Culture & history / Oxford
The Ashmolean Museum
Britain's first public museum — a world-class, free collection from antiquities to European painting and Asian and Islamic art.
Plan this experience01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
A world-class free museum ranging across antiquities, European painting and Asian and Islamic art — and one of Oxford's best rainy-day plans.
Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean is the University of Oxford's museum of art and archaeology and Britain's first public museum. Its present Greek Revival building on Beaumont Street, designed by Charles Cockerell and built 1841–1845, holds collections spanning ancient Egypt, Greece and the Near East through to European painting and Asian and Islamic art. It is one of Oxford's great free days out and a reliable rainy-day plan — large enough to reward a focused visit to two or three departments rather than a dash through everything.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
Britain's first public museum, founded in 1683; the present Greek Revival building on Beaumont Street was designed by Charles Cockerell and built 1841–1845.
- 02
Free general admission; some special exhibitions are ticketed.
- 03
Collections span ancient Egypt, Greece and the Near East through European painting to Asian and Islamic art.
- 04
Signature objects include the Alfred Jewel, the plastered Jericho Skull, the Sumerian King List and Old Master drawings by Michelangelo and Raphael.
- 05
A rooftop restaurant tops the museum; allow 1.5–3 hours.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 1683.
- Built
- founded 1683; present building 1841–1845
- Architect
- Charles Cockerell
- Style
- Greek Revival
04 / Before you go
Plan it well.
Enjoy it properly.
Practical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.
Tickets & entry
Free general admission; some special exhibitions are ticketed. Confirm current details on the official site.
Opening hours
Daily 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45); free entry. Confirm on the official site.
Booking
No booking needed for the permanent collections; special exhibitions may require tickets — check the official site.
Access
Step-free access and lifts to all floors; a hearing loop is available at reception. Confirm current provision on the official site.
Continue exploring / Oxford
What will you
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Questions,
answered.
01Is the Ashmolean Museum free?
Yes — general admission is free and no booking is needed for the permanent collections. Some special exhibitions are ticketed.
02How long do you need at the Ashmolean?
Allow 1.5–3 hours. It is large, so it rewards focusing on two or three departments rather than rushing everything.
03What are the must-see objects at the Ashmolean?
The Alfred Jewel, the Jericho Skull, the Sumerian King List, ancient Egyptian collections, and Old Master drawings by Michelangelo and Raphael.