in Tudor and Stuart England? Led by historian Dr Elizabeth Sandis, this is the MOX Walk for you! The tour includes a unique Tudor bedroom above Cornmarket Street, the famous Painted Room which will be kindly opened by @oxfordprestrust just for us! 👉 23 April, 31 May, 12 July, 16 August 👉 2pm 👉 £15 per person 🎫 Book now at the #LinkInBio #MuseumOfOxford #MOXWalks #MOX50 #Oxford #Shakespeare [Video description: Dr Elizabeth Sandis speaks to the camera in front of St John’s College in Oxford, wearing a dress with a navy, yellow, and light blue floral pattern. When she talks about King James, a portrait of him appears, with illustrated opera glasses and a stylised red beating heart. At the end of the video, there is a panning shot of the Oxford skyline, with text that reads “MOX 50 Walks – Shakespeare and Oxford – Book now!”]

    🎨 🥚 Calling all budding artists and designers – this is not your average Easter egg hunt!

    Join us at MOX as we explore the amazing designs and patterns featured on our objects. Let our galleries inspire you to design your very own egg decoration, handle real historical objects, explore the museum and find all the hidden eggs 🔎

    Tickets are £1.50 per child, available online or from the museum shop. Ages 5+.

    👉 Find out more and book tickets at the #LinkInBio

    #MuseumOfOxford #FamilyFun #EasterHolidays #ThingsToDoWithKids #Museum #Oxford

    [Image description: the words ‘Oxford Egg-stravaganza!’ are written in fuchsia at the top of the image. Eggs with colourful patterns fill an illustrated basket. The MOX 50 1975 – 2025 and National Lottery Heritage Fund logos can be seen at the bottom of the image.]

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    🎨 🥚 Calling all budding artists and designers – this is not your average Easter egg hunt! Join us at MOX as we explore the amazing designs and patterns featured on our objects. Let our galleries inspire you to design your very own egg decoration, handle real historical objects, explore the museum and find all the hidden eggs 🔎 Tickets are £1.50 per child, available online or from the museum shop. Ages 5+. 👉 Find out more and book tickets at the #LinkInBio #MuseumOfOxford #FamilyFun #EasterHolidays #ThingsToDoWithKids #Museum #Oxford [Image description: the words ‘Oxford Egg-stravaganza!’ are written in fuchsia at the top of the image. Eggs with colourful patterns fill an illustrated basket. The MOX 50 1975 – 2025 and National Lottery Heritage Fund logos can be seen at the bottom of the image.]

    SNEAK PEEK at the Oxford’s Queer History walking tour 👀

    We met with tour guide Hannah, who shared a snippet from her walking tour with us🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈

    Find out more about Thomas John Joyce’s extraordinary life, and more stories from Oxford’s LGBTIQA+ community, on Hannah’s next queer history tour.
    Tickets via the #LinkInBio!
    Saturday 19 April, 2pm, £15 per person

    Check out the rest of the Museum of Oxford Walks programme for more tours that will take you off the beaten path and into Oxford’s real history 💚

    #MuseumOfOxford #MuseumOfOxfordWalks #WalkingTours #HistoryTour #CityTour #CityWalk #QueerHistory #CommunityHistory #LocalHistory #Museums #LGBTQIA

    [Video description: Tour guide Hannah stands at a four-way intersection (Carfax) in the centre of Oxford. It`s a sunny day, and there are tall buildings and lots of people in the background. Hannah narrates to the camera in a lively, friendly way.]

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    SNEAK PEEK at the Oxford’s Queer History walking tour 👀 We met with tour guide Hannah, who shared a snippet from her walking tour with us🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 Find out more about Thomas John Joyce’s extraordinary life, and more stories from Oxford’s LGBTIQA+ community, on Hannah’s next queer history tour. Tickets via the #LinkInBio! Saturday 19 April, 2pm, £15 per person Check out the rest of the Museum of Oxford Walks programme for more tours that will take you off the beaten path and into Oxford’s real history 💚 #MuseumOfOxford #MuseumOfOxfordWalks #WalkingTours #HistoryTour #CityTour #CityWalk #QueerHistory #CommunityHistory #LocalHistory #Museums #LGBTQIA [Video description: Tour guide Hannah stands at a four-way intersection (Carfax) in the centre of Oxford. It's a sunny day, and there are tall buildings and lots of people in the background. Hannah narrates to the camera in a lively, friendly way.]

