Culture & history / Oxford
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
A soaring Victorian court of dinosaur skeletons and the famous Oxford dodo remains — free to enter.
Plan this experience01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
A soaring Victorian iron-and-glass court full of dinosaur skeletons, the famous Oxford Dodo and the site of the 1860 evolution debate — a free day out that thrills all ages.
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History opened in 1860 in a landmark neo-Gothic building on Parks Road, built around a spectacular iron-and-glass central court. It holds internationally important zoological, geological and palaeontological collections — over seven million specimens — displayed beneath a suspended blue whale skeleton and among dinosaur skeletons. It is home to the famous Oxford Dodo, the world's most complete dodo remains, and was the setting of the celebrated 1860 Huxley–Wilberforce debate on evolution. Entry is free, and the Pitt Rivers Museum is reached through the back of the court.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
Opened in 1860 in a landmark neo-Gothic building on Parks Road, built around an iron-and-glass central court.
- 02
Free admission; holds over seven million zoological, geological and palaeontological specimens.
- 03
Home to the Oxford Dodo — the world's most complete dodo remains — and dinosaur skeletons including a T. rex cast.
- 04
A blue whale skeleton hangs above the court, alongside ichthyosaurs collected by Mary Anning.
- 05
Setting of the celebrated 1860 Huxley–Wilberforce debate on evolution; the Pitt Rivers Museum is reached through the back of the court.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 1860.
- Built
- 1860
- Architect
- Thomas Newenham Deane & Benjamin Woodward
- Style
- Victorian neo-Gothic
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; no ticket required. 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 general entry.
Access
Step-free access with lifts; free handheld audio guides in several languages. Confirm current provision on the official site.
Continue exploring / Oxford
What will you
do next?
Compare the practical essentials first, then open the experiences that earn a place in your plans.
Oxford experienceBodleian Library guided tourTimeTours run roughly 30–90 minutesExplore experience →
Oxford experienceHistory of Science MuseumTimeAllow 45–90 minutesExplore experience →
Oxford experiencePitt Rivers MuseumTimeAllow 1–2 hoursExplore experience →
Oxford experiencePunt the CherwellTimeAllow 1–2 hours on the waterExplore experience →
Oxford experienceSheldonian Theatre & cupola climbTimeAllow 45–60 minutes including the cupola climbExplore experience →
Oxford experienceThe Ashmolean MuseumTimeAllow 1.5–3 hoursExplore experience →
Oxford experienceThe Bridge of SighsTimeA 5–10 minute photo stopExplore experience →
Oxford experienceThe Radcliffe CameraTime10–15 minutes to admireExplore experience →
Oxford experienceThe Weston LibraryTimeAllow 30–60 minutesExplore experience →05 / Good to know
Questions,
answered.
01Is the Museum of Natural History free?
Yes — free general admission, with no ticket required.
02What can you see there?
Dinosaur skeletons, a suspended blue whale, the famous Oxford Dodo remains, and minerals and gems — all under a Victorian iron-and-glass roof.
03Is it good for children?
Yes — the dinosaurs, whale skeleton and hands-on natural history make it a family favourite, and it is free.