    📣 Calling all budding young actors!

    🌟‘Step into the Spotlight’ is a playful introduction to performing and acting skills. A workshop packed with exciting games, teamwork exercises and drama techniques. Bring your water bottle, get some comfy clothes on and head to MOX to find your inner diva!🎭

    Monday 14 April | Workshops take place at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm and last 60 minutes
    Tickets are £7.50 per child, available online or from the museum shop. Ages 7+.
    🎟️ Book now via the #LinkInBio!
    Booking in advance advised.

    #MuseumOfOxford #FamilyFun #EasterHolidays #ThingsToDoWithKids #Museum #Oxford

    [Image description: A colourful graphic consisting of theatre masks in centre stage. Lights shine on the masks and they are surrounded by red theatre curtains. Text reads `Step into the Spotlight`.]

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    📣 Calling all budding young actors! 🌟‘Step into the Spotlight’ is a playful introduction to performing and acting skills. A workshop packed with exciting games, teamwork exercises and drama techniques. Bring your water bottle, get some comfy clothes on and head to MOX to find your inner diva!🎭 Monday 14 April | Workshops take place at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm and last 60 minutes Tickets are £7.50 per child, available online or from the museum shop. Ages 7+. 🎟️ Book now via the #LinkInBio! Booking in advance advised. #MuseumOfOxford #FamilyFun #EasterHolidays #ThingsToDoWithKids #Museum #Oxford [Image description: A colourful graphic consisting of theatre masks in centre stage. Lights shine on the masks and they are surrounded by red theatre curtains. Text reads 'Step into the Spotlight'.]

    Morris dancers are a familiar sight on the streets of Oxford around this time of year – but how much do you know about this centuries-old artform? 🤔

    If you are curious to learn more, MOX’s April Lunchtime Talk has you covered! Join folk expert Mike Heaney to explore some of the ups and downs of Oxfordshire’s morris history, from a momentous Headington meeting which sparked the folk revival, to tips on spotting the different styles of the teams you might see on the streets of Oxford today – just in time for #MayDay!

    ‘Oxfordshire at the Heart of Morris Dancing’ | Wed 16 April, 1-2pm | Museum of Oxford

    Tickets are available for £5 online via the #LinkInBio (booking fee applies) or at the Museum Shop.

    [Image description: a photo of a morris dancer performing on the street of Oxford. He is dressed in a white shirt, trousers and waistcoat with colourful ribbons tied around his wrists and elbows, and bells tied around his knees. Other dancers dressed in similar attire can be seen in the background. Text reads: ‘Oxfordshire at the Heart of Morris Dancing – Living Heritage in Motion’. The speaker is Mike Heaney and the date is Wednesday 16 April, 1-2pm]

    #Oxford #Oxfordshire #History #LocalHistory #OxfordHistory #MorrisDance #MorrisDancing #MorrisDancer #FolkDance #MorrisDancersOfInstagram #FolkInOxford #OxfordFolk

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    Morris dancers are a familiar sight on the streets of Oxford around this time of year – but how much do you know about this centuries-old artform? 🤔 If you are curious to learn more, MOX’s April Lunchtime Talk has you covered! Join folk expert Mike Heaney to explore some of the ups and downs of Oxfordshire’s morris history, from a momentous Headington meeting which sparked the folk revival, to tips on spotting the different styles of the teams you might see on the streets of Oxford today – just in time for #MayDay! ‘Oxfordshire at the Heart of Morris Dancing’ | Wed 16 April, 1-2pm | Museum of Oxford Tickets are available for £5 online via the #LinkInBio (booking fee applies) or at the Museum Shop. [Image description: a photo of a morris dancer performing on the street of Oxford. He is dressed in a white shirt, trousers and waistcoat with colourful ribbons tied around his wrists and elbows, and bells tied around his knees. Other dancers dressed in similar attire can be seen in the background. Text reads: ‘Oxfordshire at the Heart of Morris Dancing – Living Heritage in Motion’. The speaker is Mike Heaney and the date is Wednesday 16 April, 1-2pm] #Oxford #Oxfordshire #History #LocalHistory #OxfordHistory #MorrisDance #MorrisDancing #MorrisDancer #FolkDance #MorrisDancersOfInstagram #FolkInOxford #OxfordFolk